meta_id 3484222

On September 10, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published an interagency interim final rule amending regulations governing eligibility for extended examination cycles. The rule implements provisions of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and section 7(c)(1)(C) of the International Banking Act of 1978, expanding access to 18-month on-site examination cycles for qualifying banks. Previously, only 1- and 2-rated national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies with less than $3 billion in total assets qualified for the extended 18-month examination cycle. The interim final rule raises this threshold to $6 billion in total assets, significantly broadening eligibility. To qualify for the 18-month cycle, banks must meet several criteria: maintain a 1- or 2-rating, be well capitalised, not be subject to a formal enforcement proceeding or order from a federal banking agency, and not have experienced a change of control within the preceding 12 months. National banks and federal savings associations must additionally maintain a management rating of 1 or 2. The OCC amended 12 CFR 4 to reflect these changes. The rule applies to all community banks and other qualifying institutions. Importantly, the OCC retains discretionary authority to maintain a 12-month examination schedule or adopt a more frequent schedule for any bank if deemed necessary. This expansion aims to reduce examination burden on well-performing smaller institutions while maintaining the OCC's supervisory flexibility. For further information, interested parties may contact Kimberly Folk Pratt, Acting Assistant Director; Daniel Amodeo, Counsel; or Will Binkley, Counsel, at the OCC's Chief Counsel's Office, (202) 649-5490.