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OCC Bulletin 2020-57 | June 2, 2020
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Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, Savings Associations, and Federal Branches and Agencies; Department and Division Heads; All Examining Personnel; and Other Interested Parties
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a final rule today to clarify that when a national bank or savings association (bank) sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers (transfers) a loan, interest permissible before the transfer continues to be permissible after the transfer.
This final rule applies to community banks.
Federal law establishes that banks may charge interest on loans at the maximum rate permitted to any state-chartered or licensed lending institution in the state where the bank is located. In addition, banks are generally authorized to transfer loans and to enter into and assign loan contracts. Despite these clear authorities, recent developments have created legal uncertainty about the ongoing permissibility of the interest term after a bank transfers a loan. This rule clarifies that when a bank transfers a loan, interest permissible before the transfer continues to be permissible after the transfer.
Please contact Andra Shuster, Senior Counsel; Karen McSweeney, Special Counsel; or Priscilla Benner, Senior Attorney, Chief Counsel’s Office, at (202) 649-5490.
Jonathan V. Gould Senior Deputy Comptroller and Chief Counsel
