During a meeting of the OCC’s Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee today, OCC senior staff revealed their anticipated timeline for implementing a section of S. 2155 — the new regulatory reform law — that would permit certain federal savings associations to elect the rights and duties of national banks. Making this election would remove portfolio asset restrictions known as the “qualified thrift lender test,” providing greater flexibility to federal savings associations to meet a wider range of community credit needs.
OCC staff noted that a proposed rule is currently in draft form and is undergoing further review. They added that they expect to publish the proposal in the Federal Register around Labor Day with a 60-day comment period, which would permit a final rule to be issued by year end.
