2022-01-06
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued this letter to alert supervised institutions to recently published FAQs regarding laws applicable to Covered Savings Associations. The guidance clarifies the rights and regulatory treatment of federal savings associations that have elected CSA status under the Home Owners’ Loan Act. Institutions are directed to consult the Board's website for the FAQs and periodic updates to ensure compliance with administered statutes and regulations.
Page 1 of 2 BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM WASHINGTON, D.C. 20551 DIVISION OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION SR 22-2 January 13, 2022 TO THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION AND APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY AND EXAMINATION STAFF AT EACH FEDERAL RESERVE BANK AND BANKING ORGANIZATIONS SUPERVISED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE SUBJECT: Status of Covered Savings Associations and Holding Companies of Covered Savings Associations Under Statutes and Regulations Administered by the Federal Reserve Applicability: This letter applies to federal savings associations that have elected to operate as a covered savings association under section 5A of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and to companies that control such federal savings associations. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) is issuing this letter to make the financial institutions aware of recently issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the laws and regulations applicable to Covered Savings Associations (CSAs) and companies controlling CSAs. 1 The FAQs are published on the Board’s public website.2 The FAQs are intended to assist CSAs and companies that control a CSA in complying with statutes and regulations administered by the Board. The Board may periodically update the FAQs. Accordingly, institutions are encouraged to check the Board’s public website for revisions to previously issued FAQs. Reserve Banks should distribute this SR letter to supervised institutions in their districts and to appropriate supervisory staff. Questions regarding this SR letter may be sent via the Board’s public website. 3 1 Section 5A of the Home Owners’ Loan Act permits certain federal savings associations (FSAs) to elect to operate as a CSA, which has the same rights, privileges, duties, restrictions, penalties, liabilities, conditions, and limitations as a national bank that has its main office in the same location as the home office of the CSA, with some exceptions. 12 U.S.C. § 1464a. 2 See https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/legalinterpretations/covered-savings-associations-frequentlyasked-questions.htm. 3 See https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/contactus/feedback.aspx.
Page 2 of 2 Michael S. Gibson Director Division of Supervision and Regulation Attachments: • Frequently Asked Questions about Covered Savings Associations Pursuant to Section 5A of the Home Owners’ Loan Act