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More resources for national banks

Investment Securities

The links in this section primarily cover money market investments and securities purchased by banks for their own accounts. Money market generally refers to the markets for short-term credit instruments, such as commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, and federal funds.

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Investment Securities (Comptroller's Handbook Section 203, 1990)

References
AL=Advisory Letter
BC=Banking Circular
OCC=Bulletin

Risk Management and Lessons Learned (OCC 2009-15, May 2009)
Highlights lessons learned from the current market disruption and reemphasizes key principles discussed in previous guidance.

Tax Lien Certificates (OCC 2004-39, August 2004)
Covers the risk management practices the OCC expects banks to exercise when purchasing tax lien certificates.

Classification of Securities (OCC 2004-25, June 2004)
Provides an overview of the Uniform Agreement on the Classification of Assets and Appraisal of Securities Held by Banks and Thrifts which includes the OCC, FDIC, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Investment Portfolio Credit Risks: Safekeeping Arrangements (OCC 2002-39, September 2002)
Covers potentially significant credits risks banks incur when safekeeping investment portfolio assets with third parties.

Unsafe and Unsound Investment Practices (OCC 2002-19, May 2002)
Covers potential risk to future earnings and capital from poor investment decisions made when interest rates are low.

Risk-Based Capital: Nonfinancial Equity Investments (OCC 2002-5, January 2002)
Covers the final rule on the regulatory capital treatment of nonfinancial equity investments published in the Federal Register, January 25, 2002.

Investment Securities (OCC 1998-20, April 1998)
Provides an overview of the Supervisory Policy Statement on Investment Securities and End-User Derivatives Activities (Federal Register Vol. 63, No 78, 1998), which covers FFIEC guidance for managing the risks of investment activities. The second link takes you to the Federal Register Web site.

Repurchase Agreements (OCC 1998-6, February 1998)
Provides an overview of Repurchase Agreements of Depository Institution with Securities Dealers and Others (Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 28, 1998), with covers FFIEC's guidance to insured depository institutions for entering into repurchase agreements in a safe and sound manner. The second link takes you to the Federal Register Web site.

Community Development Securities (AL 1997-2, February 1997)
Covers the standards and treatment of Community Development Securities under 12 CFR 1 and 12 CFR 25.

Investments in Investment Companies Composed Wholly of Bank Eligible Investment (BC 220, November 1986)
Advises national banks of their authority to purchase investment company shares and of the specialized reporting and accounting considerations.

Securities Denominated in Foreign Currencies (BC 216, September 1986)
Covers OCC policies concerning ownership of securities not denominated in U.S. dollars.

Securities Lending (BC 196, May 1985)
Covers the uniform policy for supervising national banks that lend securities.

Interagency Policy on Banks/Thrifts Providing Financial Support to Funds Advised by the Banking Organization or Its Affiliates (OCC 2004-2, January 2004)
Covers issues and risks related to banks providing financial support to investment funds.


Related News and Issuances
Publish DateIdentifierTitle
05/22/2009  OCC 2009-15, Investment Securities: Risk Management and Lessons Learned
10/06/2005  OCC 2005-34, Electronic Filing and Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership Reports: Final Rule
08/31/2004  OCC 2004-39, Tax Lien Certificates: Risk Management Expectations