[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 107 (Friday, June 5, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26989-26994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13117]


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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

12 CFR Part 1230

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight

12 CFR Part 1770

RIN 2590-AA12


Executive Compensation

Agencies: Federal Housing Finance Agency; Office of Federal Housing 
Enterprise Oversight.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is proposing to 
issue an Executive Compensation regulation. The proposed regulation 
sets forth requirements and processes with respect to compensation 
provided to executive officers by the Federal National Mortgage 
Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal 
Home Loan Banks, and the Office of Finance, consistent with the safety 
and soundness responsibilities of FHFA under the Federal Housing 
Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended by 
the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

DATES: Comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking must be received 
on or before August 4, 2009. For additional information, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments on the proposed regulation, 
identified by regulatory identifier number (RIN) 2590-AA12 by any of 
the following methods:
    <bullet> U.S. Mail, United Parcel Post, Federal Express, or Other 
Mail Service: The mailing address for comments is: Alfred M. Pollard, 
General Counsel, Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA12, Federal Housing 
Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.
    <bullet> Hand Delivered/Courier: The hand delivery address is: 
Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel, Attention: Comments/RIN 2590-AA12, 
Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20552. The package should be logged at the Guard Desk, 
First Floor, on business days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
    <bullet> E-mail: Comments to Alfred M. Pollard, General Counsel, 
may be sent by e-mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6a49391b5999b9b93988285b6b0beb0b7d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c496a1a387aba9a9a1aab0b784828c8285eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include ``RIN 
2590-AA12'' in the subject line of the message.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. If you submit your 
comment to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please also send it by e-
mail to FHFA at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7e5d2d0f4d8dadad2d9c3c4f7d1dfd1d699d0d8c1">[email protected]</a> to ensure timely receipt by the 
agency. Include the following information in the subject line of your 
submission: Executive Compensation Proposed Rule, RIN 2590-AA12.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel E. Coates, Associate Director 
Risk Analysis and Research, Office of Federal Home Loan Bank 
Regulation, (202) 408-2959, Patrick Lawler, Associate Director, Office 
of Policy Analysis and Research, Chief Economist, (202) 414-3746, or 
Tina Dion, Associate General Counsel, (202) 414-3838 (not toll free 
numbers), Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20552. The telephone number for the 
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf is (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Comments

    FHFA invites comments on all aspects of the proposed regulation and 
will take all comments into consideration before issuing the final 
regulation. Copies of all comments will be posted without change, 
including any personal information you provide, such as your name and 
address, on the FHFA Internet Web site at http://www.fhfa.gov.
    In addition, copies of all comments received will be available for 
examination by the public on business days between the hours of 10 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552. To make an appointment to inspect 
comments, please call the Office of General Counsel at (202) 414-3751.

II. Background

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) was created on July 30, 
2008, when the President signed into law the Housing and Economic 
Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).\1\ HERA created a regulator with all of 
the authorities necessary to oversee vital components of our country's 
secondary mortgage markets--the Federal National Mortgage Association 
(Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), 
and the Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks). In addition, this law combined 
the staffs of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight 
(OFHEO), the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB), and the GSE mission 
office at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). By 
pooling the expertise of the staffs of OFHEO, FHFB, and HUD, Congress 
strengthened the regulatory and supervisory oversight of the 14 
housing-related Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). Such 
regulation of the GSEs will promote a stronger, safer U.S. housing 
finance system.
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    \1\ Public Law 110-289, 122 Stat. 2654.
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    More specifically, HERA amended the Federal Housing Enterprises 
Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) 
(Safety and Soundness Act or Act) to establish FHFA as an independent 
agency of the Federal Government.\2\ FHFA was established to oversee 
the prudential operations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (collectively, 
Enterprises), and the Banks (collectively, regulated entities) and to 
ensure that they operate in a safe and sound manner including being 
capitalized adequately; foster liquid, efficient, competitive and 
resilient national housing finance markets; comply with the Act and 
rules, regulation, guidelines and orders issued under the Act, and the 
respective authorizing statutes of the regulated entities; and carry 
out their missions through activities authorized and consistent with 
the Act and their authorizing statutes; and that the activities and 
operations of the regulated entities are consistent with the public 
interest.
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    \2\ See Division A, titled the ``Federal Housing Finance 
Regulatory Reform Act of 2008,'' Title I, Section 1101 of HERA.

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[[Page 26990]]

    OFHEO and FHFB will be abolished one year after enactment of HERA. 
However, the regulated entities continue to operate under regulations 
promulgated by OFHEO and FHFB until such regulations are superseded by 
regulations promulgated by FHFA.

III. Proposed Regulation

    The proposed regulation, when published in its final form, would 
supersede the OFHEO Executive Compensation regulation, 12 CFR part 
1770. The proposed regulation is issued to effect sections 1113 and 
1117 of HERA. Section 1113 addresses the authority of the Director to 
prohibit and withhold compensation of executive officers of the 
regulated entities. Section 1117 provides the Director with temporary 
authority to approve, disapprove, or modify the executive compensation 
of the regulated entities.
    The proposed regulation also continues the Director's authority 
under the charter acts of the Enterprises to prior approve agreements 
or contracts of executive officers that provide compensation in 
connection with termination of employment. A similar prior approval 
authority for the Director of termination benefits of executive 
officers provided by the Banks is not set forth under the Federal Home 
Loan Bank Act or HERA. However, the total payment or value derived from 
termination benefits are included in the FHFA's review of compensation 
provided by the Banks to their executive officers to determine whether 
the overall compensation is reasonable and comparable. This is because 
the term ``compensation'' is broadly defined to include benefits to an 
executive officer that are derived from post-employment benefit plans 
or programs and other compensatory benefit arrangements containing 
termination benefits, which affect the executive officer individually 
or as part of a group. As a result, FHFA reviews the value of benefits 
provided under such plans, programs and arrangements on an ongoing 
basis in exercising its review authority. FHFA aggregates the benefits 
provided under such plans, programs and arrangement with all other 
payments of money or any other thing of current or potential value to 
determine whether an officer's overall ``compensation'' is reasonable 
and comparable.
    Additionally, the proposed regulation is issued to ensure that the 
regulated entities and the Office of Finance comply with processes used 
by FHFA in its oversight of executive compensation. The processes 
require the submission of relevant information by the regulated 
entities and the Office of Finance on a timely basis, in a format 
deemed appropriate by FHFA, to enable FHFA to efficiently carry out its 
executive compensation functions. For reasons noted above, as with the 
Enterprises, information required to be submitted to FHFA for its 
review and consideration by the Banks includes information relating to 
termination benefits for their executive officers. Additionally, 
although the Office of Finance is not directly covered by section 1113 
of HERA, it is subject to the Director's ``general regulatory 
authority'' under section 1311(b)(2) of the Safety and Soundness Act 
(12 U.S.C. 4511(b)(2)), as amended by HERA. Therefore, in order to 
ensure safety and soundness, and to comply with the Director's 
authority relating to golden parachutes and indemnification payments 
(noted below), information submission requirements under the proposed 
regulation also apply to the Office of Finance, as does the Director's 
authority to prohibit excessive compensation.
    Notably, in addition to the Director's authority under section 1113 
of HERA to prohibit and withhold compensation of executive officers of 
the regulated entities (as effected in the proposed regulation), 
section 1114 of HERA provides the Director with additional authority to 
address golden parachutes and indemnification payments by the 
Enterprises and the Banks to entity-affiliated parties. FHFA has issued 
an interim final rule that clarifies the standards it will employ in 
exercising its authority regarding golden parachute payments.\3\ FHFA 
also has issued a final rule on golden parachute payments that sets 
forth factors to be considered by the Director of FHFA in acting upon 
the Director's authority to limit golden parachute payments to entity-
affiliated parties in connection with the regulated entities.\4\
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    \3\ See Golden Parachute Payments and Indemnification Payments--
Interim Final Regulation with Request for Comments, 73 FR 53356 
(September 16, 2008), with Correcting Amendments at 73 FR 54309 
(September 19, 2008) and 73 FR 54673 (September 23, 2008), codified 
at 12 CFR 1231. See also, Proposed Amendment for Golden Parachute 
and Indemnification Payments, 73 FR 67424 (November 14, 2008).
    \4\ See Golden Parachute Payments, 74 FR 5101 (January 29, 
2009), to be codified at 12 CFR 1231.
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    Section 1313(f) of the Act (12 U.S.C. 4513(f)), as amended by 
section 1201 of HERA, requires the Director, when promulgating 
regulations relating to the Banks, to consider the differences between 
the Banks and the Enterprises with respect to the Banks' cooperative 
ownership structure; mission of providing liquidity to members; 
affordable housing and community development mission; capital 
structure; and joint and several liability. The Director may also 
consider any other differences that are deemed appropriate. In 
preparing the proposed rule, the Director considered the differences 
between the Banks and the Enterprises as they relate to the above 
factors.
    The Director recognizes that there are differences between the 
Enterprises and the Banks in size, complexity, and function. Therefore, 
the approach by FHFA to oversight of executive compensation may differ 
in certain aspects between the Enterprises and the Banks. For example, 
in order to take into account the Banks' size and structure, FHFA may 
consider the Federal Reserve Banks and the Farm Credit Banks as 
examples of appropriate comparators to assess the reasonableness and 
comparability of executive compensation provided by the Banks. Also, in 
consideration of the Banks' size and structure, the Director's 
oversight of compensation may cover a smaller number of positions in 
comparison to covered executive officer positions for the Enterprises. 
To accommodate any differences in aspects of executive compensation 
between the Enterprises and the Banks, FHFA will address such 
differences through an establishment of policies for appropriate 
compensation packages and termination benefits, and will provide 
routine guidance to the regulated entities. Except to the extent that 
the proposed rule distinguishes between the Enterprises and the Banks, 
the Director believes that the differences related to the factors set 
forth in 12 U.S.C. 4513(f) do not result in the need for substantively 
dissimilar coverage under the proposed regulation as both the 
Enterprises and the Banks, as ``regulated entities,'' are subject to 
the same statutory requirements with respect to oversight of their 
executive compensation by the Director. However, the Director requests 
comments from the public about whether differences related to these 
factors should result in a revision to the proposed regulation as they 
relate to the Banks.

IV. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 1230.1 Purpose

    Proposed Sec.  1230.1 provides that the purpose of the regulation 
is to implement requirements relating to the supervisory authority of 
FHFA under the Act with respect to compensation provided by the 
regulated entities and the Office of Finance to their executive 
officers. Additionally, the regulation would codify the structured 
process established by the Director for submission of relevant 
information by

[[Page 26991]]

the regulated entities, and the Office of Finance, in order to 
facilitate and enhance the efficiency of oversight of executive 
compensation by FHFA.

Section 1230.2 Definitions

    Proposed Sec.  1230.2 would define certain terms as used in the 
regulation.

Section 1230.3 Prohibition and Withholding of Executive Compensation

    Proposed Sec.  1230.3 addresses the Director's authority to 
prohibit and withhold compensation provided by a regulated entity and 
the Office of Finance to an executive officer that is not reasonable 
and comparable; the prohibition of a regulated entity and the Office of 
Finance from providing compensation to an executive officer that is not 
reasonable and comparable; the type of factors that the Director may 
take into consideration in determining whether compensation to an 
executive officer is reasonable and comparable; certain prohibitions 
applicable to and during the Director's review of compensation; the 
effect of prior approval of an agreement or contract pursuant to Sec.  
1230.4 with respect to any subsequent determination under the 
Director's authority to prohibit and withhold executive compensation; 
and the form and manner in which the Director shall provide approval 
pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    Paragraph (e)(2) of this section limits the requirement for 
Director's prior approval set forth in paragraph (e)(1) by specifying 
the types and circumstances of compensation subject to the requirement. 
Paragraph (e)(2)(i) states that approval is necessary for certain 
written arrangements: (a) A written arrangement that provides an 
executive officer a term of employment of six months or more; or (b) a 
written arrangement that provides compensation in connection with the 
termination of employment; or establishes a policy of compensation in 
connection with the termination of employment. It is noted that if the 
Director has approved a corporate-wide or ``Top Hat'' policy for a Bank 
or the Office of Finance that provides termination benefits to its 
executive officers, any individual written arrangement that does not 
exceed termination benefits provided under such a policy would not 
require prior approval of the Director.
    Paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of Sec.  1230.3 requires the prior approval of 
annual compensation, bonuses, and other incentive pay provided by a 
Bank to the president or by an Enterprise to the chief executive 
officer. Finally, paragraph (e)(2)(iii) states that prior approval 
would be required in the event that the Director provides the regulated 
entity or the Office of Finance with written notice of a specific 
review of compensation to be provided to an executive officer.

Section 1230.4 Prior Approval of Termination Benefits

    Proposed Sec.  1230.4 provides the general requirement that an 
Enterprise must obtain the prior approval of the Director with respect 
to agreements or contracts that provide termination benefits to an 
executive officer. The proposed section also clarifies the agreements 
or contracts subject to the prior approval requirement, as well as 
factors that the Director may consider in determining whether to 
approve or disapprove the termination benefits. Additionally, the 
section provides an exception to the prior approval requirement.

Section 1230.5 Submission Requirements

    Proposed Sec.  1230.5 describes the information, i.e., the types of 
materials and timeframe for submission, that the regulated entities, as 
well as the Office of Finance, would be required to provide to FHFA in 
order to facilitate the exercise of the Director's oversight of 
executive compensation under the Act. The section provides that the 
information shall be submitted in a format, i.e., hardcopy or 
electronic, as deemed appropriate by FHFA.

Section 1230.6 Temporary Power in Connection With Executive 
Compensation

    Proposed Sec.  1230.6 provides that, notwithstanding any provision 
of this part, effective July 30, 2008, through December 31, 2009, the 
Director may approve, disapprove, or modify the executive compensation 
of a regulated entity. For purposes of the proposed section, the term 
``executive compensation'' has the same meaning as defined under 
Regulation S-K, 17 CFR part 229. This section implements the authority 
granted the Director by section 1117 of HERA.

Section 1230.7 Compliance

    Proposed Sec.  1230.7 provides that failure by a regulated entity 
or the Office of Finance to comply with the requirements of this part 
may result in supervisory action by FHFA. Such action may be taken in 
the form determined appropriate by the Director and may be taken 
separately from, in conjunction with, or in addition to any other 
corrective or remedial action, including an enforcement action to 
require an individual to make restitution to or reimbursement of 
excessive compensation or inappropriately paid termination benefits.

Regulatory Impacts

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed regulation does not contain any information collection 
requirement that requires the approval of OMB under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires that 
a regulation that has a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities, small businesses, or small organizations must 
include an initial regulatory flexibility analysis describing the 
regulation's impact on small entities. Such an analysis need not be 
undertaken if the agency has certified that the regulation will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. 5 U.S.C. 605(b). FHFA has considered the impact of the 
proposed regulation under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. FHFA 
certifies that the proposed regulation, if adopted, is not likely to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
business entities because the regulation is applicable only to the 
regulated entities, which are not small entities for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects

12 CFR Part 1230

    Administrative practice and procedure, Compensation, Confidential 
business information, Government-sponsored enterprises, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

12 CFR Part 1770

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Authority and Issuance

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, under the 
authority of 12 U.S.C. 4526, the Federal Housing Finance Agency 
proposes to amend Chapters XII and XVII of Title 12 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, as follows:

[[Page 26992]]

CHAPTER XII--FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

SUBCHAPTER B--ENTITY REGULATIONS

    1. Add part 1230 to Subchapter B to read as follows:

PART 1230--EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Sec.
1230.1 Purpose.
1230.2 Definitions.
1230.3 Prohibition and withholding of executive compensation.
1230.4 Prior approval of termination benefits.
1230.5 Submission requirements.
1230.6 Temporary power in connection with executive compensation.
1230.7 Compliance.

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1427, 1431(l)(5), 1452(h), 1455(l)(5), 
4502(6), 4502(12), 4513, 4514, 4517, 4518, 4526, 4631, 4632, 4636, 
1719(g)(5), 1723a(d).


Sec.  1230.1   Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to implement requirements relating to 
the supervisory authority of FHFA under the Safety and Soundness Act 
with respect to compensation provided by the regulated entities and the 
Office of Finance to their executive officers. This part also codifies 
the structured process established by the Director for submission of 
relevant information by the regulated entities, and the Office of 
Finance, in order to facilitate and enhance the efficiency of the 
FHFA's oversight of executive compensation.


Sec.  1230.2   Definitions.

    The following definitions apply to the terms used in this part:
    Charter acts mean the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter 
Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act, which are 
codified at 12 U.S.C. 1716 through 1723i and 12 U.S.C. 1451 through 
1459, respectively.
    Compensation means any payment of money or the provision of any 
other thing of current or potential value in connection with 
employment. Compensation includes all direct and indirect payments of 
benefits, both cash and non-cash, granted to or for the benefit of any 
executive officer, including, but not limited to, payments and benefits 
derived from an employment contract, compensation or benefit agreement, 
fee arrangement, perquisite, stock option plan, post-employment benefit 
or other compensatory arrangement.
    Director means the Director of FHFA, or his or her designee.
    Enterprise means the Federal National Mortgage Association and the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (collectively, Enterprises) and, 
except as provided by the Director, any affiliate thereof.
    Entity-affiliated party means--
    (1) Any director, officer, employee, or controlling stockholder of, 
or agent for, a regulated entity;
    (2) Any shareholder, affiliate, consultant, or joint venture 
partner of a regulated entity, and any other person, as determined by 
the Director (by regulation or on a case-by-case basis) that 
participates in the conduct of the affairs of a regulated entity, 
provided that a member of a Bank shall not be deemed to have 
participated in the affairs of that Bank solely by virtue of being a 
shareholder of, and obtaining advances from, that Bank;
    (3) Any independent contractor for a regulated entity (including 
any attorney, appraiser, or accountant), if--
    (i) The independent contractor knowingly or recklessly participates 
in--
    (A) Any violation of any law or regulation;
    (B) Any breach of fiduciary duty; or
    (C) Any unsafe or unsound practice; and
    (ii) Such violation, breach, or practice caused, or is likely to 
cause, more than a minimal financial loss to, or a significant adverse 
effect on, the regulated entity;
    (4) Any not-for-profit corporation that receives its principal 
funding, on an ongoing basis, from any regulated entity; and
    (5) The Office of Finance.
    Executive officer means--
    (1) With respect to an Enterprise:
    (i) The chairman of the board of directors, chief executive 
officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, president, 
vice chairman, any executive vice president, and any individual who 
performs functions similar to such positions whether or not the 
individual has an official title; and
    (ii) Any senior vice president (SVP) or other individual with 
similar responsibilities, without regard to title:
    (A) Who is in charge of a principal business unit, division or 
function, or
    (B) Who reports directly to the regulated entity's chairman of the 
board of directors, vice chairman, president or chief operating 
officer.
    (2) The Director shall inform the Enterprises of those officers 
covered by this definition.
    (3) With respect to a Bank:
    (i) Executive officers about whom the Banks must publicly disclose 
detailed compensation information under Regulation S-K, 17 CFR part 
229, issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission;
    (ii) Any other executive who occupies one of the following 
positions or is in charge of one of the following subject areas:
    (A) Overall Bank operations, such as the Chief Operating Officer or 
equivalent;
    (B) Chief Financial Officer or equivalent;
    (C) Chief Administrative Officer or equivalent;
    (D) Chief Risk Officer or equivalent;
    (E) Asset and Liability Management, or equivalent;
    (F) Chief Accounting Officer or equivalent;
    (G) General Counsel or equivalent;
    (H) Strategic Planning or equivalent;
    (I) Internal Audit or equivalent;
    (J) Chief Information Officer or equivalent; or
    (iii) Any other individual, without regard to title:
    (A) Who is in charge of a principal business unit, division or 
function, or
    (B) Who reports directly to the Bank's chairman of the board of 
directors, vice chairman, president or chief operating officer.
    (4) The Director may add or remove persons, positions, or functions 
to or from the list set forth in paragraph (3)(ii) of this definition 
by communication to the Banks or a Bank from time to time.
    (5) With respect to the Office of Finance:
    (i) Any individual who occupies a position in any of the top five 
pay bands; or
    (ii) Any individual, without regard to title, who is in charge of a 
principal business unit, division, or function.
    Federal Home Loan Bank or Bank means a bank established under the 
Federal Home Loan Bank Act; the term ``Federal Home Loan Banks'' or 
``Banks'' means, collectively, all the Federal Home Loan Banks.
    FHFA means the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
    Office of Finance means the Office of Finance of the Federal Home 
Loan Bank System (or any successor thereto).
    Reasonable and comparable means compensation that is--
    (1) Reasonable--compensation, taken in whole or in part, that would 
be customary and appropriate for the position and based on a review of 
relevant factors including, but not limited to:
    (i) Unique duties and responsibilities of the position as 
contrasted with comparable positions at other firms;
    (ii) Absence of duties and responsibilities of the position as 
contrasted with comparable positions at other firms;
    (iii) Compensating factors that indicate added or diminished risks,

[[Page 26993]]

constraints, or aids in carrying out the responsibilities of the 
position relative to comparable positions at other firms as well as 
within the entity; and
    (iv) Performance of the regulated entity or the specific employee 
with respect to achievement of goals and compliance with applicable 
law, regulation, guidance, and internal rules of the entity.
    (2) Comparable--compensation that, taken in total or in part, does 
not materially exceed benefits paid at similar institutions for similar 
duties and responsibilities. In particular, comparable includes 
consideration of benefit levels and comparability of duties and 
responsibilities.
    (i) Benefit levels--FHFA generally considers comparable to be at or 
below the median compensation for a given position at similar 
institutions. In particular circumstances, consideration, as described 
in paragraph (1) of this definition, may indicate the appropriateness 
of higher or lower benefit amounts to which FHFA would not object.
    (ii) Similar institutions--FHFA considers similar institutions for 
the Banks and Enterprises to be institutions that are similar in size, 
complexity and function, and may communicate such institutions or types 
of institutions to the Banks and Enterprises from time to time.
    Regulated entity means the Federal National Mortgage Association 
and any affiliate thereof; the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 
and any affiliate thereof; or any Federal Home Loan Bank; the term 
``regulated entities'' means, collectively, the Federal National 
Mortgage Association and any affiliate thereof; the Federal Home Loan 
Mortgage Corporation and any affiliate thereof; and any Federal Home 
Loan Bank.
    Safety and Soundness Act or Act means the Federal Housing 
Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, (12 U.S.C. 4501 
et seq.), as amended by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 
(HERA), Public Law No. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2654 (2008).


Sec.  1230.3   Prohibition and withholding of executive compensation.

    (a) In general. The Director may review the compensation 
arrangements for any executive officer of a regulated entity or the 
Office of Finance at any time, and shall prohibit the regulated entity 
or the Office of Finance from providing compensation to any such 
executive officer that the Director determines is not reasonable and 
comparable with compensation for employment in other similar businesses 
(including other publicly held financial institutions or major 
financial services companies) involving similar duties and 
responsibilities. No regulated entity or the Office of Finance shall 
pay compensation to an executive officer that is not reasonable and 
comparable with compensation paid by such similar businesses involving 
similar duties and responsibilities.
    (b) Factors to be taken into account. In determining whether 
compensation provided by a regulated entity or the Office of Finance to 
an executive officer is not reasonable and comparable, the Director may 
take into consideration any factors the Director considers relevant, 
including any wrongdoing on the part of the executive officer, such as 
any fraudulent act or omission, breach of trust or fiduciary duty, 
violation of law, rule, regulation, order, or written agreement, and 
insider abuse with respect to the regulated entity or the Office of 
Finance.
    (c) Withholding of compensation. During a review under paragraph 
(a) of this section, the Director may require a regulated entity or the 
Office of Finance to withhold any payment, transfer, or disbursement of 
compensation to an executive officer, or to place such compensation in 
an escrow account.
    (d) Prohibition of setting compensation by Director. In carrying 
out paragraph (a) of this section, the Director may not prescribe or 
set a specific level or range of compensation.
    (e) Prohibition of payment or agreement by regulated entity. (1) 
Subject to paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a regulated entity or the 
Office of Finance shall not transfer, disburse, or pay compensation to 
any executive officer, or enter into an agreement with such executive 
officer, without the approval of the Director, for matters being 
reviewed by the Director under Sec.  1230.3.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the 
requirement for the Director's prior approval applies only to:
    (i) Any written arrangement that:
    (A) Provides an executive officer a term of employment for a term 
of six months or more; or
    (B) Provides compensation in connection with the termination of 
employment, or establishes a policy of compensation in connection with 
the termination of employment.
    (ii) Annual compensation, bonuses, and other incentive pay provided 
by a Bank to the president or by an Enterprise to the chief executive 
officer; or
    (iii) Any compensation to be provided to an executive officer for 
whom the Director has provided the regulated entity or the Office of 
Finance with written notice that the compensation is subject to a 
specific review by the Director.
    (f) Effect of prior approval of an agreement or contract. The 
Director's approval of an executive officer's termination of employment 
benefits pursuant to Sec.  1230.4 shall not preclude the Director from 
making any subsequent determination under this section to prohibit and 
withhold executive compensation.
    (g) Form of approval. The Director's approval pursuant to paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section may occur in such form and manner as the 
Director shall provide through written notice to the regulated entities 
or the Office of Finance.


Sec.  1230.4  Prior approval of termination benefits.

    (a) In general. An Enterprise may not enter into any agreement or 
contract to provide any payment of money or other thing of current or 
potential value in connection with the termination of employment of an 
executive officer unless the agreement or contract is approved in 
advance by the Director.
    (b) Covered agreements or contracts. An agreement or contract that 
provides for termination payments to an executive officer of an 
Enterprise that was entered into before October 28, 1992, is not 
retroactively subject to approval or disapproval by the Director. 
However, any renegotiation, amendment, or change to such an agreement 
or contract entered into on or before October 28, 1992, shall be 
considered as entering into an agreement or contract that is subject to 
approval by the Director.
    (c) Factors to be taken into account. In making the determination 
whether to approve or disapprove termination benefits, the Director may 
consider--
    (1) Whether the benefits provided under the agreement or contract 
are comparable to benefits provided under such agreements or contracts 
for officers of other public or private entities involved in financial 
services and housing interests who have comparable duties and 
responsibilities;
    (2) The factors set forth in Sec.  1230.3(b); and
    (3) Such other information as deemed appropriate by the Director.
    (d) Exception to prior approval. An employment agreement or 
contract subject to prior approval of the Director under this section 
may be entered into prior to that approval, provided that such 
agreement or contract specifically provides notice that termination 
benefits under the agreement or contract

[[Page 26994]]

shall not be effective and no payments shall be made under such 
agreement or contract unless and until approved by the Director. Such 
notice should make clear that alteration of benefit plans subsequent to 
FHFA approval under this section, which affect final termination 
benefits of an executive officer, requires review at the time of the 
individual's termination from the Enterprise and prior to the payment 
of any benefits.


Sec.  1230.5  Submission requirements.

    (a) In general. Any information required to be submitted for 
purposes of obtaining approval of the Director under this part must be 
provided in a timely fashion by each regulated entity and the Office of 
Finance to the Director or as otherwise specified in guidance or other 
issuances of FHFA.
    (b) Information relating to prohibition and withholding of 
executive compensation. The following materials, unless otherwise 
specified, shall be provided by each regulated entity and the Office of 
Finance to FHFA, in a format deemed appropriate by FHFA, for review 
within one week after the specified action or event--
    (1) Resolutions, with no redactions, including supporting materials 
and related reports, from meetings of the board committee responsible 
for compensation when the committee takes any action regarding a 
compensation matter that under the committee's authority is effective 
without further action by the committee or the board of directors of 
the regulated entity;
    (2) Resolutions, with no redactions, including supporting materials 
and related reports, not otherwise provided to FHFA under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, from meetings of the board of directors 
relating to executive compensation when the board of directors takes 
any action regarding a compensation matter that is effective without 
any further action by the board of directors;
    (3) Minutes, with no redactions, including supporting materials and 
related reports, when adopted by the committee responsible for 
compensation and those portions of minutes of the board of directors, 
including supporting materials and related reports, related to 
compensation matters, except for materials previously provided under 
paragraphs (b)(1) or (2) of this section;
    (4) General benefit plans applicable to executive officers when 
adopted or amended;
    (5) Any study conducted by or on behalf of a regulated entity or 
the Office of Finance with respect to compensation of executive 
officers, when delivered;
    (6) With respect to an Enterprise, the annual compensation report 
to Congress when submitted to Congress;
    (7) A current organizational chart when changes occur affecting the 
status of executive officers under this part;
    (8) Proxy statements when issued; and
    (9) Such other information as deemed appropriate by the Director.
    (c) Timing of submissions related to prior approval of termination 
benefits. An Enterprise shall provide all relevant information to FHFA, 
unless already provided under paragraph (b) of this section:
    (1) Except as provided in Sec.  1230.4(d), before an Enterprise 
enters into any agreement or contract with a new or existing executive 
officer that includes termination benefits;
    (2) Before an Enterprise makes any extension or other amendment to 
such an agreement or contract;
    (3) Before an Enterprise takes any other action to provide 
termination benefits to a specific executive officer, regardless of how 
effected; or
    (4) When an Enterprise makes any changes to the termination 
provisions of any compensation or benefit program affecting multiple 
executive officers.
    (d) Specific information required for calculation of termination 
benefits. For submissions relating to termination benefits, a regulated 
entity and the Office of Finance shall submit to FHFA, in a format 
deemed appropriate by FHFA, the following materials:
    (1) The details of the agreement or program change, e.g., 
employment agreements, termination agreements, severance agreements, 
and portions of minutes of the board of directors relating to executive 
compensation and minutes and supporting materials of the committee of 
the board of directors responsible for compensation;
    (2) All information, data, assumptions and calculations for the 
potential total dollar value or range of values of the benefits 
provided, such as, but not limited to salary, bonus opportunity, short-
term incentives, long-term incentives, special incentives and pension 
provisions or related contract or benefit terms; and
    (3) Such other information deemed appropriate by the Director, 
except that information required to be submitted under paragraph (c) of 
this section or under this paragraph shall not include information on 
benefit plans of general applicability.


Sec.  1230.6  Temporary power in connection with executive 
compensation.

    Notwithstanding any provision of this part, effective July 30, 
2008, through December 31, 2009, the Director may approve, disapprove, 
or modify the executive compensation of a regulated entity. For 
purposes of this section, the term ``executive compensation'' has the 
same meaning as defined under Regulation S-K, 17 CFR part 229.


Sec.  1230.7  Compliance.

    Failure by a regulated entity or the Office of Finance to comply 
with the requirements of this part may result in supervisory action by 
FHFA. Such action may be taken in the form determined appropriate by 
the Director and may be taken separately from, in conjunction with, or 
in addition to any other corrective or remedial action, including an 
enforcement action to require an individual to make restitution to or 
reimbursement of excessive compensation or inappropriately paid 
termination benefits.

CHAPTER XVII--OFFICE OF FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE OVERSIGHT, 
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

PART 1770--[REMOVED]

    2. Remove part 1770.

    May 29, 2009.
James B. Lockhart III,
Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
[FR Doc. E9-13117 Filed 6-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P


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