
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 12, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 12CFR3]

[Page 15]
 
                       TITLE 12--BANKS AND BANKING
 
   CHAPTER I--COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 3--MINIMUM CAPITAL RATIOS; ISSUANCE OF DIRECTIVES--Table of Contents
 
Subpart B--Minimum Capital Ratios

Sec. 3.5  Applicability.

    This subpart is applicable to all banks unless the Office 
determines, pursuant to the procedures set forth in subpart C, that 
different minimum capital ratios are appropriate for an individual bank 
based upon its particular circumstances, or unless different minimum 
capital ratios have been established or are established for an 
individual bank in a written agreement or a temporary or final order 
pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1818 (b) or (c), or as a condition for approval of 
an application.

Sec. 3.6  Minimum capital ratios.

    (a) Risk-based capital ratio. All national banks must have and 
maintain the minimum risk-based capital ratio as set forth in appendix A 
(and, for certain banks, in appendix B).
    (b) Total assets leverage ratio. All national banks must have and 
maintain Tier 1 capital in an amount equal to at least 3.0 percent of 
adjusted total assets.
    (c) Additional leverage ratio requirement. An institution operating 
at or near the level in paragraph (b) of this section should have well-
diversified risks, including no undue interest rate risk exposure; 
excellent control systems; good earnings; high asset quality; high 
liquidity; and well managed on-and off-balance sheet activities; and in 
general be considered a strong banking organization, rated composite 1 
under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS) rating 
system of banks. For all but the most highly-rated banks meeting the 
conditions set forth in this paragraph (c), the minimum Tier 1 leverage 
ratio is 4 percent. In all cases, banking institutions should hold 
capital commensurate with the level and nature of all risks.

[55 FR 38800, Sept. 21, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 47367, Sept. 6, 1996; 
64 FR 10199, Mar. 2, 1999]

Sec. 3.7  Plan to achieve minimum capital ratios.

    Effective December 31, 1990, any bank having capital ratios less 
than the minimums required under Sec. 3.6 (a) and (b) shall, within 60 
days, submit to the OCC a plan describing the means and schedule by 
which the bank shall achieve the applicable minimum capital ratios. The 
plan may be considered acceptable unless the bank is notified to the 
contrary by the OCC. A bank in compliance with an acceptable plan to 
achieve the applicable minimum capital ratios will not be deemed to be 
in violation of Sec. 3.6.

[55 FR 38800, Sept. 21, 1990]

Sec. 3.8  Reservation of authority.

    When, in the opinion of the Office the circumstances so require, a 
bank may be authorized to have less than the minimum capital ratios in 
Sec. 3.6 during a time period specified by the Office.
