OCC Bulletin 2023-2 | January 12, 2023

Fair Lending: Revised Comptroller’s Handbook Booklet and Rescissions

To

Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, Federal Savings Associations, and Federal Branches and Agencies; Department and Division Heads; All Examining Personnel; and Other Interested Parties

Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued version 1.0 of the “Fair Lending” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook. This booklet provides information and examination procedures to assist OCC examiners in assessing fair lending risk and evaluating compliance with the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Regulation B, the consumer protection regulation that implements the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Rescissions

The revised booklet replaces the booklet of the same title issued in January 2010. Also rescinded is OCC Bulletin 2010-4, “Compliance Policy: Fair Lending – Revised Booklet,” which transmitted the prior version of this booklet.

Note for Community Banks

The “Fair Lending” booklet applies to the OCC’s supervision of community banks.¹

Highlights

The revised booklet

reflects changes to laws and regulations since this booklet was last published.
reflects the current OCC approach to fair lending examinations.
includes new and clarified details on examination scenarios.
includes clarified and expanded risk factors for a variety of examination types.
includes clarifying edits regarding supervisory guidance, sound risk management practices, and applicable legal standards.
revises certain content for clarity.

Further Information

Please contact Vonda Eanes, Director for Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Policy, at (202) 649-5470.

Grovetta N. Gardineer
Senior Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Policy