New Comptroller's Handbook Published

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued a completely- revised manual that details procedures banks should follow for a wide range of corporate applications, such as opening new branches or offering new products and services.

The Comptroller's Corporate Manual is designed to assist the banking industry and public in determining where and how to file a corporate application, how to identify the regulatory requirements for corporate changes, and how to further their understanding of corporate filing processes and time frames. In addition, it is the primary procedural guide about corporate filings for OCC management and staff.

"The new manual not only incorporates recent changes in statutes and our regulations, but makes it easier for bankers and members of the public to use," said Julie L. Williams Acting Comptroller of the Currency. "I'm particularly pleased with some of the additions to the manual, such as the public involvement section, which clearly lays out our procedures and encourages public participation through comments on corporate applications."

This revised manual standardizes OCC processing of corporate filings and brings consistency to the record keeping and decision-making process.

The new edition of the Comptroller's Corporate Manual incorporates changes in national banking laws and regulations that have occurred since the last manual was published in early 1992. Among the changes reflected in the new manual are:

Recent statutory changes, including those contained in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, and the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996.

Policies and procedures to implement amendments to 12 CFR 5 and other regulations. These revisions update, streamline, and reduce unnecessary regulatory costs and burdens.

Procedures to address year-2000 concerns as part of the corporate application process.

The elimination of corporate filings for certain routine corporate activities, such as applications for ATMs.

Expedited processing of other types of corporate filings from healthy, well-capitalized national banks with "outstanding" or "satisfactory" CRA ratings. For example, such banks can use expedited review procedures when establishing branches or relocating branches and main offices.

The Comptroller's Corporate Manual is being issued as a series of 24 booklets, each of which is keyed to a major corporate area. The multiple-booklet format will allow for quicker and easier updating of material as new issues emerge, giving users more rapid access to important changes.

Each booklet will be on the OCC website as it is distributed to the public. Each will be fully searchable and will include sample forms that can be downloaded. The OCC website is www.occ.gov.

To order a subscription of the new Comptroller's Corporate Manual, write to the Comptroller of the Currency, P.O. Box 70004, Chicago, IL, 60673-0004. Include a check for $90 payable to the Comptroller of the Currency.