I
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 154
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 2021
Mr. Rush (for himself, Mr. Carson, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Khanna, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide regulatory relief for Black and community banks, to codify the Minority Bank Deposit Program, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reenergized Economic Sustainability for Community and Urban Entities Act for Black and Community Banks
or the RESCUE Act for Black and Community Banks
.
Regulation of Black and Community Banks
Office of Black and Community Banks
Establishment
There is established within the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency an office to be known as the Office of Black and Community Banks
.
Supervision and examination of Black banks and community banks
The Comptroller of the Currency, acting through the Office of Black and Community Banks, shall supervise and examine Black banks and community banks.
Regulatory relief
In general
The Comptroller shall issue regulations to partially or completely exempt Black banks and community banks from Federal banking statutes and regulations, to the extent the Comptroller determines it appropriate without endangering the safety and soundness of such banks.
Treatment of manual underwriting
For purposes of risk-based capital requirements for Black banks and community banks, the Comptroller shall issue regulations to assign a lower level of risk to loans that are issued by such banks using manual underwriting, in recognition of the individualized scrutiny provided by manual underwriting.
Encouraging small-dollar lending
The Comptroller shall issue regulations to encourage affordable small-dollar lending by Black banks and community banks by providing regulatory flexibility with respect to such lending.
Regulatory relief under the securities laws
Investment products
With respect to investment products sold by a Black bank or a community bank (or an affiliate of such bank) to individuals in the community in which such bank is located, the Securities and Exchange Commission shall issue regulations to partially or completely exempt the bank from the securities laws and regulations issued under the securities laws, to the extent the Commission determines it appropriate without endangering the protection of investors.
Securities
In general
The Securities and Exchange Commission shall issue regulations to reduce the regulatory burden applicable to Black banks and community banks—
under the amendments made by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act;
issuing mortgage-backed securities; and
issuing securities backed by loans guaranteed by the Small Business Act.
Crowdfunding exemption
Section 4A of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77d–1) shall not apply to Black banks or community banks.
Conforming change to definition of appropriate Federal banking agency
Section 3(q)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q)(1)) is amended—
in subparagraph (B), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (C), by adding and
at the end; and
by adding at the end the following:
notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), any Black bank or community bank (as such terms are defined under section 5 of the RESCUE Act for Black and Community Banks);
.
Codification of the Minority Bank Deposit Program
In general
In general
Section 1204 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1811 note) is amended to read as follows:
Expansion of use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions
Minority Bank Deposit Program
Establishment
There is established a program to be known as the Minority Bank Deposit Program
to expand the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions.
Administration
The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Fiscal Service, shall—
on application by a depository institution or credit union, certify whether such depository institution or credit union is a minority bank, women’s bank, or low-income credit union;
maintain and publish a list of all depository institutions and credit unions that have been certified pursuant to subparagraph (A);
periodically distribute the list described in subparagraph (B) to—
all Federal departments and agencies;
interested State and local governments; and
interested private sector companies; and
support the creation of ratings, online Black bank resources, and database products, including online lending and investment facilities.
Inclusion of certain entities on list
A depository institution or credit union that, on the date of the enactment of this section, has a current certification from the Secretary of the Treasury stating that such depository institution or credit union is a minority bank, women’s bank, or low-income credit union shall be included on the list described under paragraph (2)(B).
Expanded use among Federal departments and agencies
In general
Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the program described in subsection (a), the head of each Federal department or agency shall develop and implement standards and procedures to ensure, to the maximum extent possible as permitted by law, the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions to serve the financial needs of each such department or agency.
Minimum requirement
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the head of each Federal department or agency shall ensure that at least 10 percent of the financial needs of each such department or agency are met by the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions.
Report to Congress
Not later than 2 years after the establishment of the program described in subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the head of each Federal department or agency shall submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to increase the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions to serve the financial needs of each such department or agency.
Definitions
For purposes of this section:
Credit union
The term credit union has the meaning given the term insured credit union in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752).
Depository institution
The term depository institution has the meaning given the term insured depository institution in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
Low-income credit union
The term low-income credit union means any entity described in section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act.
Minority
The term minority means any Black American, Native American, Hispanic American, or Asian American.
Minority bank
The term minority bank means any bank described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act for which—
more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares of which are held by 1 or more minority individuals;
the majority of the directors on the board of directors of which are minority individuals; and
a significant percentage of senior management positions of which are held by minority individuals.
Women’s bank
The term women’s bank means any bank described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act for which—
more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares of which are held by 1 or more women;
the majority of the directors on the board of directors of which are women; and
a significant percentage of senior management positions of which are held by women.
.
Conforming Amendments
The following provisions are amended by striking 1204(c)(3)
and inserting 1204(c)
:
Section 808(b)(3) of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (12 U.S.C. 2907(b)(3)).
Section 40(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831q(g)(1)(B)).
Section 704B(h)(4) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691c–2(h)(4)).
Amendments to the Community Reinvestment Act
Section 804(b) of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (12 U.S.C. 2903(b)) is amended to read as follows:
Cooperation with Minority Banks, Women’s Banks, and Low-Income Credit Unions Considered
In general
In assessing and taking into account, under subsection (a), the record of a financial institution, the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency shall consider as a factor capital investment, loan participation, and other ventures undertaken by the institution in cooperation with minority banks, women’s banks, community development financial institutions, and low-income credit unions provided that these activities help meet the credit needs of local communities in which such institutions and credit unions are chartered.
Definitions
FIRREA definitions
The terms low-income credit union, minority bank, and women’s bank have the meanings given such terms, respectively, in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1811 note).
Community development financial institution
The term community development financial institution has the meaning given in section 103(5) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702(5)).
.
Considerations when assessing financial inclusion for federally chartered financial institutions
In General
In assessing and taking into account the record of a federally chartered financial institution under any financial inclusion assessment process created by the Comptroller of the Currency in any rule relating to the chartering of a financial institution, the Comptroller shall consider as a factor capital investment, loan participation, and other ventures undertaken by the bank in cooperation with Black banks, women’s banks, community development financial institutions, and low-income credit unions, provided that these activities help meet the financial needs of local communities in which the federally chartered financial institution provides financial products or services.
Definitions
For purposes of this section:
Community development financial institution
The term community development financial institution has the meaning given in section 103(5) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702(5)).
Financial inclusion assessment process
The term financial inclusion assessment process means any process relating to the chartering of a financial institution whereby the Comptroller of the Currency assesses and takes into account the financial institution’s record of meeting the financial needs of the bank’s entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such bank.
Financial product or service
The term financial product or service has the meaning given such term in section 1002 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5481).
FIRREA definitions
The terms low-income credit union and women’s bank have the meanings given such terms, respectively, in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1811 note).
GAO Studies
New Markets Tax Credit Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on the award of the new markets tax credit by—
surveying communities and specifically talking to Black banks, community banks, and CDFIs that wish to receive the tax credit about why they are not receiving the tax credit;
determining where the tax credit money actually went and what it was used for; and
to the extent possible, using a case study approach.
Lower-Value home mortgage loan study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on mortgage loans with a principal amount of $100,000 or less, including—
who is making such loans currently;
how communities are encouraging such loans;
what changes could encourage banks and other persons to provide more such loans; and
any statutory or regulatory changes that the Comptroller believes may be needed to encourage more such loans.
Blockchain study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on blockchain technology and whether such technology could be used to increase investment by lower-income individuals in start-ups and other crowd-funded companies.
Definitions
For purposes of this Act:
Black bank
The term Black bank means an insured depository institution—
more than 50 percent of the ownership or control of which is held by 1 or more Black individuals; and
more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss of which accrues to 1 or more Black individuals.
CDFI
The term CDFI has the meaning given the term community development financial institution under section 103 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.
Community bank
The term community bank means an insured depository institution with less than $100,000,000 in consolidated assets.
Comptroller
The term Comptroller means the Comptroller of the Currency, except when used in the context of the Comptroller General of the United States.
Insured credit union
The term insured credit union has the meaning given such term under section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act.
Insured depository institution
The term insured depository institution—
has the meaning given such term under section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; and
includes an insured credit union.
Securities laws
The term securities laws has the meaning given such term under section 3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c).
