Regulatory Roundup: RECENT ACTIONS

ACCOUNTING RULES: The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council gave banks permission to use generally accepted accounting principles on call reports. Expected to be published soon. Effective with March 1997 call reports.

GOLDEN PARACHUTES: The FDIC prohibited troubled banks and thrifts from making "golden parachute" payments to executives who resign. The new regulation is a less stringent version of rules initially proposed in 1990. Published Feb. 15. Effective April 1.

FOREIGN BANKS: The FDIC freed foreign banks from several rules preventing them from accepting uninsured deposits of less than $100,000. The change is intended to let foreign and domestic banks compete on a level playing field. Published Feb. 14. Effective April 1.

AUDIT RULES: The FDIC amended its audit and reporting rules to ease some requirements for sound, well-managed banks. Published Feb. 21. Effective April 1.

EXAM GUIDELINES: The OCC revamped the way it examines national banks with more than $1 billion of assets. Released Jan. 4. Effective April 1.

INTEREST DEFINITION: The OCC broadened the definition of interest to include late charges, annual fees, and penalties for exceeding your credit limit. Published Feb. 9. Effective April 1.

CRIMINAL REFERRALS: All four bank and thrift agencies adopted rules streamlining the reporting of suspected criminal activity involving at least $5,000. Published Feb. 16. Effective April 1.

FOREIGN BANKS: The Fed released rules detailing how it will evaluate the operations of foreign banks not subject to comprehensive supervision in their home country. Published Feb. 23. Effective March 25.

APPEALS PROCESS: The OCC approved an appeals process for banks unsatisfied with an exam rating. The process includes safeguards to protect banks from examiner retaliation. Published Feb. 23. Effective Feb. 23.

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