TITLE 7.BANKING AND SECURITIES

Part 6. CREDIT UNION DEPARTMENT

Chapter 95. SHARE AND DEPOSITOR INSURANCE PROTECTION

Subchapter A. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

7 TAC §95.100

The Credit Union Commission adopts the repeal of existing rule §95.100 concerning account insurance. The proposed repeal was published in the November 3, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 8951).

The adopted repealed rule is replaced by new §95.100 and §95.101 which provide definitions for the relevant terms and specify the requirement that credit unions must obtain share and deposit insurance protection for its members. The requirement that a credit union maintain account insurance has been moved to new §95.101.

The rule is repealed as a result of the Credit Union Department’s general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed repeal was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral or written comments were received.

The repeal is adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires credit unions to maintain share and deposit insurance protection for its members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the repeal is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700498

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 3, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


7 TAC §§95.100 - 95.109

The Credit Union Commission adopts new §§95.100 - 95.109, concerning insurance requirements under Subchapter A, with no changes to the text published in the November 3, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 8951). The adopted new rules update and replace the old §95.100 concerning account insurance.

Section 95.100 provides definitions for the relevant terms found in the various sections of this subchapter.

Section 95.101, concerning share and depositor insurance protection, incorporates and expands on the requirements of old §95.100 that a credit union maintain share and deposit insurance. The adopted new rule specifies the requirement that credit unions must obtain share and deposit insurance for the protection of its members and indicates that the insurance protection may be obtained from NCUA or from an insuring organization approved by the Credit Union Department (Department).

Section 95.102 concerns the qualifications for an insuring organization. The adopted new rule prescribes requirements that an organization must meet to provide share and deposit insurance protection for state-chartered credit unions. The rule adoption provides that the insuring organization must be in good standing in its state of domicile, that it receive regular examinations from its state of domicile, and that it have adequate capital for its prospective business. The adopted rule also sets out departmental requirements and fees.

Section 95.103 describes the powers and duties granted to an approved insuring organization in carrying out its general purposes as a provider of share and deposit insurance protection.

Section 95.104 stipulates that an insuring organization must notify the Department when it receives an application for participation by a credit union and when a credit union terminates participation in the insuring organization's program.

Section 95.105 concerns reports filed by an insuring organization. The adopted rule specifies that an insuring organization file with the Commissioner annually audited financial statements, as well as periodic reports on the capital adequacy of the insuring organization.

Section 95.106 concerns the amount of insurance protection a credit union must maintain. The new rule adoption provides that a participating credit union must maintain insurance for its share and deposit accounts in an amount that is not less than the insurance coverage it would have under NCUSIF or its successor. The adopted rule also sets out the conditions for a credit union to issue membership shares that are not guaranteed and are subordinate to all other claims.

Section 95.107, concerning the sharing of confidential information, allows the Department, with the consent of the participating credit union, to share examinations and other records with an insuring organization to allow the insuring organization to assess the financial condition of the participating credit union.

Section 95.108, concerning examinations, provides that the Department may conduct examinations and investigations of an insuring organization, either within or outside the state. The rule adoption also provides that the Department shall perform a regular examination of each insuring organization.

Section 95.109 concerns fees and charges. The new rule adoption provides that the insuring organization pay the costs of an examination and permits the Department to engage professionals to perform examinations or investigations at the expense of the insuring organization.

The new rules are adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed new rules was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments in support of the new rules were received from Kelli Larsen of Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter stated that the provision for private share insurance is in the best interest of credit unions. The commenter requested clarification on §95.100(d), stating that the definition appeared to limit the insuring organization to providing aid and financial assistance only to credit unions that are in the process of liquidation or are incurring financial difficulty. The Department responds that the definition correctly describes the function of the insuring organization as the organization would not provide any aid until a credit union is in financial difficulty or in liquidation.

Written comments from the Texas Department of Insurance generally supported the rules but suggested that §95.102 be rewritten to require that the insuring organization be authorized to write share insurance by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Texas Credit Union Department declines to make the suggested amendment. The Texas Credit Union Department does not consider share insurance an insurance product nor is it regulated as insurance in any of the nine states with a similar share insurance program. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that share insurance is not insurance and places insuring organizations under §501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Department of Insurance also noted that the rules do not address any enforcement action the Texas Credit Union Department might take if the insuring organization becomes financially unsound or engages in wrongdoing. This comment is beyond the scope of these new rules but the concerns of the Department of Insurance have been addressed in proposed new §95.110.

The new rules are adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code, §15.410, which requires credit unions to provide share and deposit insurance protection for credit union members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the adopted new rules is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700497

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 3, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


Subchapter B. LIQUIDATING AGENTS

7 TAC §95.200

The Credit Union Commission adopts amendments to §95.200 concerning notice of taking possession with no changes to the text published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9103). The adopted amendments add a requirement that the Credit Union Department (Department) notify the NCUA or the insuring organization when it takes possession of the property and assets of a credit union. The adopted amendments also provide that the NCUA or the insuring organization is subrogated to all rights of the member up to the amount paid by the NCUA or the insuring organization to the member.

The amended rules are adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed amended rules was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments in support of the amendments were received from Kelli Larsen of Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter stated that it supported the Department's regulation of share insurance to guarantee the safety and soundness of credit unions and to protect member deposits.

The amendments are adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code, §15.410, which requires a credit union to maintain share and deposit insurance protection for its members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the amended rule is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700499

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


7 TAC §95.205

The Credit Union Commission adopts new §95.205 concerning the liability of the state for any deficiency, without changes to the text published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9103). The new rule clarifies that the state is not liable for the payment of any funds to a credit union by reason of any acts or omissions of the NCUA or an insuring organization. The rule further provides that the state is not liable for any deficiency of any credit union in the event the NCUA or insuring organization is unable to pay such deficiency.

The new rule is adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed new rule was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments in support of the new rule were received from Kelli Larsen with Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter stated that the proposed new and amended rules appeared to accomplish the task of protecting member deposits.

The new rule is adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires a credit union to maintain share and deposit insurance protection for its members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the new rule is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700501

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


Subchapter C. GUARANTY CREDIT UNION

7 TAC §§95.300 - 95.302, 95.304, 95.305

The Credit Union Commission adopts amendments to §§95.300 - 95.302, 95.304, and 95.305 of Subchapter C, Guaranty Credit Union, without changes to the text published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9104). The Department is making minor changes to clarify the rules governing a guaranty credit union chartered by the state.

The amendments to §95.300, concerning the establishment of a share and deposit guaranty credit union, make it clear that prior to commencing business in this state a guaranty credit union must file a written application with the commissioner. The amendments also change the term chartering to incorporation.

Section 95.301, concerning the authority of a guaranty credit union, also is amended to change the language from charter to certificate of incorporation.

Section 95.302, concerning powers of a guaranty credit union, is amended to change the language from member credit union to participating credit union to avoid confusion with a natural person credit union.

Section 95.304, concerning capital contributions, membership investment shares, and termination, is amended to add requirements for a guarantee fund maintained by a guaranty credit union and to further require each participating credit union to maintain a membership investment share with a guaranty credit union. The amendment defines what may be included in the guaranty fund. In addition the term member credit union is changed to participating credit union for consistency and clarification.

The amendment to §95.305, concerning the financial statements, accounting procedures, and reports for a guaranty credit union, changes the requirement for an actuarial study of the capital adequacy of the credit union from annually to at least once every three years and aligns it with the equivalent requirement for insuring organizations in Subchapter A.

The amendments are adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed new rules was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments supporting the amendments were received from Kelli Larsen of Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter supported the regulation of share insurance to guarantee the safety and soundness of credit unions and to protect member deposits.

The amended rules are adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires a credit union to maintain share and deposit insurance protection for its members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the amended rules is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700502

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


7 TAC §95.306

The Credit Union Commission adopts without change the repeal of §95.306 concerning requirements of a member credit union. The proposed repeal was published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9106). The repealed rule is being moved to a new Subchapter D, Disclosure for Non-Federally Insured Credit Unions, and rewritten to give credit unions guidance as to the contents and locations of the notices of the insurance status of their accounts.

The rule is repealed as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed repeal was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments on the proposed repeal were received from Kelli Larsen with Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter generally supported the rules regarding private share insurance.

The repeal is adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires credit unions to maintain share and deposit insurance protection for credit union members and depositors.

The specific section affected by the repeal is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700505

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


7 TAC §95.310

The Credit Union Commission adopts new §95.310 concerning fees and charges without changes to the text published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9106). The new rule clarifies that a guaranty credit union pays the same operating fees as a natural person credit union. The new rule also provides that the Department may engage professionals to perform the examination or investigation of the guaranty credit union at the expense of the credit union.

The new rule is adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed new rule was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments supporting the new rule were received from Kelli Larsen with Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter agreed that the Department should regulate the insuring organizations to protect the safety and soundness of credit unions.

The new rule is adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires credit unions to maintain share and deposit insurance.

The specific section affected by the new rule is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700503

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236


Subchapter D. DISCLOSURE FOR NON-FEDERALLY INSURED CREDIT UNIONS

7 TAC §95.400

The Credit Union Commission adopts new §95.400 concerning the notice requirements for non-federally insured credit unions without changes to the text published in the November 10, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 9107). The rule specifies that non-federally insured credit unions shall give appropriate notice of the insurance status of its share and deposit accounts. The new rule also prescribes the contents and locations of the notice and provides that notice of the insurance status must be given to members at the time a share or deposit account is established.

The new rule is adopted as a result of the Department's general rule review.

A public hearing on the proposed new rule was held at the Department offices on Friday, January 19, 2007. No oral comments were received.

Written comments in support of the new rule were received from Kelli Larsen with Firstmark Credit Union. The commenter believed that the provision of private share insurance is in the best interest of credit unions.

The new rule is adopted under the provision of the Texas Finance Code, §15.402, which authorizes the Commission to adopt reasonable rules for administering Title 2, Chapter 15 and Title 3, Subchapter D of the Texas Finance Code and under Texas Finance Code §15.410, which requires credit unions to maintain share and deposit insurance.

The specific section affected by the new rule is Texas Finance Code, §15.410.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2007.

TRD-200700504

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: March 7, 2007

Proposal publication date: November 10, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236