4.6—Frequency of examination of national banks.
(a) General.
The OCC examines national banks pursuant to authority conferred by 12 U.S.C. 481 and the requirements of 12 U.S.C. 1820(d). The OCC is required to conduct a full-scope, on-site examination of every national bank at least once during each 12-month period.
(b) 18-month rule for certain small institutions.
The OCC may conduct a full-scope, on-site examination of a national bank at least once during each 18-month period, rather than each 12-month period as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, if the following conditions are satisfied:
(i)
Assigned the bank a rating of 1 or 2 for management as part of the bank's rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System; and
(ii)
Assigned the bank a composite rating of 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System;
(4)
The bank currently is not subject to a formal enforcement proceeding or order by the FDIC, OCC or the Federal Reserve System; and
(5)
No person acquired control of the bank during the preceding 12-month period in which a full-scope, on-site examination would have been required but for this section.
(c) Authority to conduct more frequent examinations.
This section does not limit the authority of the OCC to examine any national bank as frequently as the agency deems necessary.