To codify the Minority Bank Deposit Program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-3741
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5]
Introduced: 2017-09-12
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Bank accounts, deposits, capital

Banking and financial institutions regulation

Credit and credit markets

Department of the Treasury

Economic development

Minority and disadvantaged businesses

Women in business
Latest action: action_date: 2017-09-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-09-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill provides statutory authority for&nbsp;the Minority Bank Deposit Program (which&nbsp;encourages the use of&nbsp;minority-owned banks, women-owned banks, and credit unions&nbsp;that serve&nbsp;low-income communities).</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3741 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 12, 2017 Mr. Meeks (for himself, Mr. Evans , Mrs. Beatty , Ms. Maxine Waters of California , Mr. Clay , Mr. Al Green of Texas , Ms. Sewell of Alabama , Ms. Jackson Lee , Mr. Lawson of Florida , and Mr. Payne ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To codify the Minority Bank Deposit Program, and for other purposes.

1. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On March 5, 1969, pursuant to Executive Order 11458, the Minority Bank Deposit Program was established as a national program supporting minority-owned business enterprise. It was expanded in 1971 under Executive Order 11625 and in 1979 under Executive Order 12138. The Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 ( Public Law 100–86 ) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ( Public Law 101–73 ) include provisions supporting the intent of the Minority Bank Deposit Program. (2) Under the leadership of President Jimmy Carter, on April 8, 1977, a memorandum for all heads of Federal agencies and departments was signed. This document promoted the use of minority-owned business enterprises by placing deposits in minority banks. The agency assigned to head this program was the Department of the Treasury. (3) The Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Treasury is responsible for certifying financial institutions that are eligible for participation in the Minority Bank Deposit Program. (4) Although the program continues today, the overwhelming majority of financial institutions certified under the Minority Bank Deposit Program do not have existing relationships with the Federal agencies which suggests the need for reforms to increase utilization of eligible institutions. 2. Minority Bank Deposit Program (a) In general Section 1204 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ( 12 U.S.C. 1811 note) is amended to read as follows: 1204. Expansion of use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions (a) Minority Bank Deposit Program (1) Establishment There is established a program to be known as the Minority Bank Deposit Program to expand the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions. (2) Administration The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Fiscal Service, shall— (A) on application by a depository institution or credit union, certify whether such depository institution or credit union is a minority bank, women’s bank, or low-income credit union; (B) maintain and publish a list of all depository institutions and credit unions that have been certified pursuant to subparagraph (A); and (C) periodically distribute the list described in subparagraph (B) to— (i) all Federal departments and agencies; (ii) interested State and local governments; and (iii) interested private sector companies. (3) Inclusion of certain entities on list A depository institution or credit union that, on the date of the enactment of this section, has a current certification from the Secretary of the Treasury stating that such depository institution or credit union is a minority bank, women’s bank, or low-income credit union shall be included on the list described under paragraph (2)(B). (b) Expanded Use Among Federal Departments and Agencies (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the program described in subsection (a), the head of each Federal department or agency shall develop and implement standards and procedures to ensure, to the maximum extent possible as permitted by law, the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions to serve the financial needs of each such department or agency. (2) Report to Congress Not later than 2 years after the establishment of the program described in subsection (a), and annually thereafter, the head of each Federal department or agency shall submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to increase the use of minority banks, women’s banks, and low-income credit unions to serve the financial needs of each such department or agency. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Credit union The term credit union has the meaning given the term insured credit union in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1752 ). (2) Depository institution The term depository institution has the meaning given the term insured depository institution in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1813 ). (3) Low-income credit union The term low-income credit union means any entity described in section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act. (4) Minority The term minority means any Black American, Native American, Hispanic American, or Asian American. (5) Minority bank The term minority bank means any bank described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act— (A) more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares of which are held by 1 or more minority individuals; (B) the majority of the directors on the board of directors of which are minority individuals; and (C) a significant percentage of senior management positions of which are held by minority individuals. (6) Women’s bank The term women’s bank means any bank described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act— (A) more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares of which are held by 1 or more women; (B) the majority of the directors on the board of directors of which are women; and (C) a significant percentage of senior management positions of which are held by women. . (b) Conforming Amendments The following provisions are amended by striking 1204(c)(3) and inserting 1204(c) : (1) Section 808(b)(3) of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 ( 12 U.S.C. 2907(b)(3) ). (2) Section 40(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1831q(g)(1)(B) ). (3) Section 704B(h)(4) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1691c–2(h)(4) ). 3. Amendments to the Community Reinvestment Act Section 804(b) of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 ( 12 U.S.C. 2903(b) ) is amended to read as follows: (b) Cooperation with Minority Banks, Women’s Banks, and Low-Income Credit Unions Considered (1) In general In assessing and taking into account, under subsection (a), the record of a financial institution, the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency shall consider as a factor capital investment, loan participation, and other ventures undertaken by the institution in cooperation with minority banks, women’s banks, community development financial institutions, and low-income credit unions provided that these activities help meet the credit needs of local communities in which such institutions and credit unions are chartered. (2) Definitions (A) FIRREA definitions The terms low-income credit union , minority bank , and women’s bank have the meanings given such terms, respectively, in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ( 12 U.S.C. 1811 note). (B) Community development financial institution The term community development financial institution has the meaning given in section 103(5) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 ( 12 U.S.C. 4702(5) ). . 4. Considerations when assessing financial inclusion for federally chartered financial institutions (a) In General In assessing and taking into account the record of a federally chartered financial institution under any financial inclusion assessment process created by the Comptroller of the Currency in any rule relating to the chartering of a financial institution, the Comptroller shall consider as a factor capital investment, loan participation, and other ventures undertaken by the bank in cooperation with minority banks, women’s banks, community development financial institutions, and low-income credit unions, provided that these activities help meet the financial needs of local communities in which the federally chartered financial institution provides financial products or services. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Community development financial institution The term community development financial institution has the meaning given in section 103(5) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 ( 12 U.S.C. 4702(5) ). (2) Financial inclusion assessment process The term financial inclusion assessment process means any process relating to the chartering of a financial institution whereby the Comptroller of the Currency assesses and takes into account the financial institution’s record of meeting the financial needs of the bank’s entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such bank. (3) Financial product or service The term financial product or service has the meaning given such term in section 1002 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5481 ). (4) FIRREA definitions The terms low-income credit union , minority bank , and women’s bank have the meanings given such terms, respectively, in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ( 12 U.S.C. 1811 note).