Fed's Handbook: Don't Mess Up Your Bank Vendor Deals

2026-08298, Regulatory Capital Rule: Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework

Starting July 1, 2026, community banks get a break! The minimum leverage ratio drops from 9% to 8%, making it easier for smaller banks to meet rules. Plus, banks can now stay in this easier framework longer—up to four straight quarters instead of two—helping them manage their money better without rushing.

2026-05960, Regulatory Capital Rules: Regulatory Capital and Standardized Approach for Risk-Weighted Assets

Big banks and community banks are getting new rules to better measure the risks in their loans and investments. The changes update how banks count certain assets and income when figuring out their safety net money, called regulatory capital. These updates aim to make banks safer and smarter with their money, with some rules kicking in soon and affecting how much capital banks need to hold.

2025-21625, Regulatory Capital Rule: Revisions to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework

The government wants to make it easier for small banks to stay in a special low-risk capital program by lowering the required leverage ratio from 9% to 8%. They’re also giving banks more time—up to four quarters instead of two—to fix any issues without losing their spot. Banks and bank holding companies should weigh in by January 30, 2026, as these changes could save them money and reduce red tape.

2025-21626, Regulatory Capital Rule: Modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio Standards for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies and Their Subsidiary Depository Institutions; Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity and Long-Term Debt Requirements for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies

Big U.S. banks that are super important to the economy are getting new rules to keep them safer and stronger. These changes tweak how much money they must keep on hand and how they handle long-term debt, helping prevent financial trouble. The new rules kick in soon and could affect how these banks manage billions in assets and debt.

2026-18859, Proposed Third-Party Risk Management Guidance

The OCC, Board, FDIC, and NCUA (collectively, the agencies) invite comments on this proposed third-party risk management guidance. The proposed guidance would reflect the agencies' supervisory experience and lessons learned through examining banking organizations' third-party risk management practices. In particular, the proposed guidance would discuss the potential benefits that may accrue when a banking organization aligns its third-party risk management practices in relation to the reasonably assessed risk levels specific to each of its third-party relationships. This approach may assist banking organizations in the prioritization of third-party risk management based on material financial risks, compliance with laws and regulations, and resource allocation. The proposed guidance also would help banking organizations consider potential strategies for tailoring their third-party risk management practices according to the banking organization's size, complexity, and risk profile, as well as the nature of its third-party relationships. The agencies plan to rescind and replace existing guidance on third-party risk management to promote consistency and innovation in the banking industry.

2026-18766, Expanded Examination Cycle for Certain Small Insured Depository Institutions and U.S. Branches and Agencies of Foreign Banks

The OCC, Board, and FDIC (collectively, the Agencies) are jointly issuing and requesting public comment on an interim final rule to implement section 903 of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The interim final rule raises the asset threshold for certain supervised institutions with less than $6 billion in total assets to qualify for an 18-month on-site examination cycle. The interim final rule also makes parallel changes to the Agencies' regulations governing the on- site examination cycle for U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks, consistent with the International Banking Act of 1978 (IBA).

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Next: 2026-18853, Civil Penalty Inflation Adjustments

In accordance with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB"), the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC")'s civil penalty amounts will remain unchanged during 2026. The FTC will continue to apply the 2025 civil penalty levels.