2025-11-14 | 2025-19888The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued final amendments to Regulation A to reflect a decrease in the primary credit rate charged by Federal Reserve Banks. The primary credit rate was reduced by 0.25 percentage points to 4.00 percent, and the secondary credit rate automatically decreased to 4.50 percent based on the established formula. These changes align with the Federal Open Market Committee's decision to lower the federal funds rate target range and became effective on November 14, 2025, with applicability dating back to October 30, 2025.
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Rules and Regulations Federal Register 51017 Vol. 90, No. 218 Friday, November 14, 2025 1 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. 2 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A). 3 5 U.S.C. 553(d). 4 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2). 5 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. 6 44 U.S.C. 3506; see 5 CFR part 1320, appendix A.1. FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 201 [Docket No. 1874] RIN 7100–AH06 Regulation A: Extensions of Credit by Federal Reserve Banks AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (‘‘Board’’) has adopted final amendments to its Regulation A to reflect the Board’s approval of a decrease in the rate for primary credit at each Federal Reserve Bank. The secondary credit rate at each Reserve Bank automatically decreased by formula as a result of the Board’s primary credit rate action. DATES: Effective date: This rule (amendments to part 201 (Regulation A)) is effective November 14, 2025. Applicability date: The rate changes for primary and secondary credit were applicable on October 30, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M. Benjamin Snodgrass, Special Counsel (202–263–4877), Legal Division, or Francis Martinez, Financial Institution & Policy Analyst (202–243–8717), Division of Monetary Affairs; for users of telephone systems via text telephone (TTY) or any TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services, please call 711 from any telephone, anywhere in the United States; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW, Washington, DC 20551. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Reserve Banks make primary and secondary credit available to depository institutions as a backup source of funding on a short-term basis, usually overnight. The primary and secondary credit rates are the interest rates that the twelve Federal Reserve Banks charge for extensions of credit under these programs. In accordance with the Federal Reserve Act, the primary and secondary credit rates are established by the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Banks, subject to review and determination of the Board. On October 29, 2025, the Board voted to approve a 0.25 percentage point decrease in the primary credit rate, thereby decreasing the primary credit rate from 4.25 percent to 4.00 percent. In addition, the Board had previously approved the renewal of the secondary credit rate formula, the primary credit rate plus 50 basis points. Under the formula, the secondary credit rate decreased by 0.25 percentage points as a result of the Board’s primary credit rate action, thereby decreasing the secondary credit rate from 4.75 percent to 4.50 percent. The amendments to Regulation A reflect these rate changes. The 0.25 percentage point decrease in the primary credit rate was associated with a 0.25 percentage point decrease in the target range for the federal funds rate (from a target range of 4 percent to 41⁄4 percent to a target range of 33⁄4 percent to 4 percent) announced by the Federal Open Market Committee on October 29, 2025, as described in the Board’s amendment of its Regulation D published elsewhere in today’s Federal Register. Administrative Procedure Act In general, the Administrative Procedure Act (‘‘APA’’) 1 imposes three principal requirements when an agency promulgates legislative rules (rules made pursuant to Congressionally delegated authority): (1) publication with adequate notice of a proposed rule; (2) followed by a meaningful opportunity for the public to comment on the rule’s content; and (3) publication of the final rule not less than 30 days before its effective date. The APA provides that notice and comment procedures do not apply if the agency for good cause finds them to be ‘‘unnecessary, impracticable, or contrary to the public interest.’’ 2 Section 553(d) of the APA also provides that publication at least 30 days prior to a rule’s effective date is not required for (1) a substantive rule which grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction; (2) interpretive rules and statements of policy; or (3) a rule for which the agency finds good cause for shortened notice and publishes its reasoning with the rule.3 The APA further provides that the notice, public comment, and delayed effective date requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553 do not apply ‘‘to the extent that there is involved . . . a matter relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts.’’ 4 Regulation A establishes the interest rates that the twelve Reserve Banks charge for extensions of primary credit and secondary credit. The Board has determined that the notice, public comment, and delayed effective date requirements of the APA do not apply to these final amendments to Regulation A. The amendments involve a matter relating to loans and are therefore exempt under the terms of the APA. Furthermore, because delay would undermine the Board’s action in responding to economic data and conditions, the Board has determined that ‘‘good cause’’ exists within the meaning of the APA to dispense with the notice, public comment, and delayed effective date procedures of the APA with respect to the final amendments to Regulation A. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis The Regulatory Flexibility Act (‘‘RFA’’) does not apply to a rulemaking where a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required.5 As noted previously, a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required if the final rule involves a matter relating to loans. Furthermore, the Board has determined that it is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking for this final rule. Accordingly, the RFA’s requirements relating to an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’) of 1995,6 the Board reviewed the final rule under the authority delegated to the Board by the Office of Management and Budget. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:38 Nov 13, 2025 Jkt 268001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14NOR1.SGM 14NOR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
51018 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 218 / Friday, November 14, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 1 12 U.S.C. 461(b). In March 2020, the Board set all reserve requirement ratios to zero percent. See Interim Final Rule, 85 FR 16525 (Mar. 24, 2020); Final Rule, 86 FR 8853 (Feb. 10, 2021). 2 12 CFR 204.5(a)(1). 3 12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(A) and (b)(12)(A). 4See 12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(A) & (b)(12)(C); see also 12 CFR 204.2(y). 5See 12 U.S.C. 461(b)(12)(B). 6See 12 CFR 204.10(b)(1). 7 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. 8 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A). 9 5 U.S.C. 553(d). final rule contains no requirements subject to the PRA. List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 201 Banks, Banking, Federal Reserve System, Reporting and recordkeeping. Authority and Issuance For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board is amending 12 CFR chapter II as follows: PART 201—EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT BY FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS (REGULATION A) ■ 1. The authority citation for part 201 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 248(i)–(j), 343 et seq., 347a, 347b, 347c, 348 et seq., 357, 374, 374a, and 461. ■ 2. In § 201.51, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as follows: § 201.51 Interest rates applicable to credit extended by a Federal Reserve Bank.3 (a) Primary credit. The interest rate at each Federal Reserve Bank for primary credit provided to depository institutions under § 201.4(a) is 4.00 percent. (b) Secondary credit. The interest rate at each Federal Reserve Bank for secondary credit provided to depository institutions under § 201.4(b) is 4.50 percent.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M. Benjamin Snodgrass, Special Counsel (202–263–4877), Legal Division, or Francis Martinez, Financial Institution & Policy Analyst (202–243–8717); for users of telephone systems via text telephone (TTY) or any TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services, please call 711 from any telephone, anywhere in the United States; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets NW, Washington, DC 20551. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Statutory and Regulatory Background For monetary policy purposes, section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act (‘‘Act’’) imposes reserve requirements on certain types of deposits and other liabilities of depository institutions.1 Regulation D, which implements section 19 of the Act, requires that a depository institution meet reserve requirements by holding cash in its vault, or if vault cash is insufficient, by maintaining a balance in an account at a Federal Reserve Bank (‘‘Reserve Bank’’).2 Section 19 also provides that balances maintained by or on behalf of certain institutions in an account at a Reserve Bank may receive earnings to be paid by the Reserve Bank at least once each quarter, at a rate or rates not to exceed the general level of short-term interest rates.3 Institutions that are eligible to receive earnings on their balances held at Reserve Banks (‘‘eligible institutions’’) include depository institutions and certain other institutions.4 Section 19 also provides that the Board may prescribe regulations concerning the payment of earnings on balances at a Reserve Bank.5 Prior to these amendments, Regulation D established IORB at 4.15 percent.6 II. Amendment to IORB The Board is amending § 204.10(b)(1) of Regulation D to establish IORB at 3.90 percent. The amendment represents a 0.25 percentage point decrease in IORB. This decision was announced on October 29, 2025, with an effective date of October 30, 2025, in the Federal Reserve Implementation Note that accompanied the FOMC’s statement on October 29, 2025. The FOMC statement stated that the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 33⁄4 to 4 percent. The Federal Reserve Implementation Note stated: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System voted unanimously to lower the interest rate paid on reserve balances to 3.90 percent, effective October 30, 2025. As a result, the Board is amending § 204.10(b)(1) of Regulation D to establish IORB at 3.90 percent. III. Administrative Procedure Act In general, the Administrative Procedure Act (‘‘APA’’) 7 imposes three principal requirements when an agency promulgates legislative rules (rules made pursuant to Congressionallydelegated authority): (1) publication with adequate notice of a proposed rule; (2) followed by a meaningful opportunity for the public to comment on the rule’s content; and (3) publication of the final rule not less than 30 days before its effective date. The APA provides that notice and comment procedures do not apply if the agency for good cause finds them to be ‘‘unnecessary, impracticable, or contrary to the public interest.’’ 8 Section 553(d) of the APA also provides that publication at least 30 days prior to a rule’s effective date is not required for (1) a substantive rule which grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction; (2) interpretive rules and statements of policy; or (3) a rule for which the agency finds good cause for shortened notice and publishes its reasoning with the rule.9 The Board has determined that good cause exists for finding that the notice, public comment, and delayed effective date provisions of the APA are unnecessary, impracticable, or contrary to the public interest with respect to these final amendments to Regulation D. The rate change for IORB that is reflected in the final amendment to VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:38 Nov 13, 2025 Jkt 268001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14NOR1.SGM 14NOR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1