Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans Exemption Threshold

Published date30 October 2019
Citation84 FR 58013
Record Number2019-21559
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtConsumer Financial Protection Bureau,The Comptroller Of The Currency Office
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 58013-58017]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-21559]
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                DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
                12 CFR Part 34
                [Docket No. OCC-2019-0022]
                RIN 1557-AE68
                FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
                12 CFR Part 226
                [Docket No. R-1678]
                RIN 7100-AF-61
                BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
                12 CFR Part 1026
                Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans Exemption Threshold
                AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC),
                Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); and Bureau of
                Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau).
                ACTION: Final rules, official interpretations and commentary.
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                SUMMARY: The OCC, the Board, and the Bureau are finalizing amendments
                to the official interpretations for their regulations that implement
                section 129H of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). Section 129H of TILA
                establishes special appraisal requirements for ``higher-risk
                mortgages,'' termed ``higher-priced mortgage loans'' or ``HPMLs'' in
                the agencies' regulations.
                 The OCC, the Board, the Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance
                Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA),
                and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) (collectively, the
                Agencies) issued joint final rules implementing these requirements,
                effective January 18, 2014. The Agencies' rules exempted, among other
                loan types, transactions of $25,000 or less, and required that this
                loan amount be adjusted annually based on any annual percentage
                increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
                Clerical Workers (CPI-W). If there is no annual percentage increase in
                the CPI-W, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau will not adjust this
                exemption threshold from the prior year. However, in years following a
                year in which the exemption threshold was not adjusted, the threshold
                is calculated by applying the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W
                to the dollar amount that would have resulted, after rounding, if the
                decreases and any subsequent increases in the CPI-W had been taken into
                account. Based on the CPI-W in effect as of June 1, 2019, the exemption
                threshold will increase from $26,700 to $27,200, effective January 1,
                2020.
                DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2020.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                 OCC: MaryAnn Nash, Counsel, Chief Counsel's Office, (202) 649-6287;
                for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing TTY, (202) 649-5597.
                 Board: Lorna M. Neill, Senior Counsel, Division of Consumer and
                Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at
                (202) 452-3667; for users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
                (TDD) only, contact (202) 263-4869.
                 Bureau: Kristen Phinnessee, Counsel, Office of Regulations, Bureau
                of Consumer Financial Protection, at (202) 435-7700. If you require
                this document in an alternative electronic format, please contact
                [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Background
                 The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
                2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to add
                special appraisal requirements for ``higher-risk
                [[Page 58014]]
                mortgages.'' \1\ In January 2013, the Agencies issued a joint final
                rule implementing these requirements and adopted the term ``higher-
                priced mortgage loan'' (HPML) instead of ``higher-risk mortgage'' (the
                January 2013 Final Rule).\2\ In July 2013, the Agencies proposed
                additional exemptions from the January 2013 Final Rule (the 2013
                Supplemental Proposed Rule).\3\ In December 2013, the Agencies issued a
                supplemental final rule with additional exemptions from the January
                2013 Final Rule (the December 2013 Supplemental Final Rule).\4\ Among
                other exemptions, the Agencies adopted an exemption from the new HPML
                appraisal rules for transactions of $25,000 or less, to be adjusted
                annually for inflation.
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                 \1\ Public Law 111-203, section 1471, 124 Stat. 1376, 2185-87
                (2010), codified at TILA section 129H, 15 U.S.C. 1639h.
                 \2\ 78 FR 10368 (Feb. 13, 2013).
                 \3\ 78 FR 48548 (Aug. 8, 2013).
                 \4\ 78 FR 78520 (Dec. 26, 2013).
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                 The OCC's, the Board's, and the Bureau's versions of the January
                2013 Final Rule and December 2013 Supplemental Final Rule and
                corresponding official interpretations are substantively identical. The
                FDIC, NCUA, and FHFA adopted the Bureau's version of the regulations
                under the January 2013 Final Rule and December 2013 Supplemental Final
                Rule.\5\
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                 \5\ See NCUA: 12 CFR 722.3; FHFA: 12 CFR part 1222. Although the
                FDIC adopted the Bureau's version of the regulation, the FDIC did
                not issue its own regulation containing a cross-reference to the
                Bureau's version. See 78 FR 10368, 10370 (Feb. 13, 2013).
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                 The OCC's, Board's, and Bureau's regulations,\6\ and their
                accompanying interpretations,\7\ provide that the exemption threshold
                for smaller loans will be adjusted effective January 1 of each year
                based on any annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for
                Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that was in effect on
                the preceding June 1. Any increase in the threshold amount will be
                rounded to the nearest $100 increment. For example, if the annual
                percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in a $950 increase in the
                threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000.
                However, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in
                a $949 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be
                increased by $900. If there is no annual percentage increase in the
                CPI-W, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau will not adjust the threshold
                amounts from the prior year.\8\
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                 \6\ 12 CFR 34.203(b)(2) (OCC); 12 CFR 226.43(b)(2) (Board); and
                12 CFR 1026.35(c)(2)(ii) (Bureau).
                 \7\ 12 CFR part 34, appendix C to subpart G, comment 203(b)(2)-1
                (OCC); 12 CFR part 226, Supplement I, comment 43(b)(2)-1 (Board);
                and 12 CFR part 1026, Supplement I, comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-1 (Bureau).
                 \8\ See 12 CFR part 34, appendix C to subpart G, comment
                203(b)(2)-1 and -2 (OCC); 12 CFR part 226, Supplement I, comment
                43(b)(2)-1 and -2 (Board); and 12 CFR part 1026, Supplement I,
                comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-1 and -2 (Bureau).
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                 On November 30, 2016, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau published
                a final rule in the Federal Register to memorialize the calculation
                method used by the agencies each year to adjust the exemption threshold
                to ensure that the values for the exemption threshold keep pace with
                the CPI-W (HPML Small Dollar Adjustment Calculation Rule).\9\ The HPML
                Small Dollar Adjustment Calculation Rule memorialized the policy that,
                if there is no annual percentage increase in the CPI-W, the OCC, the
                Board, and Bureau will not adjust the exemption threshold from the
                prior year. The HPML Small Dollar Adjustment Calculation Rule also
                provided that, in years following a year in which the exemption
                threshold was not adjusted because there was a decrease in the CPI-W
                from the previous year, the threshold is calculated by applying the
                annual percentage change in the CPI-W to the dollar amount that would
                have resulted, after rounding, if the decreases and any subsequent
                increases in the CPI-W had been taken into account. If the resulting
                amount calculated, after rounding, is greater than the current
                threshold, then the threshold effective January 1 the following year
                will increase accordingly; if the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is equal to or less than the current threshold, then the
                threshold effective January 1 the following year will not change, but
                future increases will be calculated based on the amount that would have
                resulted, after rounding.
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                 \9\ See 81 FR 86250 (Nov. 30, 2016).
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                II. 2020 Adjustment and Commentary Revision
                 Effective January 1, 2020, the exemption threshold amount is
                increased from $26,700 to $27,200. This increase is based on the CPI-W
                in effect on June 1, 2019, which was reported on May 10, 2019. The
                Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes consumer-based indices monthly,
                but does not report a CPI change on June 1; indices are reported in the
                middle of the prior month. The CPI-W is a subset of the CPI-U index
                (based on all urban consumers) and represents approximately 29 percent
                of the U.S. population. The CPI-W reported on May 10, 2019, reflects a
                1.9 percent increase in the CPI-W from April 2018 to April 2019.
                Accordingly, the 1.9 percent increase in the CPI-W from April 2018 to
                April 2019 results in an exemption threshold amount of $27,200. The
                OCC, the Board, and the Bureau are revising the commentaries to their
                respective regulations to add new comments as follows:
                 Comment 203(b)(2)-3.vii to 12 CFR part 34, appendix C to
                subpart G (OCC);
                 Comment 43(b)(2)-3.vii to Supplement I of 12 CFR part 226
                (Board); and
                 Comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-3.vii to Supplement I of 12 CFR part
                1026 (Bureau).
                These new comments state that, from January 1, 2020, through December
                31, 2020, the threshold amount is $27,200. These revisions are
                effective January 1, 2020.\10\
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                 \10\ The Office of the Federal Register requires the OCC, the
                Board, and the Bureau to reprint sections of commentary being
                amended in their entirety, rather than solely printing the amended
                portion. Therefore, sections of commentary included in this document
                show the language of those sections in their entirety.
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                III. Regulatory Analysis
                Administrative Procedure Act
                 Under the Administrative Procedure Act, notice and opportunity for
                public comment are not required if the agency finds that notice and
                public comment are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
                public interest.\11\ The amendments in this rule are technical and
                apply the method previously memorialized in the December 2013
                Supplemental Final Rule and the HPML Small Dollar Adjustment
                Calculation Rule. For these reasons, the OCC, the Board, and the Bureau
                have determined that publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking and
                providing opportunity for public comment are unnecessary. Therefore,
                the amendments are adopted in final form.
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                 \11\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
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                Regulatory Flexibility Act
                 The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) does not apply to a rulemaking
                where a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required.\12\ As
                noted previously, the agencies have determined that it is unnecessary
                to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking for this joint final
                rule. Accordingly, the RFA's requirements relating to an initial and
                final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply.
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                 \12\ 5 U.S.C. 603(a), 604(a).
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                Paperwork Reduction Act
                 In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,\13\ the
                agencies
                [[Page 58015]]
                reviewed this final rule. No collections of information pursuant to the
                Paperwork Reduction Act are contained in the final rule.
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                 \13\ 44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320.
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                Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                 The OCC analyzes proposed rules for the factors listed in Section
                202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, before promulgating a
                final rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking was
                published.\14\ As discussed above, the OCC has determined that the
                publication of a general notice of proposed rulemaking is unnecessary.
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                 \14\ 2 U.S.C. 1532.
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                Bureau Congressional Review Act Statement
                 Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.),
                the Bureau will submit a report containing this rule and other required
                information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and
                the Comptroller General of the United States prior to the rule taking
                effect. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has
                designated this rule as not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
                804(2).
                List of Subjects
                12 CFR Part 34
                 Appraisal, Appraiser, Banks, Banking, Consumer protection, Credit,
                Mortgages, National banks, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
                Savings associations, Truth in lending.
                12 CFR Part 226
                 Advertising, Appraisal, Appraiser, Consumer protection, Credit,
                Federal Reserve System, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Truth
                in lending.
                12 CFR Part 1026
                 Advertising, Appraisal, Appraiser, Banking, Banks, Consumer
                protection, Credit, Credit unions, Mortgages, National banks, Reporting
                and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations, Truth in lending.
                DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
                Authority and Issuance
                 For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the OCC amends 12 CFR
                part 34 as set forth below:
                PART 34--REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS
                0
                1. The authority citation for part 34 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 93a, 371, 1462a, 1463,
                1464, 1465, 1701j-3, 1828(o), 3331 et seq., 5101 et seq., and
                5412(b)(2)(B) and 15 U.S.C. 1639h.
                0
                2. In appendix C to subpart G, under Section 34.203--Appraisals for
                Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans, revise Paragraph 34.203(b)(2) to read as
                follows:
                Appendix C to Subpart G--OCC Interpretations
                * * * * *
                Section 34.203--Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans
                * * * * *
                Paragraph 34.203(b)(2)
                 1. Threshold amount. For purposes of Sec. 34.203(b)(2), the
                threshold amount in effect during a particular period is the amount
                stated in comment 203(b)(2)-3 for that period. The threshold amount
                is adjusted effective January 1 of each year by any annual
                percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
                Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that was in effect on the
                preceding June 1. Comment 203(b)(2)-3 will be amended to provide the
                threshold amount for the upcoming year after the annual percentage
                change in the CPI-W that was in effect on June 1 becomes available.
                Any increase in the threshold amount will be rounded to the nearest
                $100 increment. For example, if the annual percentage increase in
                the CPI-W would result in a $950 increase in the threshold amount,
                the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000. However, if the
                annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in a $949
                increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be
                increased by $900.
                 2. No increase in the CPI-W. If the CPI-W in effect on June 1
                does not increase from the CPI-W in effect on June 1 of the previous
                year, the threshold amount effective the following January 1 through
                December 31 will not change from the previous year. When this
                occurs, for the years that follow, the threshold is calculated based
                on the annual percentage change in the CPI-W applied to the dollar
                amount that would have resulted, after rounding, if decreases and
                any subsequent increases in the CPI-W had been taken into account.
                 i. Net increases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is greater than the current threshold, then the threshold
                effective January 1 the following year will increase accordingly.
                 ii. Net decreases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is equal to or less than the current threshold, then the
                threshold effective January 1 the following year will not change,
                but future increases will be calculated based on the amount that
                would have resulted.
                 3. Threshold. For purposes of Sec. 34.203(b)(2), the threshold
                amount in effect during a particular period is the amount stated
                below for that period.
                 i. From January 18, 2014, through December 31, 2014, the
                threshold amount is $25,000.
                 ii. From January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iv. From January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 v. From January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, the
                threshold amount is $26,000.
                 vi. From January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, the
                threshold amount is $26,700.
                 vii. From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, the
                threshold amount is $27,200.
                 4. Qualifying for exemption--in general. A transaction is exempt
                under Sec. 34.203(b)(2) if the creditor makes an extension of
                credit at consummation that is equal to or below the threshold
                amount in effect at the time of consummation.
                 5. Qualifying for exemption--subsequent changes. A transaction
                does not meet the condition for an exemption under Sec.
                34.203(b)(2) merely because it is used to satisfy and replace an
                existing exempt loan, unless the amount of the new extension of
                credit is equal to or less than the applicable threshold amount. For
                example, assume a closed-end loan that qualified for a Sec.
                34.203(b)(2) exemption at consummation in year one is refinanced in
                year ten and that the new loan amount is greater than the threshold
                amount in effect in year ten. In these circumstances, the creditor
                must comply with all of the applicable requirements of Sec. 34.203
                with respect to the year ten transaction if the original loan is
                satisfied and replaced by the new loan, unless another exemption
                from the requirements of Sec. 34.203 applies. See Sec. 34.203(b)
                and (d)(7).
                * * * * *
                BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
                Authority and Issuance
                 For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends
                Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 226, as set forth below:
                PART 226--TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)
                0
                3. The authority citation for part 226 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 12 U.S.C. 3806; 15 U.S.C. 1604, 1637(c)(5), 1639(l),
                and 1639h; Pub. L. 111-24, section 2, 123 Stat. 1734; Pub. L. 111-
                203, 124 Stat. 1376.
                0
                4. In Supplement I to part 226, under Section 226.43--Appraisals for
                Higher-Risk Mortgage Loans, revise Paragraph 43(b)(2) to read as
                follows:
                [[Page 58016]]
                Supplement I to Part 226--Official Staff Interpretations
                * * * * *
                Section 226.43--Appraisals for Higher-Risk Mortgage Loans
                * * * * *
                Paragraph 43(b)(2)
                 1. Threshold amount. For purposes of Sec. 226.43(b)(2), the
                threshold amount in effect during a particular period is the amount
                stated in comment 43(b)(2)-3 for that period. The threshold amount
                is adjusted effective January 1 of each year by any annual
                percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
                Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that was in effect on the
                preceding June 1. Comment 43(b)(2)-3 will be amended to provide the
                threshold amount for the upcoming year after the annual percentage
                change in the CPI-W that was in effect on June 1 becomes available.
                Any increase in the threshold amount will be rounded to the nearest
                $100 increment. For example, if the annual percentage increase in
                the CPI-W would result in a $950 increase in the threshold amount,
                the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000. However, if the
                annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result in a $949
                increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount will be
                increased by $900.
                 2. No increase in the CPI-W. If the CPI-W in effect on June 1
                does not increase from the CPI-W in effect on June 1 of the previous
                year, the threshold amount effective the following January 1 through
                December 31 will not change from the previous year. When this
                occurs, for the years that follow, the threshold is calculated based
                on the annual percentage change in the CPI-W applied to the dollar
                amount that would have resulted, after rounding, if decreases and
                any subsequent increases in the CPI-W had been taken into account.
                 i. Net increases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is greater than the current threshold, then the threshold
                effective January 1 the following year will increase accordingly.
                 ii. Net decreases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is equal to or less than the current threshold, then the
                threshold effective January 1 the following year will not change,
                but future increases will be calculated based on the amount that
                would have resulted.
                 3. Threshold. For purposes of Sec. 226.43(b)(2), the threshold
                amount in effect during a particular period is the amount stated
                below for that period.
                 i. From January 18, 2014, through December 31, 2014, the
                threshold amount is $25,000.
                 ii. From January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iv. From January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 v. From January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, the
                threshold amount is $26,000.
                 vi. From January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, the
                threshold amount is $26,700.
                 vii. From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, the
                threshold amount is $27,200.
                 4. Qualifying for exemption--in general. A transaction is exempt
                under Sec. 226.43(b)(2) if the creditor makes an extension of
                credit at consummation that is equal to or below the threshold
                amount in effect at the time of consummation.
                 5. Qualifying for exemption--subsequent changes. A transaction
                does not meet the condition for an exemption under Sec.
                226.43(b)(2) merely because it is used to satisfy and replace an
                existing exempt loan, unless the amount of the new extension of
                credit is equal to or less than the applicable threshold amount. For
                example, assume a closed-end loan that qualified for a Sec.
                226.43(b)(2) exemption at consummation in year one is refinanced in
                year ten and that the new loan amount is greater than the threshold
                amount in effect in year ten. In these circumstances, the creditor
                must comply with all of the applicable requirements of Sec. 226.43
                with respect to the year ten transaction if the original loan is
                satisfied and replaced by the new loan, unless another exemption
                from the requirements of Sec. 226.43 applies. See Sec. 226.43(b)
                and (d)(7).
                * * * * *
                BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
                Authority and Issuance
                 For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Bureau amends
                Regulation Z, 12 CFR part 1026, as set forth below:
                PART 1026--TRUTH IN LENDING (REGULATION Z)
                0
                5. The authority citation for part 1026 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2601, 2603-2605, 2607, 2609, 2617, 3353,
                5511, 5512, 5532, 5581; 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.
                0
                6. In Supplement I to part 1026, under Section 1026.35--Requirements
                for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans, revise Paragraph 35(c)(2)(ii) to read
                as follows:
                Supplement I to Part 1026--Official Interpretations
                * * * * *
                Section 1026.35--Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans
                * * * * *
                Paragraph 35(c)(2)(ii)
                 1. Threshold amount. For purposes of Sec. 1026.35(c)(2)(ii),
                the threshold amount in effect during a particular period is the
                amount stated in comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-3 for that period. The
                threshold amount is adjusted effective January 1 of each year by any
                annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban
                Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) that was in effect on the
                preceding June 1. Comment 35(c)(2)(ii)-3 will be amended to provide
                the threshold amount for the upcoming year after the annual
                percentage change in the CPI-W that was in effect on June 1 becomes
                available. Any increase in the threshold amount will be rounded to
                the nearest $100 increment. For example, if the annual percentage
                increase in the CPI-W would result in a $950 increase in the
                threshold amount, the threshold amount will be increased by $1,000.
                However, if the annual percentage increase in the CPI-W would result
                in a $949 increase in the threshold amount, the threshold amount
                will be increased by $900.
                 2. No increase in the CPI-W. If the CPI-W in effect on June 1
                does not increase from the CPI-W in effect on June 1 of the previous
                year, the threshold amount effective the following January 1 through
                December 31 will not change from the previous year. When this
                occurs, for the years that follow, the threshold is calculated based
                on the annual percentage change in the CPI-W applied to the dollar
                amount that would have resulted, after rounding, if decreases and
                any subsequent increases in the CPI-W had been taken into account.
                 i. Net increases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is greater than the current threshold, then the threshold
                effective January 1 the following year will increase accordingly.
                 ii. Net decreases. If the resulting amount calculated, after
                rounding, is equal to or less than the current threshold, then the
                threshold effective January 1 the following year will not change,
                but future increases will be calculated based on the amount that
                would have resulted.
                 3. Threshold. For purposes of Sec. 1026.35(c)(2)(ii), the
                threshold amount in effect during a particular period is the amount
                stated below for that period.
                 i. From January 18, 2014, through December 31, 2014, the
                threshold amount is $25,000.
                 ii. From January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iii. From January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 iv. From January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017, the
                threshold amount is $25,500.
                 v. From January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, the
                threshold amount is $26,000.
                 vi. From January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, the
                threshold amount is $26,700.
                 vii. From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, the
                threshold amount is $27,200.
                 4. Qualifying for exemption--in general. A transaction is exempt
                under Sec. 1026.35(c)(2)(ii) if the creditor makes an extension of
                credit at consummation that is equal to or below the threshold
                amount in effect at the time of consummation.
                 5. Qualifying for exemption--subsequent changes. A transaction
                does not meet the condition for an exemption under Sec.
                1026.35(c)(2)(ii) merely because it is used to
                [[Page 58017]]
                satisfy and replace an existing exempt loan, unless the amount of
                the new extension of credit is equal to or less than the applicable
                threshold amount. For example, assume a closed-end loan that
                qualified for a Sec. 1026.35(c)(2)(ii) exemption at consummation in
                year one is refinanced in year ten and that the new loan amount is
                greater than the threshold amount in effect in year ten. In these
                circumstances, the creditor must comply with all of the applicable
                requirements of Sec. 1026.35(c) with respect to the year ten
                transaction if the original loan is satisfied and replaced by the
                new loan, unless another exemption from the requirements of Sec.
                1026.35(c) applies. See Sec. 1026.35(c)(2) and (c)(4)(vii).
                * * * * *
                 Dated: September 27, 2019.
                Morris R. Morgan,
                First Deputy Comptroller, Comptroller of the Currency.
                 By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
                System, acting through the Secretary of the Board under delegated
                authority, September 20, 2019.
                Ann E. Misback,
                Secretary of the Board.
                 Dated: September 24, 2019.
                Thomas Pahl,
                Policy Associate Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
                [FR Doc. 2019-21559 Filed 10-29-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE: 4810-33- 6210-01- 4810-AM-P
                

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