Regulatory Roundup: Comments Closed

CHANGING CHARTERS: Proposal by the NCUA to subject credit unions with community charters to Community Reinvestment Act-like requirements. The agency would review membership data and loan penetration rates to ensure that community-based credit unions serve their entire market. Published Oct. 29. Comments were due Nov. 28.

CAPITAL: Proposal by the banking and thrift agencies to standardize risk-based capital rules on mutual fund investments, construction loans for pre-sold residential property, and second mortgage loans on one- to four- family residential properties. It also would simplify leveraged capital requirements. Published Oct. 27. Comment were due Dec. 26.

UNREALIZED GAINS: Proposal by the banking and thrift agencies to let banks count 45% of unrealized equity investment gains as Tier 2 risk-based capital. Published Oct. 27. Comments were due Dec. 26.

DEMAND DEPOSITS: Proposal by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to follow the Fed and exempt banks from rules banning interest on demand deposits. Published Oct. 16. Comments were due Dec. 15.

FDIC APPLICATIONS: Proposal by the FDIC to speed approvals of mergers, new branches, deposit insurance coverage, and other activities for healthy financial institutions. Published Oct. 9. Comments were due Jan. 7.

STOCK OPTIONS: Proposal by the FDIC to allow stock options for outside directors and organizers of new banks and thrifts, provided the benefit does not encourage high-risk activities or interfere with the public's ability to buy shares. Published Oct. 9. Comments were due Jan. 7.

ELECTRONIC BENEFITS: Proposal by the Treasury Department to enforce the 1996 congressional mandate that all federal payments except tax refunds be made electronically by Jan. 1, 1999. Under the plan, federally insured financial institutions would bid for exclusive regional contracts to serve benefit recipients who lack bank accounts. Published Sept. 16. Comments were due Dec. 16.