# Organization and Operations of Federal Credit Unions > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A03-8721 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Rule - **Published:** April 15, 2003 - **Citation:** 68 FR 18334 ## Text NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Part 701 Organization and Operations of Federal Credit Unions AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The NCUA Board is amending its chartering and field of membership manual to update chartering policies and streamline documentation. These final amendments are in response to NCUA's more than four years experience with existing chartering and field of membership policies. DATES: This regulation is effective May 15, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael J. McKenna, Senior Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or telephone (703) 518-6540; Regina Metz, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or telephone (703) 518-6540; Lynn K. Markgraf, Program Officer, Office of Examination and Insurance, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or telephone (703) 518-6360. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NCUA's current chartering and field of membership policy is set out in Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 99-1, Chartering and Field of Membership Policy (IRPS 99-1), as amended by IRPS 00-1 and IRPS 02-2. The policy is incorporated by reference in NCUA's regulations at 12 CFR 701.1. It is also published as NCUA's Chartering and Field of Membership Manual (Chartering Manual), which is the document most interested parties use and to which references in the following discussion are made. In 1998, Congress updated the laws on field of membership with the passage of the Credit Union Membership Access Act (CUMAA). On December 17, 1998, in response to CUMAA, the NCUA Board issued a final rule on chartering and field of membership. 63 FR 73022, December 30, 1998. When the NCUA Board issued its final rule, it instructed NCUA's Field of Membership Taskforce to coordinate and monitor implementation of the new chartering policies and make necessary recommendations for policy clarifications and amendments to IRPS 99-1. Accordingly, recommendations were made, and final amendments to NCUA's chartering policy were issued by the NCUA Board in 2000 and again in 2002. 65 FR 64512, October 27, 2000; 67 FR 20013, April 24, 2002. Over the past four years, NCUA's Field of Membership Taskforce has continued to monitor and review the implementation of the Chartering Manual and its amendments in an effort to improve consistency and provide a basis, if necessary, for further clarifications and modifications. In connection with this review, last year the NCUA Board issued a proposed rule, with a 60-day comment period, that comprehensively updated the agency's chartering policy. 67 FR 72444, December 5, 2002. The comment period ended on February 3, 2003. Six hundred and seventy comments were received. Comments were received from 263 federal credit unions, 113 state-chartered credit unions, 131 Florida bankers and 69 other banks, 31 state credit union leagues or trade associations, and 4 national credit union trade associations, 32 credit union members, 14 state bank trade associations and 3 national bank trade associations, 2 members of Congress, 2 law firms, 1 insurance company, 2 credit union service organizations (CUSOs), 1 credit union contractor, 1 institute, and 1 shared service center. Except for the banks and bank trade associations, most commenters were very supportive of the proposed chartering and field of membership policies, with some commenters suggesting ways they would improve the final rule. Many stated that they appreciated the added flexibility permitted under the proposal, and some addressed how the proposal would afford them the opportunity to diversify their membership and how this would result in decreased economic risk. Besides the bank commenters, four credit unions and the institute opposed the proposal. Two of these commenters believe it would harm small credit unions. After the following discussion of the proposed amendments, there is a separate section devoted to the comments received from the bankers and bank trade associations. A. Proposed Amendments 1. Overlapping Fields of Membership Among Credit Unions As stated in the proposal, the NCUA Board has found no empirical evidence to indicate that overlaps have an adverse impact on credit unions and believes overlaps should generally be permitted. Therefore, except for select group expansions for multiple group credit unions, the NCUA Board proposed to eliminate overlap protection and provide the option to all credit unions to remove any existing exclusionary clauses in its charter. Under the Federal Credit Union Act (the Act), the agency must do an overlap analysis on select group expansions for multiple group credit unions so no significant changes were proposed in this area. 12 U.S.C 1759(f)(2)(D). On select group expansions, however, the NCUA Board stated that overlaps of groups of less than 3,000 should be classified as an incidental overlap and no overlap analysis should be required. The 3,000 threshold is taken directly from the CUMAA. The NCUA Board also stated if two credit unions want to retain an exclusionary clause that is a business decision for them to make. If, however, one credit union wants the exclusionary clause removed, the NCUA Board stated the request should be approved and should be treated as a housekeeping amendment. One hundred and twenty-two commenters supported this proposed change. Thirteen commenters opposed the change. They generally opposed this change because they believe it may harm small to mid-size credit unions that cannot compete with the rates and total range of services offered by the larger credit unions. The NCUA Board is committed to the concept of consumer choice as reflected in CUMAA. NCUA has approved charter expansions that overlap other credit unions for decades, without any evidence that the overlap harms the overlapped credit union. Overlap protection can harm the credit union member by denying consumer choice. By adopting the proposed change, the agency's policy will accurately reflect today's marketplace, which provides many choices in financial services to the consumer. Therefore, the NCUA Board believes it is appropriate to eliminate the remaining overlap protections that still exist in the regulation to the extent permitted by statute. The NCUA Board does not believe this overlap policy will have an adverse impact on small credit unions. Accordingly, the NCUA Board is adopting the proposed change on overlaps in the final rule including the procedure on how to remove existing exclusionary clauses. The NCUA Board is also eliminating a paperwork relic for credit unions that wish to expand their single occupational or associational common bond. Under the current rule, a single common bond credit union needs to obtain a letter from a group's sponsor indicating that the group wants to be added to the credit union's field of membership. The purpose of this requirement was so that NCUA could monitor overlaps. Since overlaps are now permitted for single common bond credit unions, this sponsor letter serves no safety and soundness or other policy purpose. A couple of commenters specifically addressed this issue and suggested the elimination of this requirement. Therefore, the NCUA Board is modifying the single common bond expansion procedure for both occupational and associational credit unions. Under the new procedure, a credit union need only state how the common bond is shared and how it will serve the expanded group. The requirement for a sponsor letter is eliminated. The NCUA Board is also clarifying in the final rule that a single common bond credit union can merge into a multiple common bond credit union if the single common bond credit union is completely overlapped by the multiple common bond credit union. The NCUA Board believes that, if a multiple group credit union has a complete overlap of a single common bond credit union's field of membership, then the two credit unions should be allowed to merge without analyzing the group's ability to form its own credit union. This change is consistent with the new overlap policy as well as previous modifications to merger policy. Chapter 2, section IV.D.1.c is modified accordingly in the final rule. 2. Reasonable Proximity and Service Facility for Select Group Expansions Under CUMAA, if the formation of a separate credit union is not practicable or consistent with the standards in the Act, then a select group can be included in the “field of membership of a credit union that is within reasonable proximity to the location of the group.” 12 U.S.C. 1759(f)(1)(B). The Act does not define a service facility for the purpose of analyzing reasonable proximity. In the proposal, the NCUA Board defined a service facility for multiple group expansions as a place where shares are accepted for members' accounts, loan applications are accepted, or loans are disbursed. In defining reasonable proximity, the NCUA Board has continually stated that the group to be added must be within the “service area” of a “service facility” of the credit union. After reviewing CUMAA and its legislative history again, the NCUA Board proposed a new definition of a service facility for the purpose of the reasonable proximity analysis. The NCUA Board proposed that a wholly-owned ATM or a shared service facility in which a credit union has an ownership interest constitutes a credit union for the purpose of the reasonable proximity analysis. Under the proposal, underserved areas still require a physical presence other than an ATM or shared service facility. One hundred and thirty-four commenters agreed with the proposed change. Two commenters who supported expanding the definition of service facility also suggested eliminating the reasonable proximity requirement altogether. Eleven commenters did not agree with the use of an ATM for purposes of the reasonable proximity analysis. One of these commenters opposed the use of shared branch networks for the reasonable proximity analysis. Many of these commenters were concerned that such a definition would harm small credit unions. Sixty-nine commenters supported the proposal, but recommended NCUA further expand the definition of service facility. Many of these commenters recommended that NCUA change “wholly owned” ATM to “branded” ATM and also include the web, telephone, and the United States mail as service facilities. A few of these commenters wrote that NCUA should also consider shared or network ATMs as service facilities. The NCUA Board does not have the legal authority to eliminate the reasonable proximity requirement. The NCUA Board also believes an ownership interest is crucial in analyzing the reasonable proximity requirement for ATMs and shared service facilities. However, the NCUA Board is clarifying that services provided by an ATM are irrelevant to this analysis as long as it is wholly-owned by the credit union. The NCUA Board believes that the proposed definition of a service facility for determining reasonable proximity is reasonable and is consistent with economic realities of the “clicks and windows” age. However, the NCUA Board is clarifying in the final rule that a service facility does not include a credit union's internet web site. In response to some commenters, the NCUA Board is clarifying in the final rule that the requisite ownership interest can be in a shared service center, a shared service network, or similar organization. Therefore, as long as the credit union has an ownership interest in the service center, network, or similar organization, the credit union can expand around any of them. The credit union does not need to have an ownership interest in the specific service facility. This means, for example, that, if the credit union has an ownership interest in a CUSO, it can expand around any service center connected to the CUSO. This also would allow a participating credit union with an ownership interest in the service facility to expand around other service facilities connected to the shared service network or similar organization. 3. Associational Common Bond The Chartering Manual defines what constitutes an associational common bond. Under the current definition the group must: (1) Hold meetings open to all members; (2) sponsor other activities which demonstrate that the members of the group meet to accomplish the objectives of the association; and (3) have an authoritative definition of who is eligible for membership. Other factors were also considered by the agency. The NCUA Board proposed that the three mandatory requirements be eliminated and merged into the list of factors to be considered by the agency. Under the proposal, a consideration of the totality of circumstances would determine whether an associational common bond exists. The NCUA Board also explicitly stated in the proposal that national associations in their entirety qualify for credit union service if the headquarters are within reasonable proximity to the credit union. One hundred and seven commenters supported the proposed change. Four commenters opposed the proposal. The NCUA Board believes, for the reasons provided in the proposal, that a totality of the circumstances analysis is appropriate in determining an associational common bond and is adopting that approach in the final rule. Eight commenters specifically approved of the clarification on national associations. Four commenters did not agree with the clarification. In response to concerns raised by some commenters, the NCUA Board is clarifying that current policy already permits a multiple group credit union to add national associations to its field of membership as long as the national association headquarters are within reasonable proximity to the credit union. If a multiple group credit union wishes to add just a chapter of the national association, the office of the chapter must be in reasonable proximity to the credit union. If a credit union is chartered to serve a single association, there is no reasonable proximity requirement. Therefore, the proposed clarification is adopted in the final rule. The NCUA Board wants to reiterate that associations that are primarily based on client-customer relationships do not qualify as an associational common bond. Finally, the NCUA Board is making some technical wording changes in this section to eliminate possible ambiguities. 4. Occupational Common Bond The NCUA Board has previously determined that an occupational common bond can also include designations based on employment in a trade, industry or profession (TIP), but because of operational concerns chose not to implement a TIP policy. Having addressed these concerns, the NCUA Board proposed a new definition of occupational common bond based on a TIP. This type of common bond can include employment at any number of corporations or other legal entities that, while not under common ownership, share a common bond by virtue of producing similar products, providing similar services, sharing the same profession or trade, or participating in the same industry. The common bond of a TIP credit union is not based on a relationship with a single employer, but rather, on the commonality of interests or characteristics of those groups comprising the TIP. Individuals in those groups will share or participate in the same purpose, interest, or endeavor as a result of their employment. If persons in different groups possess common interests that are reasonably tied to a common endeavor or purpose, then the groups can be combined to form a single field of membership and, thus, a single common bond credit union. This commonality of interest constitutes a common bond of trade, industry or profession and meets the statutory requirement of “one group that has a common bond of occupation.” 12 U.S.C. 1759(a)(1). In the proposal, the NCUA Board stated that, while there is some latitude in defining trade, industry, or profession, the group must have a close nexus. Furthermore, the NCUA Board stated that a TIP must be narrowly defined and in most cases, will contain a geographic limitation. The geographic limitation will generally correspond to the credit union's current or planned service area. The NCUA Board limited the TIP to single common bond credit unions and proposed allowing any credit union to convert to a TIP single occupational credit union. Upon such a conversion, the credit union could retain its members of record. One hundred and seventy commenters supported the TIP proposal. A few commenters who supported the proposal believe that a diverse field of membership should reduce sponsor risk and risk to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. A few commenters expressed concern with how TIP will be implemented. Four commenters opposed the TIP concept because they believe it would hurt small credit unions. Many commenters provided examples of different TIPs, ranging from an educational TIP to a petroleum TIP. Some of the commenters believed that the general thrust of occupational chartering based upon TIP should be more “horizontal” than “vertical.” That is, they viewed the TIP proposal as focusing on only some members of a trade or industry, as opposed to everyone working in the same trade or industry. The NCUA Board does not believe that these terms provide a meaningful or relevant distinction and is not using them in the Chartering Manual. In the proposal, the NCUA Board was simply illustrating who could become a member depended on whether the credit union had a professional TIP or an industry TIP. Again, if the TIP is the healthcare industry, everyone working at a hospital would be included in the TIP. If the credit union has a nurses TIP, then only nurses could be served. This is a clear and important distinction. A TIP can be “vertical” or “horizontal,” but it is critical that a credit union understand which type of occupational common bond it is choosing. In a similar vein, some commenters asked why a credit union could not serve clerical staff if a TIP is based on a single profession, for example, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The answer is that a TIP credit union based on profession or trade can only serve members of the same profession or trade. An engineer TIP can only serve engineers; a teachers TIP can only serve teachers. This is one of the fundamental criteria of a TIP. However, if a TIP is based on an industry, such as healthcare, the credit union can serve physicians, nurses, and administrative staff. Therefore, as stated above, how the TIP is characterized, whether by profession or industry, will be critical in determining who the credit union can serve. If the credit union wants to serve CPAs, it should request a CPA TIP. If the credit union wants to include administrative staff, then it should request a TIP based on the accounting industry. A few commenters support applying TIP only to single common bond credit unions. Thirty-one commenters recommended applying TIP to multiple common bond credit unions. The NCUA Board believes that a narrow approach is appropriate at this time because expansion of the TIP policy would raise additional operational issues. For this reason, the NCUA Board is limiting this type of occupational common bond to a single common bond credit union. The NCUA Board stated in the proposal that a credit union converting to a TIP will usually have a geographic limitation that comports with its current or planned service area. Nine commenters opposed a geographic limitation on the TIP occupational common bond. A few commenters requested broad geographic options. A few commenters noted that, for a credit union already serving members nationwide, there should be no geographic limitation. The NCUA Board believes that, initially, a general geographic limitation is necessary for a successful implementation of the TIP policy. However, after considering the commenters' suggestions, the NCUA Board also believes a credit union having a national field of membership or operating in multiple states may request a TIP with no geographic restriction. Accordingly, the NCUA Board has clarified the Chartering Manual to include this concept. The NCUA Board continues to believe that another fundamental criterion of a TIP common bond is that the group must have a close nexus and a commonality of interests. Because of this requirement, a TIP cannot include third-party vendors and other suppliers and contractors. In this regard, some TIPs might be more limiting than the traditional definition of an occupational common bond. An automobile TIP may include all workers manufacturing automobiles but may not include the steel suppliers or other component suppliers. A healthcare TIP may include all hospital personnel but may not include employees of unaffiliated retail pharmacies. Furthermore, a TIP common bond charter can be similar to, but distinguishable from, a common bond based on a single corporation or employer. For example, all Army personnel would qualify as a single common bond employer group or TIP, but all nurses would only qualify as a TIP. One commenter requested that a company that has one large, predominant industry and some smaller industries still be allowed to be included in a single industrial common bond. The NCUA Board believes such a company would not have the close nexus and commonality of interest required of a TIP occupational common bond based on industry. However, this same company could qualify for a traditional single employer occupational common bond. A few commenters requested information about the scope of the TIP business plan. One commenter also asked how a credit union will verify an individual as a TIP member. When a credit union is chartered or converts to a TIP it must submit a business plan that addresses how it will serve the TIP and how it will verify an individual is part of that TIP. Verification may include a state license, payroll statements, or any other documentation indicating that an individual is a member of the specified TIP. Some commenters have asked that retirees and corporate accounts be included in a TIP field of membership. The NCUA Board sees no impediment to such a change and has modified the final rule to allow retirees for all TIPs and corporate accounts for industry TIPs. The NCUA Board requested comment on whether the final rule should contain a preapproved list of TIPs. A few commenters recommended that the final rule should not contain a preapproved list of TIPs. A few commenters supported an initial listing of NCUA preapproved TIPS, if it did not limit possible TIPs. A few commenters suggested other governmental sources a credit union could review to develop a TIP. The NCUA Board believes that a list of preapproved TIPs would not prove very useful to most credit unions. Instead, the NCUA Board prefers that the agency approve TIPs, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure consistency among the reasons, address operational issues and to ensure the legal underpinnings of the policy are met. The NCUA Board encourages credit unions to review the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Standard Occupational Classification System (SOCS) and the U.S. Census Bureau's North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) for guidance in developing a TIP. Although the information contained in the SOCS and NAICS is neither controlling nor binding on NCUA, the systems do contain some useful information for credit unions considering converting to a TIP occupational common bond. Finally, the NCUA Board is clarifying that if, for safety and soundness reasons, a TIP credit union needs to convert back to its original field of membership, it can obtain the field of membership it had before the conversion. Such a conversion would need to be approved by the regional director. After the conversion, a credit union could continue to serve members of record of the TIP. 5. Economic Advisability and the Process for Select Group Expansions of Less than 3,000 Economic advisability is critically important both in the chartering process and in the addition of select groups to a multiple common bond credit union. NCUA's responsibility is to ensure that a new credit union has a reasonable likelihood of succeeding in today's financial marketplace. Based on the historical experience since the promulgation of IRPS 99-1, plus other chartering data since 1990, the NCUA Board proposed to raise the expedited processing threshold for adding groups from 500 to less than 3,000. In conjunction with this proposal, the NCUA Board also proposed raising the number of members in a group requiring an overlap analysis from 500 to less than 3,000. One hundred and thirty-three commenters supported the proposed change. One commenter requested no economic ability analysis or overlap analysis be conducted on groups of 3,000 or more either. A few commenters opposed the change and some of these commenters stated they believed that it would hurt small credit unions. The NCUA Board is adopting the proposed amendment in the final rule. NCUA will continue to perform an economic advisability analysis and overlap analysis for a group of 3,000 or more. NCUA's experience supports the view that a primary potential membership of less than 3,000 will rarely be economically advisable. In fact, 3,000 is the same threshold at or above which Congress requires the agency to look at the group more closely to determine if it can form its own credit union. The final rule merely makes consistent the application of the statutory 3,000 figure as the break point for mandatory analysis of a group that chooses to affiliate with an existing credit union, rather than charter its own credit union. In some circumstances, a smaller number of potential members may be economically advisable, and such groups, if they express the desire to form a separate credit union, will be given that opportunity. However, as always, the group's desire and initiative to form a credit union are critical factors in evaluating economic advisability. 6. Community Charters Over the years, the NCUA Board has approved numerous conversions of credit unions to community charters. The NCUA Board proposed three different definitions of what constitutes a local community. These definitions were based on the Board's experience and authority under the Act to determine what constitutes a local community for purposes of a federal community charter. First, the NCUA Board proposed that any city, county, or smaller political jurisdiction, regardless of population size, meets the definition of a local community. The NCUA Board stated that this is an irrebuttable presumption, regardless of population size, and that no documentation demonstrating that the political jurisdiction is a community would be required. Second, the NCUA Board proposed that any area that is a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), or its equivalent, or a portion thereof, where the population of the MSA or its equivalent does not exceed one million, may meet the definition of a local community. The NCUA Board stated that, if the proposed community meets the MSA criteria and population limits, the credit union must submit a letter describing how the area meets the standards for community interaction and/or common interests. Third, the NCUA Board proposed increasing the presumption of a local community from 200,000 residents to 500,000 residents for multiple political jurisdictions that are not part of a single MSA. The NCUA Board stated that, if the credit union meets this criterion, the credit union must submit a letter describing how the area meets the standards for community interaction and/or common interests. One hundred and eighty-one commenters supported the new definitions of a local community and the changes to the community section. Seven commenters requested a more expansive definition of a local community. Four commenters did not support the proposal and believe the definition of local community will hurt small credit unions. The NCUA Board is adopting the proposed definition of a local community in the final rule. As stated in the proposal, this definition of local community comports with the general experience of this Board in determining what constitutes a local community charter. The NCUA Board clarified in the proposed rule that a community charter can apply to convert to serve a different community area. A couple of commenters specifically approved of the proposal. The NCUA Board is adopting this provision in the final rule without change. The NCUA Board clarified in the proposal that persons or organizations that regularly do business in a community can be included in a community credit union's charter. A couple of commenters specifically approved of this clarification. The NCUA Board is adopting this clarification in the final rule and is providing an example in the final rule to demonstrate that a community charter can serve individuals and organizations that regularly conduct business in the community. Twenty-two commenters requested that, if a credit union converts to a community charter, all groups outside the community boundary should continue to be served by the community credit union. The NCUA Board believes that such an interpretation is not permitted under CUMAA. However, as stated in this rule, and previous NCUA rules, groups obtained through an emergency merger or emergency purchase and assumption can continue to be served by the new community credit union. One commenter believes credit unions should be able to serve multiple, noncontiguous communities, and another commenter believes NCUA should not restrict a credit union to a single charter type, but should permit credit unions to be hybrids of different charter types. Unfortunately, the Act does not specifically permit hybrid charters and does not generally permit a credit union to serve multiple noncontiguous communities. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, involving emergency mergers, underserved areas and the grandfathering of certain fields of memberships. 7. Common Bond Conversions In the current Chartering Manual, the sections on federal charter conversions for occupational common bond credit unions, associational common bond credit unions, and multiple group common bond credit unions all contain a general three-year prohibition on converting to another type of charter, except to a community charter. This prohibition was originally established for operational and administrative reasons. The NCUA Board proposed the elimination of this prohibition since it unduly limits the flexibility needed for federal credit unions to serve their members and make well-reasoned business decisions. Fifty-nine commenters specifically supported the proposal. One commenter specifically opposed the change. The NCUA Board has not been provided any compelling rationale to retain this prohibition so it is deleting this requirement and adopting the proposal in the final rule. 8. Charter Conversions The NCUA Board clarified in the proposed rule that, if a State charter wants to convert to Federal charter and had previously obtained a group or area through a procedure similar to NCUA's emergency merger provision, it can retain that field of membership when it converts to a Federal charter. Sixty-four commenters specifically supported this clarification. Two commenters specifically opposed it because of possible abuse. The NCUA Board is adopting in the final rule the clarification that a State charter that converts to a Federal charter may retain any groups obtained through a State's emergency field of membership provision. Any subsequent expansions or amendments to the field of membership of the Federal charter must comply with Federal field of membership policies. The NCUA Board does not believe that adoption of this clarification will lead to any abuse because most State emergency provisions are not broader than those for Federal charters. The NCUA Board requested comment on whether there was a compelling rationale to permit any type of State charters to retain their State fields of membership when converting to Federal charters. The NCUA Board also requested comment on other ways to streamline the procedure for converting from a State charter to Federal charter. Several commenters support streamlining the conversion process. Nine commenters requested that State charters converting to Federal charters should be able to retain all groups in their current fields of membership. Although some of these commenters provided good business reasons for adopting such a policy, no commenter provided a compelling justification for such a policy change. The NCUA Board will continue to review this issue in the future to determine if a change in policy is appropriate. 9. The Appeal Process The NCUA Board proposed a change to the appeal process. The NCUA Board clarified that, if a credit union seeks a second reconsideration of an application, and it is still not approved by the region, it will be treated as an appeal and sent to the NCUA Board for a decision. Furthermore, Chapter Three of the Chartering Manual on underserved areas does not have a separate appeals section, so the NCUA Board proposed adding an appeal provision to this section. Fifty commenters specifically supported the changes to the appeal process and only one commenter opposed it. The NCUA Board is adopting the proposed changes to the appeals process, with minor modifications, including the addition of an appeal process for underserved areas. 10. Miscellaneous Clarifications The NCUA Board proposed three other amendments to conform to other proposals made by the NCUA Board or to clarify existing policy. First, the NCUA Board proposed a change to chapter 1, section XII to permit foreign branching by Federal credit unions. Any existing or proposed branches on United States military installations or United States embassies are unaffected by this change. The few commenters that addressed the issue supported the proposed amendment. The NCUA Board is adopting this proposal in the final rule. Second, the NCUA Board clarified how corporate accounts can be cited in a credit union's charter by adding them to the list of groups in “Other Persons Eligible for Credit Union Membership.” Forty-three commenters supported the clarification and the NCUA Board is adopting this clarification in the final rule. Third, the NCUA Board clarified that in a spin-off all members of the group to be spun off, regardless of how they voted, will be transferred if the spin-off is approved by the voting membership. Forty-three commenters supported the clarification. The NCUA Board believes that this treatment of members in a spin-off is consistent with CUMAA and is adopting this clarification in the final rule. A couple of commenters recommended NCUA review its investment area definition; specifically, the definition of empowerment zones or enterprise communities used to add underserved areas. Before a Federal credit union can expand its field of membership to serve an underserved area, the area must, among other things, be classified as an investment area under section 103(16) of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions (CDFI) Act of 1994 (the CDFI Act), 12 U.S.C. 4703(16). The CDFI Act permits the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund to further define investment area. NCUA has reviewed its investment area definition in response to these commenters and also because the CDFI Fund recently issued an interim final rule, revising its program, including its own investment area definition. 68 FR 5704, February 4, 2003 (to be codified at 12 CFR part 1805). The CDFI Fund has deleted the following criteria from its definition: • An area where the percentage of occupied distressed housing (as indicated by lack of complete plumbing and occupancy of more than one person per room) is at least 20 percent; • An area located outside of a Metropolitan Area with a county population loss between the most recent decennial census and the previous decennial census of at least 10 percent; and • An area located outside of a Metropolitan Area with a county net migration loss (out-migration minus in-migration) over the 5-year period preceding the most recent decennial census of at least 5 percent. The CDFI Fund also modified its section on empowerment zones and enterprise communities in its investment area definition. The definition now includes an area that wholly consists of or is wholly located within an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community designated under section 1391 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 1391. With the release of the 2000 Census data as well as the new definitions of an investment area, the NCUA Board has also updated its definition of an investment area in chapter 3 of the Chartering Manual. The NCUA Board does not expect these revisions to have any measurable impact on bringing credit union service to underserved areas. In general, the NCUA Board acknowledges that the three eliminated criteria were either redundant or not accurate measures of economic distress. The NCUA Board believes that the changes will have no adverse effect on geographic areas qualifying as investment areas. Therefore, the final investment area definition is revised to conform to the CDFI Fund's new definition. A couple of commenters asked for the agency to abolish the requirement of a sponsor letter from a select group that a multiple common bond credit union wants to add to its field of membership. The NCUA Board believes, at this time, the sponsor letter for multiple group expansions is beneficial for credit unions because it demonstrates the desire of the group. The Board is not deleting the requirement but the NCUA Board will continue to monitor the usefulness of requiring the letter. Finally, the NCUA Board proposed some technical wording changes to all of the chapters in the Chartering Manual and updated the Appendices. The final rule includes additional changes to the forms in Appendix D to make them easier to understand and use. These changes are not substantive. B. Comments From Banks and Bank Trade Organizations Bank and bank trade organization commenters objected to the proposal and argued that Federal credit unions should be subject to taxation like banks. In general, these commenters opposed all 10 categories in the proposal listed above. Specifically, the commenters argued that the NCUA Board's proposal does not adhere to CUMAA, including the definitions of “local” and “common bond,” and objected to: The proposals to use MSAs to define local communities; defining a service facility as including ATMs; the concept of the TIP occupational common bond; and the change to the standard clause to include corporate and other business sponsors. The NCUA Board has considered all issues raised by these commenters and has previously addressed the major issues in this preamble since other commenters discussed the same provisions. As to the question of taxation, it is a statutory issue, not a regulatory issue. Most recently Congress addressed this issue in CUMAA at section 2.(4), which states that “[c]redit unions, unlike many other participants in the financial services market, are exempt from Federal and most State taxes * * *”. Finally, as in the past, some of the commenters from banking organizations stated that the proposed regulation does nothing to encourage the formation of separate credit unions to serve groups of fewer than 3,000 persons. The NCUA Board strongly disagrees with this comment. In fact, the NCUA Board's policy is that any group that can meet the economic advisability requirements should form its own credit union. The NCUA Board has simply established criteria that provide guidance based on historical experience relative to those groups that may have the best opportunity to succeed. Every effort will be made to encourage new charters, but operational feasibility and requirements are valid factors and cannot be ignored in the decision making process. Nothing in this rule prevents a group with less than 3,000 from applying to charter its own credit union. In fact, NCUA has put in place an Express Chartering Program to help small but viable groups in chartering a credit union. C. Internet Expansion Requests The Field of Membership Taskforce has developed an internet, select group expansion form. This process allows credit unions to submit requests for occupational groups of less than 3,000 online with an expedited approval by NCUA. The Field of Membership Taskforce is in the process of developing a form to allow associational groups of less than 3,000 to be approved by NCUA online. The regional offices can provide credit unions with specific details on how to do an expansion through the internet. D. Regulatory Procedures Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NCUA to prepare an analysis to describe any significant economic impact a regulation may have on a substantial number of small credit unions, primarily those under one million dollars in assets. The final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions and, therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. Paperwork Reduction Act The Office of Management and Budget control number assigned to § 701.1 is 3133-0015, and to forms included in Appendix D is 3133-0116. NCUA has determined that the final rule will not increase paperwork requirements and a paperwork reduction analysis is not required. Executive Order 13132 Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In adherence to fundamental federalism principles, NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies with the executive order. The final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the connection between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. NCUA has determined that the final rule does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for purposes of the executive order. The Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999—Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families The NCUA has determined that the final rule would not affect family well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 1999, Pub. L. 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (1998). Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) provides generally for congressional review of agency rules. A reporting requirement is triggered in instances where NCUA issues a final rule as defined by section 551 of the Administrative Procedures Act. 5 U.S.C. 551. The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this is not a major rule. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 701 Credit, Credit unions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. By the National Credit Union Administration Board on March 27, 2003. Becky Baker, Secretary of the Board. Accordingly, NCUA amends 12 CFR part 701 as follows: PART 701—ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS 1. The authority citation for part 701 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1752(5), 1755, 1756, 1757, 1759, 1761a, 1761b, 1766, 1767, 1782, 1784, 1787, 1789. Section 701.6 is also authorized by 15 U.S.C. 3717. Section 701.31 is also authorized by 15 U.S.C. 1601, et seq. , 42 U.S.C. 1981 and 3601-3610. Section 701.35 is also authorized by 12 U.S.C. 4311-4312. 2. Section 701.1 is revised to read as follows: § 701.1 Federal credit union chartering, field of membership modifications, and conversions. National Credit Union Administration policies concerning chartering, field of membership modifications, and conversions are set forth in Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 03-1, Chartering and Field of Membership Policy (IRPS 03-1). Copies may be obtained by contacting NCUA at the addresses found in § 790.2(c) of this chapter. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 3133-0015.) Note: The text of the Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS 03-1) does not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. 3. IRPS 03-1 is added to read as follows: Chapter 1—Federal Credit Union Chartering I—Goals of NCUA Chartering Policy The National Credit Union Administration's (NCUA) chartering and field of membership policies are directed toward achieving the following goals: • To encourage the formation of credit unions; • To uphold the provisions of the Federal Credit Union Act; • To promote thrift and credit extension; • To promote credit union safety and soundness; and • To make quality credit union service available to all eligible persons. NCUA may grant a charter to single occupational/associational groups, multiple groups, or communities if: • The occupational, associational, or multiple groups possess an appropriate common bond or the community represents a well-defined local community, neighborhood, or rural district; • The subscribers are of good character and are fit to represent the proposed credit union; and • The establishment of the credit union is economically advisable. Generally, these are the primary criteria that NCUA will consider. In unusual circumstances, however, NCUA may examine other factors, such as other federal law or public policy, in deciding if a charter should be approved. Unless otherwise noted, the policies outlined in this manual apply only to federal credit unions. II—Types of Charters The Federal Credit Union Act recognizes three types of federal credit union charters—single common bond (occupational and associational), multiple common bond (more than one group each having a common bond of occupation or association), and community. The requirements that must be met to charter a federal credit union are described in Chapter 2. Special rules for credit unions serving low-income groups are described in Chapter 3. If a federal credit union charter is granted, Section 5 of the charter will describe the credit union's field of membership, which defines those persons and entities eligible for membership. Generally, federal credit unions are only able to grant loans and provide services to persons within the field of membership who have become members of the credit union. III—Subscribers Federal credit unions are generally organized by persons who volunteer their time and resources and are responsible for determining the interest, commitment, and economic advisability of forming a federal credit union. The organization of a successful federal credit union takes considerable planning and dedication. Persons interested in organizing a federal credit union should contact one of the credit union trade associations or the NCUA regional office serving the state in which the credit union will be organized. Lists of NCUA offices and credit union trade associations are shown in the appendices. NCUA will provide information to groups interested in pursuing a federal charter and will assist them in contacting an organizer. While anyone may organize a credit union, a person with training and experience in chartering new federal credit unions is generally the most effective organizer. However, extensive involvement by the group desiring credit union service is essential. The functions of the organizer are to provide direction, guidance, and advice on the chartering process. The organizer also provides the group with information about a credit union's functions and purpose as well as technical assistance in preparing and submitting the charter application. Close communication and cooperation between the organizer and the proposed members are critical to the chartering process. The Federal Credit Union Act requires that seven or more natural persons—the “subscribers”—present to NCUA for approval a sworn organization certificate stating at a minimum: • The name of the proposed federal credit union; • The location of the proposed federal credit union and the territory in which it will operate; • The names and addresses of the subscribers to the certificate and the number of shares subscribed by each; • The initial par value of the shares; • The detailed proposed field of membership; and • The fact that the certificate is made to enable such persons to avail themselves of the advantages of the Federal Credit Union Act. False statements on any of the required documentation filed in obtaining a federal credit union charter may be grounds for federal criminal prosecution. IV—Economic Advisability IV.A—General Before chartering a federal credit union, NCUA must be satisfied that the institution will be viable and that it will provide needed services to its members. Economic advisability, which is a determination that a potential charter will have a reasonable opportunity to succeed, is essential in order to qualify for a credit union charter. NCUA will conduct an independent on-site investigation of each charter application to ensure that the proposed credit union can be successful. In general, the success of any credit union depends on: (a) The character and fitness of management; (b) the depth of the members' support; and (c) present and projected market conditions. IV.B—Proposed Management's Character and Fitness The Federal Credit Union Act requires NCUA to ensure that the subscribers are of good “general character and fitness.” Prospective officials and employees will be the subject of credit and background investigations. The investigation report must demonstrate each applicant's ability to effectively handle financial matters. Employees and officials should also be competent, experienced, honest and of good character. Factors that may lead to disapproval of a prospective official or employee include criminal convictions, indictments, and acts of fraud and dishonesty. Further, factors such as serious or unresolved past due credit obligations and bankruptcies disclosed during credit checks may disqualify an individual. NCUA also needs reasonable assurance that the management team will have the requisite skills—particularly in leadership and accounting—and the commitment to dedicate the time and effort needed to make the proposed federal credit union a success. Section 701.14 of NCUA's Rules and Regulations sets forth the procedures for NCUA approval of officials of newly chartered credit unions. If the application of a prospective official or employee to serve is not acceptable to the regional director, the group can propose an alternate to act in that individual's place. If the charter applicant feels it is essential that the disqualified individual be retained, the individual may appeal the regional director's decision to the NCUA Board. If an appeal is pursued, action on the application may be delayed. If the appeal is denied by the NCUA Board, an acceptable new applicant must be provided before the charter can be approved. IV.C—Member Support Economic advisability is a major factor in determining whether the credit union will be chartered. An important consideration is the degree of support from the field of membership. The charter applicant must be able to demonstrate that membership support is sufficient to ensure viability. NCUA has not set a minimum field of membership size for chartering a federal credit union. Consequently, groups of any size may apply for a credit union charter and be approved if they demonstrate economic advisability. However, it is important to note that often the size of the group is indicative of the potential for success. For that reason, a charter application with fewer than 3,000 primary potential members ( e.g., employees of a corporation or members of an association) may not be economically advisable. Therefore, a charter applicant with a proposed field of membership of fewer than 3,000 primary potential members may have to provide more support than an applicant with a larger field of membership. For example, a small occupational or associational group may be required to demonstrate a commitment for long-term support from the sponsor. IV.D—Present and Future Market Conditions—Business Plan The ability to provide effective service to members, compete in the marketplace, and to adapt to changing market conditions are key to the survival of any enterprise. Before NCUA will charter a credit union, a business plan based on realistic and supportable projections and assumptions must be submitted. The business plan should contain, at a minimum, the following elements: • Mission statement; • Analysis of market conditions, including if applicable, geographic, demographic, employment, income, housing, and other economic data; • Evidence of member support; • Goals for shares, loans, and for number of members; • Financial services needed/desired; • Financial services to be provided to members of all segments within the field of membership; • How/when services are to be implemented; • Organizational/management plan addressing qualification and planned training of officials/employees; • Continuity plan for directors, committee members and management staff; • Operating facilities, to include office space/equipment and supplies, safeguarding of assets, insurance coverage, etc.; • Type of record keeping and data processing system; • Detailed semiannual pro forma financial statements (balance sheet, income and expense projections) for 1st and 2nd year, including assumptions— e.g., loan and dividend rates; • Plans for operating independently; • Written policies (shares, lending, investments, funds management, capital accumulation, dividends, collections, etc.); • Source of funds to pay expenses during initial months of operation, including any subsidies, assistance, etc., and terms or conditions of such resources; and • Evidence of sponsor commitment (or other source of support) if subsidies are critical to success of the federal credit union. Evidence may be in the form of letters, contracts, financial statements from the sponsor, and any other such document on which the proposed federal credit union can substantiate its projections. While the business plan may be prepared with outside assistance, the subscribers and proposed officials must understand and support the submitted business plan. V—Steps in Organizing a Federal Credit Union V.A—Getting Started Following the guidance contained throughout this policy, the organizers should submit wording for the proposed field of membership (the persons, organizations and other legal entities the credit union will serve) to NCUA early in the application process for written preliminary approval. The proposed field of membership must meet all common bond or community requirements. Once the field of membership has been given preliminary approval, and the organizer is satisfied the application has merit, the organizer should conduct an organizational meeting to elect seven to ten persons to serve as subscribers. The subscribers should locate willing individuals capable of serving on the board of directors, credit committee, supervisory committee, and as chief operating officer/manager of the proposed credit union. Subsequent organizational meetings may be held to discuss the progress of the charter investigation, to announce the proposed slate of officials, and to respond to any questions posed at these meetings. If NCUA approves the charter application, the subscribers, as their final duty, will elect the board of directors of the proposed federal credit union. The new board of directors will then appoint the supervisory committee. V.B—Charter Application Documentation V.B.1—General As discussed previously in this Chapter, the organizer of a federal credit union charter must, at a minimum, provide evidence that: • The group(s) possess an appropriate common bond or the geographical area to be served is a well-defined local community, neighborhood, or rural district; • The subscribers, prospective officials, and employees are of good character and fitness; and • The establishment of the credit union is economically advisable. As part of the application process, the organizer must submit the following forms, which are available in Appendix D of this Manual: • Federal Credit Union Investigation Report, NCUA 4001; • Organization Certificate, NCUA 4008; • Report of Official and Agreement to Serve, NCUA 4012; • Application and Agreements for Insurance of Accounts, NCUA 9500; and • Certification of Resolutions, NCUA 9501. Each of these forms is described in more detail in the following sections. V.B.2—Federal Credit Union Investigation Report, NCUA 4001 The application for a new federal credit union will be submitted on NCUA 4001. State-chartered credit unions applying for conversion to a federal charter will use NCUA 4000. (See Chapter 4 for a full discussion.) The organizer is required to certify the information and recommend approval or disapproval, based on the investigation of the request. V.B.3—Organization Certificate, NCUA 4008 This document, which must be completed by the subscribers, includes the seven criteria established by the Federal Credit Union Act. NCUA staff assigned to the case will assist in the proper completion of this document. V.B.4—Report of Official and Agreement to Serve, NCUA 4012 This form documents general background information of each official and employee of the proposed federal credit union. Each official and employee must complete and sign this form. The organizer must review each of the NCUA 4012s for elements that would prevent the prospective official or employee from serving. Further, such factors as serious, unresolved past due credit obligations and bankruptcies disclosed during credit checks may disqualify an individual. V.B.5—Application and Agreements for Insurance of Accounts, NCUA 9500 This document contains the agreements with which federal credit unions must comply in order to obtain National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) coverage of member accounts. The document must be completed and signed by both the chief executive officer and chief financial officer. A federal credit union must qualify for federal share insurance. V.B.6—Certification of Resolutions, NCUA 9501 This document certifies that the board of directors of the proposed federal credit union has resolved to apply for NCUSIF insurance of member accounts and has authorized the chief executive officer and recording officer to execute the Application and Agreements for Insurance of Accounts. Both the chief executive officer and recording officer of the proposed federal credit union must sign this form. VI—Name Selection It is the responsibility of the federal credit union organizers or officials of an existing credit union to ensure that the proposed federal credit union name or federal credit union name change does not constitute an infringement on the name of any corporation in its trade area. This responsibility also includes researching any service marks or trademarks used by any other corporation (including credit unions) in its trade area. NCUA will ensure, to the extent possible, that the credit union's name: • Is not already being officially used by another federal credit union; • Will not be confused with NCUA or another federal or state agency, or with another credit union; and • Does not include misleading or inappropriate language. The last three words in the name of every credit union chartered by NCUA must be “Federal Credit Union.” The word “community,” while not required, can only be included in the name of federal credit unions that have been granted a community charter. VII—NCUA Review VII.A—General Once NCUA receives a complete charter application package, an acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to the organizer. At some point during the review process, a staff member will be assigned to perform an on-site contact with the proposed officials and others having an interest in the proposed federal credit union. NCUA staff will review the application package and verify its accuracy and reasonableness. A staff member will inquire into the financial management experience and the suitability and commitment of the proposed officials and employees, and will make an assessment of economic advisability. The staff member will also provide guidance to the subscribers in the proper completion of the Organization Certificate, NCUA 4008. Credit and background investigations may be conducted concurrently by NCUA with other work being performed by the organizer and subscribers to reduce the likelihood of delays in the chartering process. The staff member will analyze the prospective credit union's business plan for realistic projections, attainable goals, adequate service to all segments of the field of membership, sufficient start-up capital, and time commitment by the proposed officials and employees. Any concerns will be reviewed with the organizer and discussed with the prospective credit union's officials. Additional on-site contacts by NCUA staff may be necessary. The organizer and subscribers will be expected to take the steps necessary to resolve any issues or concerns. Such resolution efforts may delay processing the application. NCUA staff will then make a recommendation to the regional director regarding the charter application. The recommendation may include specific provisions to be included in a Letter of Understanding and Agreement. In most cases, NCUA will require the prospective officials to adhere to certain operational guidelines. Generally, the agreement is for a limited term of two to four years. A sample Letter of Understanding and Agreement is found in Appendix B. VII.B—Regional Director Approval Once approved, the board of directors of the newly formed federal credit union will receive a signed charter and standard bylaws from the regional director. Additionally, the officials will be advised of the name of the examiner assigned responsibility for supervising and examining the credit union. VII.C—Regional Director Disapproval When a regional director disapproves any charter application, in whole or in part, the organizer will be informed in writing of the specific reasons for the disapproval. Where applicable, the regional director will provide information concerning options or suggestions that the applicant could consider for gaining approval or otherwise acquiring credit union service. The letter of denial will include the procedures for appealing the decision. VII.D—Appeal of Regional Director Decision If the regional director denies a charter application, in whole or in part, that decision may be appealed to the NCUA Board. An appeal must be sent to the appropriate regional office within 60 days of the date of denial and must address the specific reasons for denial. The regional director will then forward the appeal to the NCUA Board. NCUA central office staff will make an independent review of the facts and present the appeal with a recommendation to the NCUA Board. Before appealing, the prospective group may, within 30 days of the denial, provide supplemental information to the regional director for reconsideration. A reconsideration will contain new and material evidence addressing the reasons for the initial denial. The regional director will have 30 days from the date of the receipt of the request for reconsideration to make a final decision. If the request is again denied, the applicant may proceed with the appeal process within 60 days of the date of the last denial. A second request for reconsideration will be treated as an appeal to the NCUA Board. VII.E—Commencement of Operations Assistance in commencing operations is generally available through the various credit union trade organizations listed in Appendix E. All new federal credit unions are also encouraged to establish a mentor relationship with a knowledgeable, experienced credit union individual or an existing, well-operated credit union. The mentor should provide guidance and assistance to the new credit union through attendance at meetings and general oversight. Upon request, NCUA will provide assistance in finding a qualified mentor. VIII—Future Supervision Each federal credit union will be examined regularly by NCUA to determine that it remains in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and to determine that it does not pose undue risk to the NCUSIF. The examiner will contact the credit union officials shortly after approval of the charter in order to arrange for the initial examination (usually within the first six months of operation). The examiner will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the credit union and providing the necessary advice and guidance to ensure it is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The examiner will also monitor compliance with the terms of any required Letter of Understanding and Agreement. Typically, the examiner will require the credit union to submit copies of monthly board minutes and financial statements. The Federal Credit Union Act requires all newly chartered credit unions, up to two years after the charter anniversary date, to obtain NCUA approval prior to appointment of any new board member, credit or supervisory committee member, or senior executive officer. Section 701.14 of the NCUA Rules and Regulations sets forth the notice and application requirements. If NCUA issues a Notice of Disapproval, the newly chartered credit union is prohibited from making the change. NCUA may disapprove an individual serving as a director, committee member or senior executive officer if it finds that the competence, experience, character, or integrity of the individual indicates it would not be in the best interests of the members of the credit union or of the public to permit the individual to be employed by or associated with the credit union. If a Notice of Disapproval is issued, the credit union may appeal the decision to the NCUA Board. IX—Corporate Federal Credit Unions A corporate federal credit union is one that is operated primarily for the purpose of serving other credit unions. Corporate federal credit unions operate under and are administered by the NCUA Office of Corporate Credit Unions. X—Groups Seeking Credit Union Service NCUA will attempt to assist any group in chartering a credit union or joining an existing credit union. If the group is not eligible for federal credit union service, NCUA will refer the group to the appropriate state supervisory authority where different requirements may apply. XI—Field of Membership Designations NCUA will designate a credit union based on the following criteria: Single Occupational: If a credit union serves a single occupational sponsor, such as ABC Corporation, it will be designated as an occupational credit union. A single occupational common bond credit union may also serve a trade, industry, or profession (TIP), such as all teachers. Single Associational: If a credit union serves a single associational sponsor, such as the Knights of Columbus, it will be designated as an associational credit union. Multiple Common Bond: If a credit union serves more than one group, each of which has a common bond of occupation and/or association, it will be designated as a multiple common bond credit union. Community: All community credit unions will be designated as such, followed by a description of their geographic boundaries ( e.g. city or county). Credit unions desiring to confirm or submit an application to change their designations should contact the appropriate NCUA regional office. XII—Foreign Branching Federal credit unions are permitted to serve foreign nationals within their fields of membership wherever they reside provided they have the ability, resources, and management expertise to serve such persons. Before a credit union opens a branch outside the United States, it must submit an application to do so and have prior written approval of the regional director. A federal credit union may establish a service facility on a United States military installation or United States embassy without prior NCUA approval. Chapter 2—Field of Membership Requirements for Federal Credit Unions I—Introduction I.A.1—General As set forth in Chapter 1, the Federal Credit Union Act provides for three types of federal credit union charters—single common bond (occupational or associational), multiple common bond (multiple groups), and community. Section 109 (12 U.S.C. 1759) of the Federal Credit Union Act sets forth the membership criteria for each of these three types of credit unions. The field of membership, which is specified in Section 5 of the charter, defines those persons and entities eligible for membership. A single common bond federal credit union consists of one group having a common bond of occupation or association. A multiple common bond federal credit union consists of more than one group, each of which has a common bond of occupation or association. A community federal credit union consists of persons or organizations within a well-defined local community, neighborhood, or rural district. Once chartered, a federal credit union can amend its field of membership; however, the same common bond or community requirements for chartering the credit union must be satisfied. Since there are differences in the three types of charters, special rules, which are fully discussed in the following sections of this Chapter, may apply to each. I.A.2—Special Low-Income Rules Generally, federal credit unions can only grant loans and provide services to persons who have joined the credit union. The Federal Credit Union Act states that one of the purposes of federal credit unions is “to serve the productive and provident credit needs of individuals of modest means.” Although field of membership requirements are applicable, special rules set forth in Chapter 3 may apply to low-income designated credit unions and those credit unions assisting low-income groups or to a federal credit union that adds an underserved community to its field of membership. II—Occupational Common Bond II.A.1—General A single occupational common bond federal credit union may include in its field of membership all persons and entities who share that common bond. NCUA permits a person's membership eligibility in a single occupational common bond group to be established in five ways: • Employment (or a long-term contractual relationship equivalent to employment) in a single corporation or other legal entity makes that person part of a single occupational common bond; • Employment in a corporation or other legal entity with a controlling ownership interest (which shall not be less than 10 percent) in or by another legal entity makes that person part of a single occupational common bond; • Employment in a corporation or other legal entity which is related to another legal entity (such as a company under contract and possessing a strong dependency relationship with another company) makes that person part of a single occupational common bond; • Employment or attendance at a school makes that person part of a single occupational common bond (see Chapter 2, Section III.A.1); or • Employment in the same Trade, Industry, or Profession (TIP) (see Chapter 2, Section II.A.2). A geographic limitation is not a requirement for a single occupational common bond. However, for purposes of describing the field of membership, the geographic areas being served may be included in the charter. For example: • Employees, officials, and persons who work regularly under contract in Miami, Florida for ABC Corporation and subsidiaries; • Employees of ABC Corporation who are paid from * * *; • Employees of ABC Corporation who are supervised from * * *; • Employees of ABC Corporation who are headquartered in * * *; and/or • Employees of ABC Corporation who work in the United States. The corporation or other legal entity ( i.e. , the employer) may also be included in the common bond— e.g. , “ABC Corporation.” The corporation or legal entity will be defined in the last clause in Section 5 of the credit union's charter. A charter applicant must provide documentation to establish that the single occupational common bond requirement has been met. Some examples of single occupational common bonds are: • Employees of the Hunt Manufacturing Company who work in West Chester, Pennsylvania. (common bond—same employer with geographic definition); • Employees of the Buffalo Manufacturing Company who work in the United States. (common bond—same employer with geographic definition); • Employees, elected and appointed officials of municipal government in Parma, Ohio. (common bond—same employer with geographic definition); • Employees of Johnson Soap Company and its majority owned subsidiary, Johnson Toothpaste Company, who work in, are paid from, are supervised from, or are headquartered in Augusta and Portland, Maine. (common bond—parent and subsidiary company with geographic definition); • Employees of MMLLJS contractor who work regularly at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. (common bond—employees of contractors with geographic definition); • Employees, doctors, medical staff, technicians, medical and nursing students who work in or are paid from the Newport Beach Medical Center, Newport Beach, California. (single corporation with geographic definition); • Employees of JLS, Incorporated and MJM, Incorporated working for the LKM Joint Venture Company in Catalina Island, California. (common bond—same employer—ongoing dependent relationship); • Employees of and students attending Georgetown University. (common bond—same occupation); • Employees of all the schools supervised by the Timbrook Board of Education in Timbrook, Georgia. (common bond—same employer); or • All licensed nurses in Fairfax County, Virginia. (occupational common bond TIP). Some examples of insufficiently defined single occupational common bonds are: • Employees of manufacturing firms in Seattle, Washington. (no defined occupational sponsor; overly broad TIP); • Persons employed or working in Chicago, Illinois. (no occupational common bond); II.A.2—Trade, Industry, or Profession A common bond based on employment in a trade, industry, or profession can include employment at any number of corporations or other legal entities that—while not under common ownership—have a common bond by virtue of producing similar products, providing similar services, or participating in the same type of business. While proposed or existing single common bond credit unions have some latitude in defining a trade, industry, or profession occupational common bond, it cannot be defined so broadly as to include groups in fields which are not closely related. For example, the manufacturing industry, energy industry, communications industry, retail industry, or entertainment industry would not qualify as a TIP because each industry lacks the necessary commonality. However, textile workers, realtors, nurses, teachers, police officers, or U.S. military personnel are closely related and each would qualify as a TIP. The common bond relationship must be one that demonstrates a narrow commonality of interests within a specific trade, industry, or profession. If a credit union wants to serve a physician TIP, it can serve all physicians, but that does not mean it can also serve all clerical staff in the physicians' offices. However, if the TIP is based on the health care industry, then clerical staff would be able to be served by the credit union because they work in the same industry and have the same commonality of interests. If a credit union wants to include the airline services industry, it can serve airline and airport personnel but not passengers. Clients or customers of the TIP are not eligible for credit union membership ( e.g. , patients in hospitals). Any company that is involved in more than one industry cannot be included in an industry TIP ( e.g. , a company that makes tobacco products, food products, and electronics). However, employees of these companies may be eligible for membership in a variety of trade/profession occupational common bond TIPs. Since a TIP must be narrowly defined, it cannot include third party vendors and other suppliers. For example, the steel suppliers to the automobile industry would not be part of the automobile industry TIP. However, the automobile industry includes manufacturers and their automobile dealerships. In general, except for credit unions currently serving a national field of membership or operating in multiple states, a geographic limitation is required for a TIP credit union. The geographic limitation will be part of the credit union's charter and generally correspond to its current or planned operational area. More than one federal credit union may serve the same trade, industry, or profession, even if both credit unions are in the same geographic location. This type of occupational common bond is only available to single common bond credit unions. A TIP cannot be added to a multiple common bond or community field of membership. To obtain a TIP designation, the proposed or existing credit union must submit a request to the regional director. New charter applicants must follow the documentation requirements in Chapter 1. New charter applicants and existing credit unions must submit a business plan on how the credit union will serve the group with the request to serve the TIP. The business plan also must address how the credit union will verify the TIP. Examples of such verification include state licenses, professional licenses, organizational memberships, pay statements, union membership, or employer certification. The regional director must approve this type of field of membership before a credit union can serve a TIP. Credit unions converting to a TIP can retain members of record but cannot add new members from its previous group or groups, unless it is part of the TIP. Section II.B on Occupational Common Bond Amendments does not apply to a TIP common bond. Removing or changing a geographical limitation will be processed as a housekeeping amendment. If safety and soundness concerns are present, the regional director may require additional information before the request can be processed. Section II.H, on Other Persons Eligible for Credit Union Membership, applies to TIP based credit unions except for the corporate account provision which only applies to industry based TIPs. Credit unions with industry based TIPs may include corporations as members because they have the same commonality of interests as all employees in the industry. For example, an airline service TIP (industry) can serve an airline carrier (corporate account); however, a nurses TIP (profession) could not serve a hospital (corporate account) because not everyone working in the hospital shares the same profession. If a TIP designated credit union wishes to convert to a different TIP or employer-based occupational common bond, or different charter type, it only retains members of record after the conversion. The regional director, for safety and soundness reasons, may approve a TIP designated credit union to convert to its original field of membership. II.B—Occupational Common Bond Amendments II.B.1—General Section 5 of every single occupational federal credit union's charter defines the field of membership the credit union can legally serve. Only those persons or legal entities specified in the field of membership can be served. There are a number of instances in which Section 5 must be amended by NCUA. First, a group sharing the credit union's common bond is added to the field of membership. This may occur through various ways including agreement between the group and the credit union directly, or through a merger, corporate acquisition, purchase and assumption (P&A), or spin-off. Second, if the entire field of membership is acquired by another corporation, the credit union can serve the employees of the new corporation and any subsidiaries after receiving NCUA approval. Third, a federal credit union qualifies to change its common bond from: • A single occupational common bond to a single associational common bond; • A single occupational common bond to a community charter; or • A single occupational common bond to a multiple common bond. Fourth, a federal credit union removes a portion of the group from its field of membership through agreement with the group, a spin-off, or because a portion of the group is no longer in existence. An existing single occupational common bond federal credit union that submits a request to amend its charter must provide documentation to establish that the occupational common bond requirement has been met. The regional director must approve all amendments to an occupational common bond credit union's field of membership. II.B.2—Corporate Restructuring If the single common bond group that comprises a federal credit union's field of membership undergoes a substantial restructuring, the result is often that portions of the group are sold or spun off. This requires a change to the credit union's field of membership. NCUA will not permit a single common bond credit union to maintain in its field of membership a sold or spun-off group to which it has been providing service unless the group otherwise qualifies for membership in the credit union or the credit union converts to a multiple common bond credit union. If the group comprising the single common bond of the credit union merges with, or is acquired by, another group, the credit union can serve the new group resulting from the merger or acquisition after receiving a housekeeping amendment. II.B.3—Economic Advisability Prior to granting a common bond expansion, NCUA will examine the amendment's likely effect on the credit union's operations and financial condition. In most cases, the information needed for analyzing the effect of adding a particular group will be available to NCUA through the examination and financial and statistical reports; however, in particular cases, a regional director may require additional information prior to making a decision. II.B.4—Documentation Requirements A federal credit union requesting a common bond expansion must submit an Application for Field of Membership Amendment (NCUA 4015-EZ) to the appropriate NCUA regional director. An authorized credit union representative must sign the request. II.C—NCUA'S Procedures for Amending the Field of Membership II.C.1—General All requests for approval to amend a federal credit union's charter must be submitted to the appropriate regional director. II.C.2—Regional Director's Decision NCUA staff will review all amendment requests in order to ensure compliance with NCUA policy. Before acting on a proposed amendment, the regional director may require an on-site review. In addition, the regional director may, after taking into account the significance of the proposed field of membership amendment, require the applicant to submit a business plan addressing specific issues. The financial and operational condition of the requesting credit union will be considered in every instance. NCUA will carefully consider the economic advisability of expanding the field of membership of a credit union with financial or operational problems. In most cases, field of membership amendments will only be approved for credit unions that are operating satisfactorily. Generally, if a federal credit union is having difficulty providing service to its current membership, or is experiencing financial or other operational problems, it may have more difficulty serving an expanded field of membership. Occasionally, however, an expanded field of membership may provide the basis for reversing current financial problems. In such cases, an amendment to expand the field of membership may be granted notwithstanding the credit union's financial or operational problems. The applicant credit union must clearly establish that the expanded field of membership is in the best interest of the members and will not increase the risk to the NCUSIF. II.C.3—Regional Director Approval If the regional director approves the requested amendment, the credit union will be issued an amendment to Section 5 of its charter. II.C.4—Regional Director Disapproval When a regional director disapproves any application, in whole or in part, to amend the field of membership under this chapter, the applicant will be informed in writing of the: • Specific reasons for the action; • Options to consider, if appropriate, for gaining approval; and • Appeal procedure. II.C.5—Appeal of Regional Director Decision If a field of membership expansion request, merger, or spin-off is denied by the regional director, the federal credit union may appeal the decision to the NCUA Board. An appeal must be sent to the appropriate regional office within 60 days of the date of denial, and must address the specific reason(s) for the denial. The regional director will then forward the appeal to the NCUA Board. NCUA central office staff will make an independent review of the facts and present the appeal to the Board with a recommendation. Before appealing, the credit union may, within 30 days of the denial, provide supplemental information to the regional director for reconsideration. A reconsideration will contain new and material evidence addressing the reasons for the initial denial. The regional director will have 30 days from the date of the receipt of the request for reconsideration to make a final decision. If the request is again denied, the applicant may proceed with the appeal process within 60 days of the date of the last denial. A second request for reconsideration will be treated as an appeal to the NCUA Board. II.D—Mergers, Purchase and Assumptions, and Spin-Offs In general, other than the addition of common bond groups, there are three additional ways a federal credit union with a single occupational common bond can expand its field of membership: • By taking in the field of membership of another credit union through a common bond or emergency merger; • By taking in the field of membership of another credit union through a common bond or emergency purchase and assumption (P&A), or • By taking a portion of another credit union's field of membership through a common bond spin-off. II.D.1—Mergers Generally, the requirements applicable to field of membership expansions found in this chapter apply to mergers where the continuing credit union has a federal charter. That is, the two credit unions must share a common bond. Where the merging credit union is state-chartered, the common bond rules applicable to a federal credit union apply. Mergers must be approved by the NCUA regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the merging credit union, and, as applicable, the state regulators. If a single occupational credit union wants to merge into a multiple common bond or community credit union, Section IV.D or Section V.D of this Chapter, respectively, should be reviewed. II.D.2—Emergency Mergers An emergency merger may be approved by NCUA without regard to common bond or other legal constraints. An emergency merger involves NCUA's direct intervention and approval. The credit union to be merged must either be insolvent or likely to become insolvent, and NCUA must determine that: • An emergency requiring expeditious action exists; • Other alternatives are not reasonably available; and • The public interest would best be served by approving the merger. If not corrected, conditions that could lead to insolvency include, but are not limited to: • Abandonment by management; • Loss of sponsor; • Serious and persistent record keeping problems; or • Serious and persistent operational concerns. In an emergency merger situation, NCUA will take an active role in finding a suitable merger partner (continuing credit union). NCUA is primarily concerned that the continuing credit union has the financial strength and management expertise to absorb the troubled credit union without adversely affecting its own financial condition and stability. As a stipulated condition to an emergency merger, the field of membership of the merging credit union may be transferred intact to the continuing federal credit union without regard to any common bond restrictions. Under this authority, therefore, a single occupational common bond federal credit union may take into its field of membership any dissimilar charter type. The common bond characteristic of the continuing credit union in an emergency merger does not change. That is, even though the merging credit union is a multiple common bond or community, the continuing credit union will remain a single common bond credit union. Similarly, if the merging credit union is also an unlike single common bond, the continuing credit union will remain a single common bond credit union. Future common bond expansions will be based on the continuing credit union's original single common bond. Emergency mergers involving federally insured credit unions in different NCUA regions must be approved by the regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the merging credit union and, as applicable, the state regulators. II.D.3—Purchase and Assumption (P&A) Another alternative for acquiring the field of membership of a failing credit union is through a consolidation known as a P&A. A P&A has limited application because, in most cases, the failing credit union must be placed into involuntary liquidation. In the few instances where a P&A may be appropriate, the assuming federal credit union, as with emergency mergers, may acquire the entire field of membership if the emergency merger criteria are satisfied. However, if the P&A does not meet the emergency merger criteria, it must be processed under the common bond requirements. In a P&A processed under the emergency criteria, specified loans, shares, and certain other designated assets and liabilities, without regard to common bond restrictions, may also be acquired without changing the character of the continuing federal credit union for purposes of future field of membership amendments. If the purchased and/or assumed credit union's field of membership does not share a common bond with the purchasing and/or assuming credit union, then the continuing credit union's original common bond will be controlling for future common bond expansions. P&As involving federally insured credit unions in different NCUA regions must be approved by the regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the purchased and/or assumed credit union and, as applicable, the state regulators. II.D.4—Spin-Offs A spin-off occurs when, by agreement of the parties, a portion of the field of membership, assets, liabilities, shares, and capital of a credit union are transferred to a new or existing credit union. A spin-off is unique in that usually one credit union has a field of membership expansion and the other loses a portion of its field of membership. All common bond requirements apply regardless of whether the spun-off group becomes a new credit union or goes to an existing federal charter. The request for approval of a spin-off must be supported with a plan that addresses, at a minimum: • Why the spin-off is being requested; • What part of the field of membership is to be spun off; • Whether the affected credit unions have a common bond (applies only to single occupational credit unions); • Which assets, liabilities, shares, and capital are to be transferred; • The financial impact the spin-off will have on the affected credit unions; • The ability of the acquiring credit union to effectively serve the new members; • The proposed spin-off date; and • Disclosure to the members of the requirements set forth above. The spin-off request must also include current financial statements from the affected credit unions and the proposed voting ballot. For federal credit unions spinning off a group, membership notice and voting requirements and procedures are the same as for mergers (see Part 708 of the NCUA Rules and Regulations), except that only the members directly affected by the spin-off—those whose shares are to be transferred—are permitted to vote. Members whose shares are not being transferred will not be afforded the opportunity to vote. All members of the group to be spun off (whether they voted in favor, against, or not at all) will be transferred if the spin-off is approved by the voting membership. Voting requirements for federally insured state credit unions are governed by state law. Spin-offs involving federally insured credit unions in different NCUA regions must be approved by all regional directors where the credit unions are headquartered and the state regulators, as applicable. Spin-offs in the same region also require approval by the state regulator, as applicable. II.E—Overlaps II.E.1—General An overlap exists when a group of persons is eligible for membership in two or more credit unions. NCUA will permit single occupational federal credit unions to overlap any other charter without performing an overlap analysis. II.E.2—Organizational Restructuring A federal credit union's field of membership will always be governed by the common bond descriptions contained in Section 5 of its charter. Where a sponsor organization expands its operations internally, by acquisition or otherwise, the credit union may serve these new entrants to its field of membership if they are part of the common bond described in Section 5. NCUA will permit a complete overlap of the credit unions' fields of membership. If a sponsor organization sells off a group, new members can no longer be served unless they otherwise qualify for membership in the credit union or it converts to a multiple common bond charter. Credit unions must submit documentation explaining the restructuring and providing information regarding the new organizational structure. II.E.3—Exclusionary Clauses An exclusionary clause is a limitation precluding the credit union from serving the primary members of a portion of a group otherwise included in its field of membership. NCUA no longer grants exclusionary clauses. Those granted prior to the adoption of this new chartering manual will remain in effect unless the credit unions agree to remove them or one of the affected credit unions submits a housekeeping amendment to have it removed. II.F—Charter Conversion A single occupational common bond federal credit union may apply to convert to a community charter provided the field of membership requirements of the community charter are met. Groups within the existing charter which cannot qualify in the new charter cannot be served except for members of record, or groups or communities obtained in an emergency merger or P&A. A credit union must notify all groups that will be removed from the field of membership as a result of conversion. Members of record can continue to be served. Also, in order to support a case for a conversion, the applicant federal credit union may be required to develop a detailed business plan as specified in Chapter 2, Section V.A.3. A single occupational common bond federal credit union may apply to convert to a multiple common bond charter by adding a non-common bond group that is within a reasonable proximity of a service facility. Groups within the existing charter may be retained and continue to be served. However, future amendments, including any expansions of the original single common bond group, must be done in accordance with multiple common bond policy. II.G—Removal of Groups From the Field of Membership A credit union may request removal of a portion of the common bond group from its field of membership for various reasons. The most common reasons for this type of amendment are: • The group is within the field of membership of two credit unions and one wishes to discontinue service; • The federal credit union cannot continue to provide adequate service to the group; • The group has ceased to exist; • The group does not respond to repeated requests to contact the credit union or refuses to provide needed support; or • The group initiates action to be removed from the field of membership. When a federal credit union requests an amendment to remove a group from its field of membership, the regional director will determine why the credit union desires to remove the group. If the regional director concurs with the request, membership will continue for those who are already members under the “once a member, always a member” provision of the Federal Credit Union Act. II.H—Other Persons Eligible for Credit Union Membership A number of persons, by virtue of their close relationship to a common bond group, may be included, at the charter applicant's option, in the field of membership. These include the following: • Spouses of persons who died while within the field of membership of this credit union; • Employees of this credit union; • Persons retired as pensioners or annuitants from the above employment; • Volunteers; • Members of the immediate family or household; • Organizations of such persons; and • Corporate or other legal entities in this charter. Immediate family is defined as spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild. This includes stepparents, stepchildren, stepsiblings, and adoptive relationships. Household is defined as persons living in the same residence maintaining a single economic unit. Membership eligibility is extended only to individuals who are members of an “immediate family or household” of a credit union member. It is not necessary for the primary member to join the credit union in order for the immediate family or household member of the primary member to join, provided the immediate family or household clause is included in the field of membership. However, it is necessary for the immediate family member or household member to first join in order for that person's immediate family member or household member to join the credit union. A credit union can adopt a more restrictive definition of immediate family or household. Volunteers, by virtue of their close relationship with a sponsor group, may be included. Examples include volunteers working at a hospital or school. Under the Federal Credit Union Act, once a person becomes a member of the credit union, such person may remain a member of the credit union until the person chooses to withdraw or is expelled from the membership of the credit union. This is commonly referred to as “once a member, always a member.” The “once a member, always a member” provision does not prevent a credit union from restricting services to members who are no longer within the field of membership. III—Associational Common Bond III.A.1—General A single associational federal credit union may include in its field of membership, regardless of location, all members and employees of a recognized association. A single associational common bond consists of individuals (natural persons) and/or groups (non-natural persons) whose members participate in activities developing common loyalties, mutual benefits, and mutual interests. Separately chartered associational groups can establish a single common bond relationship if they are integrally related and share common goals and purposes. For example, two or more churches of the same denomination, Knights of Columbus Councils, or locals of the same union can qualify as a single associational common bond. Individuals and groups eligible for membership in a single associational credit union can include the following: • Natural person members of the association (for example, members of a union or church members); • Non-natural person members of the association; • Employees of the association (for example, employees of the labor union or employees of the church); and • The association. Generally, a single associational common bond does not include a geographic definition and can operate nationally. However, a proposed or existing federal credit union may limit its field of membership to a single association or geographic area. NCUA may impose a geographic limitation if it is determined that the applicant credit union does not have the ability to serve a larger group or there are other operational concerns. All single associational common bonds should include a definition of the group that may be served based on the association's charter, bylaws, and any other equivalent documentation. The common bond for an associational group cannot be established simply on the basis that the association exists. In determining whether a group satisfies associational common bond requirements for a federal credit union charter, NCUA will consider the totality of the circumstances, which includes: • Whether members pay dues; • Whether members participate in the furtherance of the goals of the association; • Whether the members have voting rights. To meet this requirement, members need not vote directly for an officer, but may vote for a delegate who in turn represents the members' interests; • Whether the association maintains a membership list; • Whether the association sponsors other activities; • The association's membership eligibility requirements; and • The frequency of meetings. A support group whose members are continually changing or whose duration is temporary may not meet the single associational common bond criteria. Each class of member will be evaluated based on the totality of the circumstances. Individuals or honorary members who only make donations to the association are not eligible to join the credit union. Educational groups—for example, parent-teacher organizations, alumni associations, and student organizations in any school—and church groups may constitute associational common bonds. Student groups ( e.g. , students enrolled at a public, private, or parochial school) may constitute either an associational or occupational common bond. For example, students enrolled at a church sponsored school could share a single associational common bond with the members of that church and may qualify for a federal credit union charter. Similarly, students enrolled at a university, as a group by itself, or in conjunction with the faculty and employees of the school, could share a single occupational common bond and may qualify for a federal credit union charter. The terminology “Alumni of Jacksonville State University” is insufficient to demonstrate an associational common bond. To qualify as an association, the alumni association must meet the requirements for an associational common bond. The alumni of a school must first join the alumni association, and not merely be alumni of the school to be eligible for membership. Homeowner associations, tenant groups, consumer groups, and other groups of persons having an “interest in” a particular cause and certain consumer cooperatives may also qualify as an association. Associations based primarily on a client-customer relationship do not meet associational common bond requirements. However, having an incidental client-customer relationship does not preclude an associational charter as long as the associational common bond requirements are met. For example, a fraternal association that offers insurance, which is not a condition of membership, may qualify as a valid associational common bond. Applicants for a single associational common bond federal credit union charter or a field of membership amendment to include an association must provide, at the request of the regional director, a copy of the association's charter, bylaws, or other equivalent documentation, including any legal documents required by the state or other governing authority. The associational sponsor itself may also be included in the field of membership— e.g. , “Sprocket Association”—and will be shown in the last clause of the field of membership. III.A.2—Subsequent Changes to Association's Bylaws If the association's membership or geographical definitions in its charter and bylaws are changed subsequent to the effective date stated in the field of membership, the credit union must submit the revised charter or bylaws for NCUA's consideration and approval prior to serving members of the association added as a result of the change. III.A.3—Sample Single Associational Common Bonds Some examples of associational common bonds are: • Regular members of Locals 10 and 13, IBEW, in Florida, who qualify for membership in accordance with their charter and bylaws in effect on May 20, 2001; • Members of the Hoosier Farm Bureau in Grant, Logan, or Lee Counties of Indiana, who qualify for membership in accordance with its charter and bylaws in effect on March 7, 1997; • Members of the Shalom Congregation in Chevy Chase, Maryland; • Regular members of the Corporate Executives Association, located in Westchester, New York, who qualify for membership in accordance with its charter and bylaws in effect on December 1, 1997; • Members of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin; • Members of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association; or • Members of St. John's Methodist Church and St. Luke's Methodist Church, located in Toledo, Ohio. Some examples of insufficiently defined single associational common bonds are: • All Lutherans in the United States. (Too broadly defined); or • Veterans of U.S. military service. (Group is too broadly defined; no formal association of all members of the group). Some examples of unacceptable single associational common bonds are: • Alumni of Amos University. (No formal association); • Customers of Fleetwood Insurance Company. (Policyholders or primarily customer/client relationships do not meet associational standards); • Employees of members of the Reston, Virginia Chamber of Commerce. (Not a sufficiently close tie to the associational common bond); or • Members of St. John's Lutheran Church and St. Mary's Catholic Church located in Anniston, Alabama. (Churches are not of the same denomination). III.B—Associational Common Bond Amendments III.B.1—General Section 5 of every associational federal credit union's charter defines the field of membership the credit union can legally serve. Only those persons who, or legal entities that, join the credit union and are specified in the field of membership can be served. There are three instances in which Section 5 must be amended by NCUA. First, a group that shares the credit union's common bond is added to the field of membership. This may occur through various ways including agreement between the group and the credit union directly, or through a merger, purchase and assumption (P&A), or spin-off. Second, a federal credit union qualifies to change its common bond from: • A single associational common bond to a single occupational common bond; • A single associational common bond to a community charter; or • A single associational common bond to a multiple common bond. Third, a federal credit union removes a portion of the group from its field of membership through agreement with the group, a spin-off, or a portion of the group is no longer in existence. An existing single associational federal credit union that submits a request to amend its charter must provide documentation to establish that the associational common bond requirement has been met. The regional director must approve all amendments to an associational common bond credit union's field of membership. III.B.2—Organizational Restructuring If the single common bond group that comprises a federal credit union's field of membership undergoes a substantial restructuring, the result is often that portions of the group are sold or spun off. This is an event requiring a change to the credit union's field of membership. NCUA may not permit a single associational credit union to maintain in its field of membership a sold or spun-off group to which it has been providing service unless the group otherwise qualifies for membership in the credit union or the credit union converts to a multiple common bond credit union. If the group comprising the single common bond of the credit union merges with, or is acquired by, another group, the credit union can serve the new group resulting from the merger or acquisition after receiving a housekeeping amendment. III.B.3—Economic Advisability Prior to granting a common bond expansion, NCUA will examine the amendment's likely impact on the credit union's operations and financial condition. In most cases, the information needed for analyzing the effect of adding a particular group will be available to NCUA through the examination and financial and statistical reports; however, in particular cases, a regional director may require additional information prior to making a decision. III.B.4—Documentation Requirements A federal credit union requesting a common bond expansion must submit an Application for Field of Membership Amendment (NCUA 4015-EZ) to the appropriate NCUA regional director. An authorized credit union representative must sign the request. III.C—NCUA Procedures for Amending the Field of Membership III.C.1—General All requests for approval to amend a federal credit union's charter must be submitted to the appropriate regional director. III.C.2—Regional Director's Decision NCUA staff will review all amendment requests in order to ensure conformance to NCUA policy. Before acting on a proposed amendment, the regional director may require an on-site review. In addition, the regional director may, after taking into account the significance of the proposed field of membership amendment, require the applicant to submit a business plan addressing specific issues. The financial and operational condition of the requesting credit union will be considered in every instance. The economic advisability of expanding the field of membership of a credit union with financial or operational problems must be carefully considered. In most cases, field of membership amendments will only be approved for credit unions that are operating satisfactorily. Generally, if a federal credit union is having difficulty providing service to its current membership, or is experiencing financial or other operational problems, it may have more difficulty serving an expanded field of membership. Occasionally, however, an expanded field of membership may provide the basis for reversing current financial problems. In such cases, an amendment to expand the field of membership may be granted notwithstanding the credit union's financial or operational problems. The applicant credit union must clearly establish that the expanded field of membership is in the best interest of the members and will not increase the risk to the NCUSIF. III.C.3—Regional Director Approval If the regional director approves the requested amendment, the credit union will be issued an amendment to Section 5 of its charter. III.C.4—Regional Director Disapproval When a regional director disapproves any application, in whole or in part, to amend the field of membership under this chapter, the applicant will be informed in writing of the: • Specific reasons for the action; • Options to consider, if appropriate, for gaining approval; and • Appeal procedures. III.C.5—Appeal of Regional Director Decision If a field of membership expansion request, merger, or spin-off is denied by the regional director, the federal credit union may appeal the decision to the NCUA Board. An appeal must be sent to the appropriate regional office within 60 days of the date of denial and must address the specific reason(s) for the denial. The regional director will then forward the appeal to the NCUA Board. NCUA central office staff will make an independent review of the facts and present the appeal to the NCUA Board with a recommendation. Before appealing, the credit union may, within 30 days of the denial, provide supplemental information to the regional director for reconsideration. A reconsideration will contain new and material evidence addressing the reasons for the initial denial. The regional director will have 30 days from the date of the receipt of the request for reconsideration to make a final decision. If the request is again denied, the applicant may proceed with the appeal process within 60 days of the date of the last denial. A second request for reconsideration will be treated as an appeal to the NCUA Board. III.D—Mergers, Purchase and Assumptions, and Spin-offs In general, other than the addition of common bond groups, there are three additional ways a federal credit union with a single associational common bond can expand its field of membership: • By taking in the field of membership of another credit union through a common bond or emergency merger; • By taking in the field of membership of another credit union through a common bond or emergency purchase and assumption (P&A); or • By taking a portion of another credit union's field of membership through a common bond spin-off. III.D.1—Mergers Generally, the requirements applicable to field of membership expansions found in this section apply to mergers where the continuing credit union is a federal charter. That is, the two credit unions must share a common bond. Where the merging credit union is state-chartered, the common bond rules applicable to a federal credit union apply. Mergers must be approved by the NCUA regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the merging credit union, and, as applicable, the state regulators. If a single associational credit union wants to merge into a multiple common bond or community credit union, Section IV.D or Section V.D of this Chapter, respectively, should be reviewed. III.D.2—Emergency Mergers An emergency merger may be approved by NCUA without regard to common bond or other legal constraints. An emergency merger involves NCUA's direct intervention and approval. The credit union to be merged must either be insolvent or likely to become insolvent, and NCUA must determine that: • An emergency requiring expeditious action exists; • Other alternatives are not reasonably available; and • The public interest would best be served by approving the merger. If not corrected, conditions that could lead to insolvency include, but are not limited to: • Abandonment by management; • Loss of sponsor; • Serious and persistent record keeping problems; or • Serious and persistent operational concerns. In an emergency merger situation, NCUA will take an active role in finding a suitable merger partner (continuing credit union). NCUA is primarily concerned that the continuing credit union has the financial strength and management expertise to absorb the troubled credit union without adversely affecting its own financial condition and stability. As a stipulated condition to an emergency merger, the field of membership of the merging credit union may be transferred intact to the continuing federal credit union without regard to any common bond restrictions. Under this authority, therefore, a single associational common bond federal credit union may take into its field of membership any dissimilar charter type. The common bond characteristic of the continuing credit union in an emergency merger does not change. That is, even though the merging credit union is a multiple common bond or community, the continuing credit union will remain a single common bond credit union. Similarly, if the merging credit union is an unlike single common bond, the continuing credit union will remain a single common bond credit union. Future common bond expansions will be based on the continuing credit union's single common bond. Emergency mergers involving federally insured credit unions in different NCUA regions must be approved by the regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the merging credit union and, as applicable, the state regulators. III.D.3—Purchase and Assumption (P&A) Another alternative for acquiring the field of membership of a failing credit union is through a consolidation known as a P&A. A P&A has limited application because, in most cases, the failing credit union must be placed into involuntary liquidation. In the few instances where a P&A may be appropriate, the assuming federal credit union, as with emergency mergers, may acquire the entire field of membership if the emergency merger criteria are satisfied. However, if the P&A does not meet the emergency merger criteria, it must be processed under the common bond requirements. In a P&A processed under the emergency criteria, specified loans, shares, and certain other designated assets and liabilities, without regard to common bond restrictions, may also be acquired without changing the character of the continuing federal credit union for purposes of future field of membership amendments. If the purchased and/or assumed credit union's field of membership does not share a common bond with the purchasing and/or assuming credit union, then the continuing credit union's original common bond will be controlling for future common bond expansions. P&As involving federally insured credit unions in different NCUA regions must be approved by the regional director where the continuing credit union is headquartered, with the concurrence of the regional director of the purchased and/or assumed credit union and, as applicable, the state regulators. III.D.4—Spin-Offs A spin-off occurs when, by agreement of the parties, a portion of the field of membership, assets, liabilities, shares, and capital of a credit union are transferred to a new or existing credit union. A spin-off is unique in that usually one credit union has a field of membership expansion and the other loses a portion of its field of membership. All common bond requirements apply regardless of whether the spun-off group becomes a new credit union or goes to an existing federal charter. The request for approval of a spin-off must be supported with a plan that addresses, at a minimum: • Why the spin-off is being requested; • What part of the field of membership is to be spun off; • Whether the affected credit unions have the same common bond (applies only to single associational credit unions); • Which assets, liabilities, shares, and capital are to be transferred; • The financial impact the spin-off will have on the affected credit unions; • The ability of the acquiring credit union to effectively serve the new members; • The proposed spin-off date; and • Disclosure to the members of the requirements set forth above. The spin-off request must also include current financial statements from the affected credit unions and the proposed voting ballot. [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A03-8721. Public record. Not legal advice.