Prompt Corrective Action Regulatory Relief Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Boards of Directors and Chief Executive Officers:

Last month, the NCUA Board approved additional regulatory relief measures related to the NCUA’s prompt corrective action (PCA) regulations anticipating that some credit unions may experience a temporary reduction in earnings and capital due to their COVID-19 response efforts. The interim final rule (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).) provides relief to federally insured credit unions during the COVID-19 pandemic, while still maintaining the safety and soundness of the credit union system.¹

This letter discusses the enclosed administrative order approved pursuant to § 702.201 that reduces the amount of earnings retention required for credit unions classified as adequately capitalized. Additionally, the letter discusses credit unions’ authority to submit a streamlined net worth restoration plan (NWRP) if their net worth ratio declined to undercapitalized predominantly due to temporary share growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

§ 702.201 Prompt corrective action for adequately capitalized credit unions²

On June 5, 2020, the NCUA Board approved an administrative order reducing the amount of earnings retention required for credit unions classified as adequately capitalized to zero. The agency understands that some credit unions may experience a reduction in earnings and capital due to their COVID-19 response efforts (such as waived fee income, forbearance on loan payments, or an unexpected increase in expenses). The NCUA Board determined that a decrease in the earnings retention requirement is necessary to avoid a reduction of shares, to retain system liquidity, and to further the purpose of PCA.³

Under this order, an adequately capitalized credit union that is unable to meet the earnings retention requirement will not have to submit a written application requesting approval to decrease its earnings retention amount. If, however, a credit union poses an undue risk to the Share Insurance Fund or exhibits material safety and soundness concerns, the Regional Director may require the credit union to submit an application for a decrease in the earnings retention requirement in accordance with § 702.201(b) (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).) . The NCUA will notify credit unions required to submit a waiver request to the Regional Director at least 45 calendar days prior to the end of the quarter.

This relief will remain in effect until December 31, 2020, and covers any decrease in earnings retention applications that an adequately capitalized credit union would otherwise have been required to submit prior to the June, September, and December 2020 quarter ends. Any federally insured credit union classified as adequately capitalized based on December 31, 2020 Call Report data and unable to retain 0.1 percent of its assets in the first quarter of 2021, must submit a written application as outlined in § 702.201(b).

§ 702.206(c) Contents of net worth restoration plans⁴

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some credit unions may experience a substantial, short-term increase in shares from stimulus deposits or consumer flight to safety, thereby diluting their net worth ratios. For credit unions that experience a decline in their net worth ratio predominantly due to share growth, the NCUA Board will temporarily permit a credit union to submit a streamlined NWRP. The streamlined NWRP must attest that the reduction in the credit union’s net worth ratio was predominantly caused by share growth and that such share growth is a temporary condition due to COVID-19.⁵ Credit unions that become classified as undercapitalized based on June or September 2020 Call Report data may submit a streamlined NWRP under this authority if share growth is the predominant factor for the decline in the net worth ratio and the share growth is temporary.

When approving streamlined NWRPs, Regional Directors will analyze whether share growth was the predominant factor in the decline of a credit union’s net worth ratio. More specifically, the NCUA will verify that the decline in the net worth ratio was driven by an increase in total assets, and that the increase in total assets is attributed to an increase in shares, not borrowings or other sources of funds. Federally insured, state-chartered credit unions must comply with applicable state requirements when submitting an NWRP for state supervisory authority approval. When considering whether to approve an NWRP, the NCUA will consult with the applicable state supervisory authority.

Credit unions expecting a continued decline in their net worth ratio to a level below 4 percent should notify their NCUA examiner and submit a NWRP in accordance with § 702.206 (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).) . Additionally, a credit union that becomes less than adequately capitalized for reasons other than share growth, or falls below undercapitalized, must submit a NWRP in accordance with § 702.206 (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).) . However, the Regional Director will take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic when approving or denying the NWRP.

The NCUA will evaluate compliance with outstanding NWRPs, including those approved under the temporary provision described above, on a case-by-case basis. Less than adequately capitalized credit unions that continue experiencing capital deficiencies, whether a result of share growth or other factors, may be required by the Regional Director to submit a revised NWRP that meets the criteria outlined in § 702.206(c) (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).) .

Conclusion

The NCUA understands the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting credit unions and their members in unprecedented ways. Where possible, the NCUA Board is providing regulatory relief to reduce the burden on credit unions and facilitate the flow of credit and liquidity within the system. If you have any questions regarding these regulatory changes, please contact your regional office.