Title 12, Banks and BankingRelease 119-110
§1790d Prompt Corrective Action
Title 12 › CHAPTER 14 — FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS › SUBCHAPTER II — SHARE INSURANCE › § 1790d
Summary
The Board must act quickly to fix problems at insured credit unions so the share insurance fund loses as little money as possible. The Board must write rules for prompt corrective action that fit credit unions as not-for-profit cooperatives. New credit unions (under 10 years or with no more than $10,000,000 in assets) get special rules and time to build net worth. Credit unions are put into net worth categories by percentage of assets: well capitalized = at least 7% (and meet any risk-based test); adequately capitalized = at least 6% (and meet any risk-based test); undercapitalized = less than 6% or fail the risk test; significantly undercapitalized = less than 4%, or less than 5% plus failure to submit or follow a required restoration plan; critically undercapitalized = less than 2% (or up to 3% if the Board sets that higher). The Board must add a risk-based net worth rule for complex credit unions. Credit unions that are not well capitalized must add at least 0.4% of assets to net worth each year, though the Board can lower that in limited cases. Undercapitalized credit unions must submit realistic plans to restore net worth. While undercapitalized, a credit union generally cannot grow assets or expand member business loans unless the Board accepts a plan and net worth is improving. If a credit union becomes critically undercapitalized, the Board has 90 days to put in a conservator or liquidating agent or to take another documented action. Any alternative action lasts no more than 180 days unless renewed, and the Board must appoint a liquidating agent if the credit union stays critically undercapitalized on average in the quarter that begins 18 months after the credit union first became critically undercapitalized. The Board has limits on reclassifying credit unions and on delegating these powers, with one small-credit-union exception for institutions under $5,000,000 if appeals are allowed. If the Fund takes a material loss (more than $25,000,000 plus 10% of the credit union’s assets at the time assistance began), the Board’s Inspector General must review the supervision, report findings and recommendations, and share the report with the Comptroller General, the Corporation, state supervisors, and Congress on request. The Inspector General must also do semiannual reviews of smaller losses starting with the 6-month period ending March 31, 2010, and file those reports within 90 days after each period. The Comptroller General will review those reports and suggest improvements. Material supervisory decisions by officials below the Board can be appealed to the Board. The Board must consult and work with state supervisors for state-chartered credit unions and give them a chance to act before the Board appoints a conservator or liquidating agent unless a Fund loss requires otherwise. Corporate credit unions that mainly serve other credit unions are excluded. This law does not limit other powers of the Board or states. Definitions (one line each): Federal banking agency — as defined elsewhere in law; Net worth — retained earnings and certain allowed items; Net worth ratio — net worth divided by total assets; New credit union — in operation less than 10 years and no more than $10,000,000 in assets.
Full Legal Text
Title 12, §1790d
Banks and Banking, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Resolving problems to protect Fund
(1)Purpose
The purpose of this section is to resolve the problems of insured credit unions at the least possible long-term loss to the Fund.
(2)Prompt corrective action required
The Board shall carry out the purpose of this section by taking prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured credit unions.
(b)Regulations required
(1)Insured credit unions
(A)In general
The Board shall, by regulation, prescribe a system of prompt corrective action for insured credit unions that is—
(i)consistent with this section; and
(ii)comparable to section 1831o of this title.
(B)Cooperative character of credit unions
The Board shall design the system required under subparagraph (A) to take into account that credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives that—
(i)do not issue capital stock;
(ii)must rely on retained earnings to build net worth; and
(iii)have boards of directors that consist primarily of volunteers.
(2)New credit unions
(A)In general
In addition to regulations under paragraph (1), the Board shall, by regulation, prescribe a system of prompt corrective action that shall apply to new credit unions in lieu of this section and the regulations prescribed under paragraph (1).
(B)Criteria for alternative system
The Board shall design the system prescribed under subparagraph (A)—
(i)to carry out the purpose of this section;
(ii)to recognize that credit unions (as cooperatives that do not issue capital stock) initially have no net worth, and give new credit unions reasonable time to accumulate net worth;
(iii)to create adequate incentives for new credit unions to become adequately capitalized by the time that they either—
(I)have been in operation for more than 10 years; or
(II)have more than $10,000,000 in total assets;
(iv)to impose appropriate restrictions and requirements on new credit unions that do not make sufficient progress toward becoming adequately capitalized; and
(v)to prevent evasion of the purpose of this section.
(c)Net worth categories
(1)In general
For purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:
(A)Well capitalized
An insured credit union is “well capitalized” if—
(i)it has a net worth ratio of not less than 7 percent; and
(ii)it meets any applicable risk-based net worth requirement under subsection (d).
(B)Adequately capitalized
An insured credit union is “adequately capitalized” if—
(i)it has a net worth ratio of not less than 6 percent; and
(ii)it meets any applicable risk-based net worth requirement under subsection (d).
(C)Undercapitalized
An insured credit union is “undercapitalized” if—
(i)it has a net worth ratio of less than 6 percent; or
(ii)it fails to meet any applicable risk-based net worth requirement under subsection (d).
(D)Significantly undercapitalized
An insured credit union is “significantly undercapitalized”—
(i)if it has a net worth ratio of less than 4 percent; or
(ii)if—
(I)it has a net worth ratio of less than 5 percent; and
(II)it—
(aa)fails to submit an acceptable net worth restoration plan within the time allowed under subsection (f); or
(bb)materially fails to implement a net worth restoration plan accepted by the Board.
(E)Critically undercapitalized
An insured credit union is “critically undercapitalized” if it has a net worth ratio of less than 2 percent (or such higher net worth ratio, not to exceed 3 percent, as the Board may specify by regulation).
(2)Adjusting net worth levels
(A)In general
If, for purposes of section 1831o(c) of this title, the Federal banking agencies increase or decrease the required minimum level for the leverage limit (as those terms are used in section 1831o of this title), the Board may, by regulation, and subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, correspondingly increase or decrease 1 or more of the net worth ratios specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) of this subsection in an amount that is equal to not more than the difference between the required minimum level most recently established by the Federal banking agencies and 4 percent of total assets (with respect to institutions regulated by those agencies).
(B)Determinations required
The Board may increase or decrease net worth ratios under subparagraph (A) only if the Board—
(i)determines, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies, that the reason for the increase or decrease in the required minimum level for the leverage limit also justifies the adjustment in net worth ratios; and
(ii)determines that the resulting net worth ratios are sufficient to carry out the purpose of this section.
(C)Transition period required
If the Board increases any net worth ratio under this paragraph, the Board shall give insured credit unions a reasonable period of time to meet the increased ratio.
(d)Risk-based net worth requirement for complex credit unions
(1)In general
The regulations required under subsection (b)(1) shall include a risk-based net worth requirement for insured credit unions that are complex, as defined by the Board based on the portfolios of assets and liabilities of credit unions.
(2)Standard
The Board shall design the risk-based net worth requirement to take account of any material risks against which the net worth ratio required for an insured credit union to be adequately capitalized may not provide adequate protection.
(e)Earnings-retention requirement applicable to credit unions that are not well capitalized
(1)In general
An insured credit union that is not well capitalized shall annually set aside as net worth an amount equal to not less than 0.4 percent of its total assets.
(2)Board’s authority to decrease earnings-retention requirement
(A)In general
The Board may, by order, decrease the 0.4 percent requirement in paragraph (1) with respect to a credit union to the extent that the Board determines that the decrease—
(i)is necessary to avoid a significant redemption of shares; and
(ii)would further the purpose of this section.
(B)Periodic review required
The Board shall periodically review any order issued under subparagraph (A).
(f)Net worth restoration plan required
(1)In general
Each insured credit union that is undercapitalized shall submit an acceptable net worth restoration plan to the Board within the time allowed under this subsection.
(2)Assistance to small credit unions
The Board (or the staff of the Board) shall, upon timely request by an insured credit union with total assets of less than $10,000,000, and subject to such regulations or guidelines as the Board may prescribe, assist that credit union in preparing a net worth restoration plan.
(3)Deadlines for submission and review of plans
The Board shall, by regulation, establish deadlines for submission of net worth restoration plans under this subsection that—
(A)provide insured credit unions with reasonable time to submit net worth restoration plans; and
(B)require the Board to act on net worth restoration plans expeditiously.
(4)Failure to submit acceptable plan within time allowed
(A)Failure to submit any plan
If an insured credit union fails to submit a net worth restoration plan within the time allowed under paragraph (3), the Board shall—
(i)promptly notify the credit union of that failure; and
(ii)give the credit union a reasonable opportunity to submit a net worth restoration plan.
(B)Submission of unacceptable plan
If an insured credit union submits a net worth restoration plan within the time allowed under paragraph (3), and the Board determines that the plan is not acceptable, the Board shall—
(i)promptly notify the credit union of why the plan is not acceptable; and
(ii)give the credit union a reasonable opportunity to submit a revised plan.
(5)Accepting plan
The Board may accept a net worth restoration plan only if the Board determines that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the net worth of the credit union.
(g)Restrictions on undercapitalized credit unions
(1)Restriction on asset growth
An insured credit union that is undercapitalized shall not generally permit its average total assets to increase, unless—
(A)the Board has accepted the net worth restoration plan of the credit union for that action;
(B)any increase in total assets is consistent with the net worth restoration plan; and
(C)the net worth ratio of the credit union increases at a rate that is consistent with the net worth restoration plan.
(2)Restriction on member business loans
Notwithstanding section 1757a(a) of this title, an insured credit union that is undercapitalized may not make any increase in the total amount of member business loans (as defined in section 1757a(c) of this title) outstanding at that credit union at any one time, until such time as the credit union becomes adequately capitalized.
(h)More stringent treatment based on other supervisory criteria
With respect to the exercise of authority by the Board under regulations comparable to section 1831o(g) of this title—
(1)the Board may not reclassify an insured credit union into a lower net worth category, or treat an insured credit union as if it were in a lower net worth category, for reasons not pertaining to the safety and soundness of that credit union; and
(2)the Board may not delegate its authority to reclassify an insured credit union into a lower net worth category or to treat an insured credit union as if it were in a lower net worth category.
(i)Action required regarding critically undercapitalized credit unions
(1)In general
The Board shall, not later than 90 days after the date on which an insured credit union becomes critically undercapitalized—
(A)appoint a conservator or liquidating agent for the credit union; or
(B)take such other action as the Board determines would better achieve the purpose of this section, after documenting why the action would better achieve that purpose.
(2)Periodic redeterminations required
Any determination by the Board under paragraph (1)(B) to take any action with respect to an insured credit union in lieu of appointing a conservator or liquidating agent shall cease to be effective not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the determination is made, and a conservator or liquidating agent shall be appointed for that credit union under paragraph (1)(A), unless the Board makes a new determination under paragraph (1)(B) before the end of the effective period of the prior determination.
(3)Appointment of liquidating agent required if other action fails to restore net worth
(A)In general
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Board shall appoint a liquidating agent for an insured credit union if the credit union is critically undercapitalized on average during the calendar quarter beginning 18 months after the date on which the credit union became critically undercapitalized.
(B)Exception
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Board may continue to take such other action as the Board determines to be appropriate in lieu of appointment of a liquidating agent if—
(i)the Board determines that—
(I)the insured credit union has been in substantial compliance with an approved net worth restoration plan that requires consistent improvement in the net worth of the credit union since the date of the approval of the plan; and
(II)the insured credit union has positive net income or has an upward trend in earnings that the Board projects as sustainable; and
(ii)the Board certifies that the credit union is viable and not expected to fail.
(4)Nondelegation
(A)In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Board may not delegate the authority of the Board under this subsection.
(B)Exception
The Board may delegate the authority of the Board under this subsection with respect to an insured credit union that has less than $5,000,000 in total assets, if the Board permits the credit union to appeal any adverse action to the Board.
(j)Reviews required when share insurance fund experiences losses
(1)In general
If the Fund incurs a material loss with respect to an insured credit union, the Inspector General of the Board shall—
(A)submit to the Board a written report reviewing the supervision of the credit union by the Administration (including the implementation of this section by the Administration), which shall include—
(i)a description of the reasons why the problems of the credit union resulted in a material loss to the Fund; and
(ii)recommendations for preventing any such loss in the future; and
(B)submit a copy of the report under subparagraph (A) to—
(i)the Comptroller General of the United States;
(ii)the Corporation;
(iii)in the case of a report relating to a State credit union, the appropriate State supervisor; and
(iv)to any Member of Congress, upon request.
(2)Material loss defined
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has incurred a material loss with respect to an insured credit union, a loss is material if it exceeds the sum of— (A)
(B)an amount equal to 10 percent of the total assets of the credit union on the date on which the Board initiated assistance under section 1788 of this title or was appointed liquidating agent.
(3)Public disclosure required
(A)In general
The Board shall disclose a report under this subsection, upon request under section 552 of title 5, without excising—
(i)any portion under section 552(b)(5) of title 5; or
(ii)any information about the insured credit union (other than trade secrets) under section 552(b)(8) of title 5.
(B)Rule of construction
Subparagraph (A) may not be construed as requiring the agency to disclose the name of any customer of the insured credit union (other than an institution-affiliated party), or information from which the identity of such customer could reasonably be ascertained.
(4)Losses that are not material
(A)Semiannual report
For the 6-month period ending on March 31, 2010, and each 6-month period thereafter, the Inspector General of the Board shall—
(i)identify any losses that the Inspector General estimates were incurred by the Fund during such 6-month period, with respect to insured credit unions;
(ii)for each loss to the Fund that is not a material loss, determine—
(I)the grounds identified by the Board or the State official having jurisdiction over a State credit union for appointing the Board as the liquidating agent for any Federal or State credit union; and
(II)whether any unusual circumstances exist that might warrant an in-depth review of the loss; and
(iii)prepare and submit a written report to the Board and to Congress on the results of the determinations of the Inspector General that includes—
(I)an identification of any loss that warrants an in-depth review, and the reasons such review is warranted, or if the Inspector General determines that no review is warranted, an explanation of such determination; and
(II)for each loss identified in subclause (I) that warrants an in-depth review, the date by which such review, and a report on the review prepared in a manner consistent with reports under paragraph (1)(A), will be completed.
(B)Deadline for semiannual report
The Inspector General of the Board shall—
(i)submit each report required under subparagraph (A) expeditiously, and not later than 90 days after the end of the 6-month period covered by the report; and
(ii)provide a copy of the report required under subparagraph (A) to any Member of Congress, upon request.
(5)GAO review
The Comptroller General of the United States shall, under such conditions as the Comptroller General determines to be appropriate—
(A)review each report made under paragraph (1), including the extent to which the Inspector General of the Board complied with the requirements under section 419 of title 5 with respect to each such report; and
(B)recommend improvements to the supervision of insured credit unions (including improvements relating to the implementation of this section).
(k)Appeals process
Material supervisory determinations, including decisions to require prompt corrective action, made pursuant to this section by Administration officials other than the Board may be appealed to the Board pursuant to the independent appellate process required by section 4806 of this title (or, if the Board so specifies, pursuant to separate procedures prescribed by regulation).
(l)Consultation and cooperation with State credit union supervisors
(1)In general
In implementing this section, the Board shall consult and seek to work cooperatively with State officials having jurisdiction over State-chartered insured credit unions.
(2)Evaluating net worth restoration plan
In evaluating any net worth restoration plan submitted by a State-chartered insured credit union, the Board shall seek the views of the State official having jurisdiction over the credit union.
(3)Deciding whether to appoint conservator or liquidating agent
With respect to any decision by the Board on whether to appoint a conservator or liquidating agent for a State-chartered insured credit union—
(A)the Board shall—
(i)seek the views of the State official having jurisdiction over the credit union; and
(ii)give that official an opportunity to take the proposed action;
(B)the Board shall, upon timely request of an official referred to in subparagraph (A), promptly provide the official with—
(i)a written statement of the reasons for the proposed action; and
(ii)reasonable time to respond to that statement;
(C)if the official referred to in subparagraph (A) makes a timely written response that disagrees with the proposed action and gives reasons for that disagreement, the Board shall not appoint a conservator or liquidating agent for the credit union, unless the Board, after considering the views of the official, has determined that—
(i)the Fund faces a significant risk of loss with respect to the credit union if a conservator or liquidating agent is not appointed; and
(ii)the appointment is necessary to reduce—
(I)the risk that the Fund would incur a loss with respect to the credit union; or
(II)any loss that the Fund is expected to incur with respect to the credit union; and
(D)the Board may not delegate any determination under subparagraph (C).
(m)Corporate credit unions exempted
This section does not apply to any insured credit union that—
(1)operates primarily for the purpose of serving credit unions; and
(2)permits individuals to be members of the credit union only to the extent that applicable law requires that such persons own shares.
(n)Other authority not affected
This section does not limit any authority of the Board or a State to take action in addition to (but not in derogation of) any action that is required under this section.
(o)Definitions
For purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:
(1)Federal banking agency
The term “Federal banking agency” has the same meaning as in section 1813 of this title.
(2)Net worth
The term “net worth”—
(A)with respect to any insured credit union, means the retained earnings balance of the credit union, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, together with any amounts that were previously retained earnings of any other credit union with which the credit union has combined;
(B)with respect to any insured credit union, includes, at the Board’s discretion and subject to rules and regulations established by the Board, assistance provided under section 1788 of this title to facilitate a least-cost resolution consistent with the best interests of the credit union system; and
(C)with respect to a low-income credit union, includes secondary capital accounts that are—
(i)uninsured; and
(ii)subordinate to all other claims against the credit union, including the claims of creditors, shareholders, and the Fund.
(3)Net worth ratio
The term “net worth ratio” means, with respect to a credit union, the ratio of the net worth of the credit union to the total assets of the credit union.
(4)New credit union
The term “new credit union” means an insured credit union that—
(A)has been in operation for less than 10 years; and
(B)has not more than $10,000,000 in total assets.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (j)(5)(A). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “section 419 of title 5” for “section 8L of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)”. 2011—Subsec. (o)(2). Pub. L. 111–382 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘net worth’— “(A) with respect to any insured credit union, means the retained earnings balance of the credit union, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles, together with any amounts that were previously retained earnings of any other credit union with which the credit union has combined; and “(B) with respect to a low-income credit union, includes secondary capital accounts that are— “(i) uninsured; and “(ii) subordinate to all other claims against the credit union, including the claims of creditors, shareholders, and the Fund.” 2010—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–203 amended subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of determining whether the Fund has incurred a material loss with respect to an insured credit union (such that the inspector general of the Board must make a report), a loss is material if it exceeds the sum of— “(1) $10,000,000; and “(2) an amount equal to 10 percent of the total assets of the credit union at the time at which the Board initiated assistance under section 1788 of this title or was appointed liquidating agent.” 2006—Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 109–351, § 726(25), inserted “any action” before “that is required”. Subsec. (o)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–351, § 504, inserted “the” before “retained earnings balance” and “, together with any amounts that were previously retained earnings of any other credit union with which the credit union has combined” before semicolon.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2010 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective 1 day after July 21, 2010, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 5301 of this title.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 105–219, title III, § 301(e), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 931, provided that: “(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), section 216 of the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1790d] (as added by this section) shall become effective 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 7, 1998]. “(2) Risk-based net worth requirement.—section 216(d) of the Federal Credit Union Act (as added by this section) shall become effective on January 1, 2001.”
Regulations
Pub. L. 105–219, title III, § 301(d), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 930, provided that: “(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Board shall—“(A) publish in the Federal Register proposed
Regulations
to implement section 216 of the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1790d] (as added by subsection (a) of this section) not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 7, 1998]; and “(B) promulgate final
Regulations
to implement section 216 not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. “(2) Risk-based net worth requirement.—“(A) Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall publish in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, as required by section 216(d) of the Federal Credit Union Act, as added by this Act. “(B) Final
Regulations
.—The Board shall promulgate final
Regulations
, as required by section 216(d) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.” Consultation Required Pub. L. 105–219, title III, § 301(c), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 930, provided that: “In developing
Regulations
to implement section 216 of the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1790d] (as added by subsection (a) of this section), the Board shall consult with the Secretary, the Federal banking agencies, and the State officials having jurisdiction over State-chartered insured credit unions.” Report to Congress Pub. L. 105–219, title III, § 301(f), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 931, provided that: “When the Board publishes proposed
Regulations
pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(A) [set out above], or promulgates final
Regulations
pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(B) [set out above], the Board shall submit to the Congress a report that specifically explains— “(1) how the
Regulations
carry out section 216(b)(1)(B) of the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1790d(b)(1)(B)] (as added by this section), relating to the cooperative character of credit unions; and “(2) how the
Regulations
differ from section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1831o], and the reasons for those differences.” Definitions Pub. L. 105–219, § 3, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 914, provided that: “As used in this Act [see
Short Title
of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 1751 of this title]— “(1) the term ‘Administration’ means the National Credit Union Administration; “(2) the term ‘Board’ means the National Credit Union Administration Board; “(3) the term ‘Federal banking agencies’ has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1813]; “(4) the terms ‘insured credit union’ and ‘State-chartered insured credit union’ have the same meanings as in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1752]; and “(5) the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Treasury.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
12 U.S.C. § 1790d
Title 12, Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110