701.36—FCU ownership of fixed assets.
(a) Investment in Fixed Assets.
(1)
No Federal credit union with $1,000,000 or more in assets may invest in any fixed assets if the investment would cause the aggregate of all such investments to exceed five percent of the credit union's shares and retained earnings.
(i)
A Federal credit union desiring a waiver must submit a written request to the NCUA regional office having jurisdiction over the geographical area in which the credit union's main office is located. The request must describe in detail the contemplated investment and the need for the investment. The request must also indicate the approximate aggregate amount of fixed assets, as a percentage of shares and retained earnings, that the credit union would hold after the investment.
(ii)
The regional director will inform the requesting credit union, in writing, of the date the request was received and of any additional documentation that the regional director might require in support of the waiver request.
(iii)
The regional director will approve or disapprove the waiver request in writing within 45 days after receipt of the request and all necessary supporting documentation. If the regional director approves the waiver, the regional director will establish an alternative limit on aggregate investments in fixed assets, either as a dollar limit or as a percentage of the credit union's shares and retained earnings. Unless otherwise specified by the regional director, the credit union may make future acquisition of fixed assets only if the aggregate all of such future investments in fixed assets does not exceed an additional one percent of the shares and retained earnings of the credit union over the amount approved by the regional director.
(iv)
If the regional director does not notify the credit union of the action taken on its request within 45 calendar days of the receipt of the waiver request or the receipt of additional requested supporting information, whichever occurs later, the credit union may proceed with its proposed investment in fixed assets. The investment, and any future investments in fixed assets, must not cause the credit union to exceed the aggregate investment limit described in its waiver request.
(b) Premises Not Currently Used To Transact Credit Union Business.
(1)
When a Federal credit union acquires premises for future expansion and does not fully occupy the space within one year, the credit union must have a board resolution in place by the end of that year with definitive plans for full occupation. Premises are fully occupied when the credit union, or a combination of the credit union, CUSOs, or vendors, use the entire space on a full-time basis. CUSOs and vendors must be using the space primarily to support the credit union or to serve the credit union's members. The credit union must make any plans for full occupation available to an NCUA examiner upon request.
(2)
When a Federal credit union acquires premises for future expansion, the credit union must partially occupy the premises within a reasonable period, not to exceed three years. Premises are partially occupied when the credit union is using some part of the space on a full-time basis. The NCUA may waive this partial occupation requirement in writing upon written request. The request must be made within 30 months after the property is acquired.
(3)
A Federal credit union must make diligent efforts to dispose of abandoned premises and any other real property not intended for use in the conduct of credit union business. The credit union must seek fair market value for the property, and record its efforts to dispose of abandoned premises. After premises have been abandoned for four years, the credit union must publicly advertise the property for sale. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the NCUA, the credit union must complete the sale within five years of abandonment.
(c) Prohibited Transactions.
(1)
Without the prior written approval of the NCUA, no federal credit union may invest in premises through an acquisition or a lease of one year or longer from any of the following:
(i)
A director, member of the credit committee or supervisory committee, or senior management employee of the federal credit union, or immediate family member of any such individual.
(ii)
A corporation in which any director, member of the credit committee or supervisory committee, official, or senior management employee, or immediate family members of any such individual, is an officer or director, or has a stock interest of 10 percent or more.
(iii)
A partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which any director, member of the credit committee or supervisory committee, or senior management employee, or immediate family members of any such individual, is a general partner, or a limited partner or entity member with an interest of 10 percent or more.
(2)
The prohibition contained in paragraph (c)(1) of this section also applies to a lease from any other employee if the employee is directly involved in investments in fixed assets unless the board of directors determines that the employee's involvement does not present a conflict of interest.
(3)
All transactions with business associates or family members not specifically prohibited by this paragraph (c) must be conducted at arm's length and in the interest of the credit union.
(d) Regulatory Flexibility Program.
Federal credit unions that meet Regulatory Flexibility Program standards, as determined pursuant to part 742 of this chapter, are exempt from the three-year partial occupancy requirement described in paragraph (b) of this section when acquiring unimproved land for future expansion pursuant to the terms of section 742.4(a)(3) of this chapter. For a Federal credit union eligible for the Regulatory Flexibility Program that subsequently loses eligibility:
(1)
Section 742.3 of this chapter provides that NCUA may require the credit union to divest any existing fixed assets for substantive safety and soundness reasons; and
(2)
The credit union may not make any new investments in fixed assets if, after the investment, the credit union's total investments in fixed assets would exceed the five percent limitation described in paragraph (a) of this section. The regional director may waive this prohibition to allow for new investments.
(1)
Abandoned premises means real property previously used to transact credit union business but no longer used for that purpose and real property originally acquired for future expansion for which the credit union no longer contemplates such use.
(3)
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment means all office furnishings, office machines, computer hardware and software, automated terminals, and heating and cooling equipment.
(i)
Any investment in improved or unimproved real property which is being used or is intended to be used as premises;
(iii)
The aggregate of all capital and operating lease payments on fixed assets, without discounting commitments for future payments to present value; and
(6)
Premises means any office, branch office, suboffice, service center, parking lot, other facility, or real estate where the credit union transacts or will transact business.
(7)
Senior management employee means the credit union's chief executive officer (typically this individual holds the title of President or Treasurer/Manager), any assistant chief executive officers (e.g., Assistant President, Vice President or Assistant Treasurer/Manager) and the chief financial officer (Comptroller).
(9)
Retained earnings means undivided earnings, regular reserve, reserve for contingencies, supplemental reserves, reserve for losses, and other appropriations from undivided earnings as designated by management or the Administration.