View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
o f the
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

DISCOUNTS FOR AND ADVANCES TO MEMBER
BANKS BY FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS

REGULATION A

This regulation as printed herewith is in the form
as revised effective October 1, 1937

This publication was digitized and made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Historical Library (FedHistory@dal.frb.org)

INQUIRIES REGARDING THIS REGULATION
Any inquiry relating to this regulation should
be addressed to the Federal Reserve Bank of
the district in which the inquiry arises.

CONTENTS
Page
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................

1

Sec. 1. Discount oj Notes, Drajts and Bills jor M em ber Banks ...............................
(a) Commercial, agricultural and industrial paper....................................
(b) Bills of exchange payable at sight or on dem and.............................
(c) Construction loan s.............................................................................................
(d) Agricultural paper...............................................................................................
(e) Paper of cooperative marketing associations........................................
(f) Factors’ paper........................................................................................................
(g) Collateral securing discounted paper.........................................................
(h) Determination of eligibility...........................................................................
(i) L im ita tio n s............................................................................................................

1
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4

Sec. 2. Advances to Member Batiks......................................................................................
(a) Advances on eligible paper.............................................................................
(b) Advances on Government obligations.....................................................
(c) Advances on other security under section 10(b) of the Federal
Reserve A c t ........................................................................................................
(d) K inds of collateral which may be used as security for advances
under section 10(b) of the Federal Reserve A c t .............................

4
4
4

Sec. 3. General Requirements as to Discounts and Advances ...................................
(a) Applications for discounts or advances...................................................
(b) Financial statem ents..........................................................................................
(c) Speculative use of credit by a member ban k ..........................................
(d) Additional or marginal collateral............................................
(e) Credit extended on security of obligations of the United States

6
6
7
7
7
8

Sec. 4. Paper Acquired from Nonmember Banks .............................
(a) Prohibition upon acceptance of nonmember bank paper................
(b) Applications forpermission.............................................................................
(c) Paper acquired from Federal Intermediate Credit banks...............

S
8
8
8

Sec. 5. Discounts for Federal Intermediate Credit Banks..........................................
(a) Kinds and maturity of paper.......................................................................
(b) L im itation s............................................................................................................

9
9
9

Bankers’ Acceptances...................................................................................................

9
9
9
11
11
11

Sec. 6.

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

D efinition.................................................................................................................
E ligibility.................................................................................................................
M atu rities...............................................................................................................
Dollar exchange acceptances.........................................................................
Evidence of eligibility......................................................................................

A pp en dix..............................................................................................................................................
Recommendations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as to the minimum standards which should be observed by
member banks in making loans upon real estate.....................................
Recommendations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as to the minimum standards for installment paper used as
collateral security foradvances to member banks...................................
Statutory Provisions...................................................................................................

5
5

12

12

13
14

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The guiding principle underlying the discount policy of the Federal
Reserve Banks is the advancement of the public interest. Accordingly,
the effect that the granting or withholding of credit accommodation by
a Federal Reserve Bank may have on a member bank, on its depositors
and on the community is of primary importance.
In extending accommodation to any member bank, the Federal Re­
serve Banks are required to have due regard to the demands of other
member banks, as well as to the maintenance of sound credit conditions
and the accommodation of commerce, industry, and agriculture, and to
consider not only the nature of the paper offered, but also the general
character and amount of the loans and investments of the member
bank, and whether the bank has been extending an undue amount of
credit for speculative purposes in securities, real estate, or commodi­
ties, or in any other way has conducted its operations in a manner
inconsistent with the maintenance of sound credit conditions.

REGULATION A
Revised effective October 1, 1937
(Superseding Regulation A, Series of 1930)

DISCOUNTS FOR AND ADVANCES TO MEMBER BANKS
BY FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS
IN T R O D U C T IO N

This regulation is based upon and issued pursuant to various provi­
sions of the Federal Reserve Act, the most important of which, to­
gether with related provisions of law, are published in the Appendix
hereto. The regulation is applicable to the following forms of borrow­
ing from a Federal Reserve Bank: (1) discounts for member banks of
commercial, agricultural and industrial paper and bankers’ accept­
ances; (2) advances to member banks on their own notes secured by
paper eligible for discount or purchase by Federal Reserve Banks, by
obligations of the United States or certain corporations owned by the
United States, or by other security which is satisfactory to the Federal
Reserve Bank; and (3) discounts for Federal Intermediate Credit
banks.
SECTION

1.

D ISCO U N T OF N OTES, D R A F T S A N D

BILLS FOR

MEMBER

B A N K S 12

(a) Commercial, agricultural and industrial paper.—Any Federal
Reserve Bank may discount for any of its member banks, under au­
thority of sections 13 and 13a of the Federal Reserve Act, any note,
draft, or bill of exchange which meets the following requirements:
(1)
It must be a negotiable note, draft, or bill of exchange,
bearing the indorsement of a member bank, which has been issued
or drawn, or the proceeds of which haAre been used or are to be
used, in producing, purchasing, carrying or marketing goods- in
one or more of the steps of the process of production, manufacture,
or distribution, or in meeting current operating expenses of a com­
mercial, agricultural or industrial business, or for the purpose of
carrying or trading in direct obligations of the United States (i.c.
1 Even though paper is not eligible for discount by a Federal Reserve Bank for a member
bank under the provisions o f this regulation, it may be used as security for an advance by a
Federal Reserve Bank to a member bank under the terms and conditions o f subsection (c) and
subsection (d ) of section 2 of this regulation if it constitutes security satisfactory to the Federal
Reserve Bank. In addition to the classes of paper mentioned in section 1 of this regulation a
Federal Reserve Bank may discount bankers’ acceptances in accordance with the provisions of
section 6 of this regulation.
2 As used in this regulation the word “ goods” shall be construed to include goods, wares,
merchandise, or agricultural products, including livestock.

1

2

REGULATION A

bonds, notes, Treasury bills or certificates of indebtedness of the
United States);
(2) It must not be a note, draft, or bill of exchange the proceeds
of which have been used or are to be used for permanent or fixed
investments of any kind, such as land, buildings or machinery, or
for any other fixed capital purpose;
(3) It must not be a note, draft, or bill of exchange the pro­
ceeds of which have been used or are to be used for transactions of
a purely speculative character or issued or drawn for the purpose
of carrying or trading in stocks, bonds or other investment securi­
ties except direct obligations of the United States (i.e. bonds,
notes, Treasury bills or certificates of indebtedness of the United
States);
(4) It must have a maturity at the time of discount of not ex­
ceeding ninety days, exclusive of days of grace, except that agri­
cultural paper as defined below in this section of this regulation
may have a maturity of not exceeding nine months, exclusive of
days of grace; but this requirement is not applicable with respect
to bills of exchange payable at sight or on demand of the kind
described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Bills o f exchange payable at sight or on demand.— Any Federal
Reserve Bank may discount for any of its member banks, under au­
thority of section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act, negotiable bills of
exchange payable at sight or on demand which (1) bear the indorse­
ment of a member bank, (2) grow out of the domestic shipment or the
exportation of nonperishable, readily marketable staples,3 and (3) are
secured by bills of lading or other shipping documents conveying or
securing title to such staples. All such bills of exchange shall be for­
warded promptly for collection, and demand for payment shall be
made promptly, unless the drawer instructs that they be held until
arrival of such staples at their destination, in which event they must
be presented for payment within a reasonable time after notice of such
arrival has been received. In no event shall any such bill be held by
or for the account of a Federal Reserve Bank for a period in excess of
ninety days.
(c) Construction loans.— In addition to paper of the kinds specified
above, any Federal Reserve Bank may discount for any of its member
banks, uhder authority of section 24 of the Federal Reserve Act, a
negotiable note which (1) represents a loan made to finance the con­
struction of a residential or a farm building whether or not secured by
3 A readily marketable staple within the meaning o f this regulation means an nrticle o f com meree, agriculture, or industry o f such uses ns to make it the subject o f constant dealings in
ready markets with such frequent quotations o f price as to make (a ) the price easily and
definitely ascertainable and (b ) the staple itself easy to realize upon by sale at any time.

REGULATION A

3

lien upon real estate, (2) is indorsed by such member bank, (3) is
accompanied by a valid and binding agreement, entered into by a per­
son4 acceptable to the discounting Federal Reserve Bank, requiring
such person to advance the full amount of the loan upon the com­
pletion of the construction of such residential or farm building, and (4)
matures not more than six months from the date such loan was made
and not more than ninety days from the date of such discount by such
Federal Reserve Bank, exclusive of days of grace.
(d)
Agricultural paper.— Agricultural paper, within the meaning of
this regulation, is a negotiable note, draft, or bill of exchange issued or
drawn, or the proceeds of which have been or are to be used, for agricul­
tural purposes, including the production of agricultural products, the
marketing of agricultural products by the growers thereof, or the
carrying of agricultural products by the growers thereof pending
orderly marketing, and the breeding, raising, fattening, or marketing
of livestock.
(<?) Paper of cooperative marketing associations.— Notes, drafts,
bills of exchange, or acceptances issued or drawn by cooperative mar­
keting associations composed of producers of agricultural products are
deemed to have been issued or drawn for an agricultural purpose within
the meaning of the foregoing definition of “ agricultural paper” , if the
proceeds thereof have been or are to be used by such association in
making advances to any members thereof for an agricultural purpose,
in making payments to any members thereof on account of agricultural
products delivered by such members to the association, or to meet ex­
penditures incurred or to be incurred by the association in connection
with the grading, processing, packing, preparation for market, or mar­
keting of any agricultural product handled by such association for any
of its members. In addition, any other paper of such associations
which complies with the applicable requirements of this regulation may
be discounted. Paper of cooperative marketing associations the pro­
ceeds of which have been or are to be used (1) to defray the expenses
of organizing such associations, or (2) for the acquisition of ware­
houses, for the purchase or improvement of real estate, or for any
other permanent or fixed investment of any kind, is not eligible for
discount, even though such warehouses or other property is to be
used exclusively in connection with the ordinary operations of the
association.
(/) Factors’ paper.— Notes, drafts, and bills of exchange of factors
issued as such for the purpose of making advances exclusively to
producers of staple agricultural products in their raw state are eligible
4 Such person may be the member bank offering the note for discount or any other individual,
partnership, association or corporation.

4

REGULATION A

for discount with maturities not in excess of ninety days, exclusive of
days of grace.
( g) Collateral securing discounted paper.— Any note, draft, or bill
of exchange eligible for discount is not rendered ineligible because it is
secured by the pledge of goods or collateral of any nature, including
paper ineligible for discount.
( h ) Determination of eligibility.— A Federal Reserve Bank shall
take such steps as may be necessary to satisfy itself as to the eligibility
of any paper offered for discount. Compliance of paper with the pro­
visions of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section may be
evidenced by a statement which adequately reflects the borrower’s
financial worth and evidences a reasonable excess of quick assets over
current liabilities, or such compliance may be evidenced in any other
manner satisfactory to the Federal Reserve Bank.
(i) Limitations.— The aggregate of notes, drafts, and bills upon
which any person, copartnership, association, or corporation is liable
as maker, acceptor, indorser, drawer, or guarantor, discounted for any
member bank shall at no time exceed the amount for which such per­
son, copartnership, association, or corporation may lawfully become
liable to a national bank under the terms of section 5200 of the Revised
Statutes of the United States, as amended.5 The law forbids a Federal
Reserve Bank to discount for any State member bank notes, drafts, or
bills of exchange of any one borrower who is liable for borrowed
money to such State member bank in an amount greater than that
which could be borrowed lawfully from such State member bank were
it a national bank.
SEC TION

2.

A D V AN C ES TO

MEMBER

BAN K S

(а) Advances on eligible paper.— Any Federal Reserve Bank may
make advances, under authority of section 13 of the Federal Reserve
Act, to any of its member banks for periods not exceeding ninety days
on the promissory note of such member bank secured by such notes,
drafts, bills of exchange, or bankers’ acceptances as are eligible for
discount by Federal Reserve Banks under the provisions of this
regulation or for purchase by such banks under the provisions of
Regulation B.
(б) Advances on Government obligations.— Any Federal Reserve
Bank may make advances, under authority of section 13 of the Federal
Reserve Act, to any o f its member banks for periods not exceeding
5 Section 5200 o f the Revised Statutes o f the United States is printed in the Appendix to this
regulation (page 19) together with a tabular analysis o f the section prepared in the office o f the
Comptroller o f the Currency (page 22).

REGULATION A

5

fifteen days6 on the promissory note of such member bank secured
(1) by the deposit or pledge of bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness,
or Treasury bills of the United States, or (2) by the deposit or pledge
of debentures or other such obligations of Federal Intermediate Credit
banks having maturities of not exceeding six months from the date of
the advance, or (3) by the deposit or pledge of Federal Farm Mortgage
Corporation bonds issued under the Federal Farm Mortgage Corpora­
tion Act and guaranteed both as to principal and interest by the
United States, or (4) by the deposit or pledge of Home Owners’ Loan
Corporation bonds issued under the provisions of subsection (c) of
section 4 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act of 1933, as amended, and
guaranteed both as to principal and interest by the United States.
(c) Advances on other security under section 10(b) of the Federal
Reserve Act.— Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this sec­
tion, any Federal Reserve Bank may make advances, under authority
of section 10(b) of the Federal Reserve Act, to any of its member banks
upon the latter’s promissory note secured to the satisfaction of such
Federal Reserve Bank. The rate on advances made under the pro­
visions of this subsection shall in no event be less than one-half of 1
per cent per annum higher than the highest rate applicable to dis­
counts for member banks under the provisions of sections 13 and 13a
of the Federal Reserve Act in effect at such Federal Reserve Bank.
Such an advance must be evidenced by the promissory note of such
member bank payable either (1) on a definite date not more than four
months after the date of such advance, or (2) at the option of the
holder on or before a definite date not more than four months after the
date of such advance.
(d) Kinds o f collateral which may he used as security for advances
under section 10(h) of the Federal Reserve Act.— A Federal Reserve
Bank may accept as security for an advance made under the provisions
of subsection (c) of this section assets of any of the classes enumerated
below which are satisfactory to the Federal Reserve Bank, or paper
secured by assets of such classes:
(1) Assets which may be used as collateral security for ad­
vances under subsection (a) of this section, entitled “ Advances on
eligible paper” , or subsection (b) of this section, entitled “ Ad­
vances on Government obligations” ;
(2) Paper which would be eligible for discount or for purchase
by Federal Reserve Banks except by reason of the fact that the
period of its maturity is greater than that permitted for paper
eligible for discount or purchase.
0 However, under the provisions o f the last paragraph o f section 13 of the Federal Reserve
Act, any Federal Reserve Hank may make advances for periods not exceeding ninety days to
individuals, partnerships, or corporations (including hanks) on their promissory notes secured by
direct obligations o f the United States at rates fixed for the purpose.

6

REGULATION A

(3) Investment securities as defined by the Comptroller of the
Currency pursuant to section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States;
(4) Obligations evidencing loans upon the security of stock
which are made in conformity with the provisions of Regulation U ;
(5) Obligations insured under the provisions of Title I or
Title II of the National Housing Act;
(6) Debentures, bonds, or other such obligations issued by
Federal Home Loan banks or issued under authority of the
Federal Farm Loan Act, without regard to the maturity of any
such obligations;
(7) Bills, notes, revenue bonds, and warrants which constitute
general obligations of any State or of any political subdivision
thereof;
(8) Obligations which are issued or drawn for the purpose of
financing, refinancing, or carrying real estate and which comply
substantially with the standards set forth in the recommendations
relating to real estate loans in the Appendix to this regulation;
(9) Obligations which are issued or drawn for the purpose of
financing or refinancing the sale of goods upon an installment basis
and which comply substantially with the standards set forth in
the recommendations relating to loans upon an installment basis
in the Appendix to this regulation, and obligations of businesses
principally engaged in extending credit on such basis and in sub­
stantial accordance with such standards.
In addition, when in the judgment of the Federal Reserve Bank cir­
cumstances make it advisable to do so, the Federal Reserve Bank may
accept as security for an advance under subsection (c) of this section
any assets other than those set forth above which are satisfactory to
the Federal Reserve Bank.
SEC TIO N

3.

GENERAL

R EQ U IR E M E N TS

AS TO

DISCO U N TS

AN D

A D V AN C ES

(a) Applications for discounts or advances.— Every application by
a member bank for the discount of paper or for an advance to such
bank must contain a certificate of such bank, in form to be prescribed
by the Federal Reserve Bank, that the paper offered for discount or the
security offered for the advance, as the case may be, has not been ac­
quired from a nonmember bank (otherwise than in accordance with
section 4 of this regulation) or, if so acquired, that the applying mem­
ber bank has received permission from the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System to discount with the Federal Reserve Bank
paper acquired from nonmember banks or to obtain advances from

REGULATION A

7

the Federal Reserve Bank on security so acquired. Every such appli­
cation shall also contain a notation by the member bank as to whether
it has on file.a statement which adequately reflects the financial worth
of a party primarily liable on the paper offered as security for an
advance or for discount or of the person from whom the member bank
acquired such paper if such person is legally liable thereon. Every
application of a State member bank for the discount of paper must
contain a certificate or guaranty to the effect that the borrower is not
liable and will not be permitted to become liable to such bank for
borrowed money during the time his paper is under discount with the
Federal Reserve Bank in an amount greater than that which could be
borrowed lawfully from such State bank were it a national bank.
(b) Financial statements.— In order to determine whether paper
offered for discount or security offered for an advance is eligible and
acceptable, any Federal Reserve Bank may require that there be filed
with it statements, or certified copies thereof, which adequately reflect
the financial worth (1) of one or more parties to any note, draft, or bill
of exchange offered for discount or to any obligation offered as security
for an advance and (2) of any corporations or firms affiliated with or
subsidiary to such party or parties. A Federal Reserve Bank may in
any case require such other information as it deems necessary.
(c) Speculative use o f credit by a member bank.— Each Federal
Reserve Bank is required by law to keep itself informed of the general
character and amount of the loans and investments of its member banks
with a view to ascertaining whether undue use is being made of bank
credit for the speculative carrying of or trading in securities, real
estate, or commodities, or for any other purpose inconsistent with the
maintenance of sound credit conditions; and, in determining whether
to grant or refuse discounts or advances, the Federal Reserve Bank is
required to give consideration to such information. Each Federal
Reserve Bank may require such information from its member banks
as it may deem necessary in order to determine whether such undue
use of bank credit is being made.
(d) Additional or marginal collateral.— In connection with any dis­
count or advance under this regulation, a Federal Reserve Bank may
require such additional or marginal collateral as it may deem advisable
or necessary for its protection; and the requirements of this regula­
tion with respect to collateral shall not be applicable to such additional
or marginal collateral. In any case in which additional or marginal
collateral is required, it is expected that the Federal Reserve Bank in
determining the amount will give due regard to the public welfare and
the general effects that its action may have on the position of the
member bank, on its depositors, and on the community; and in general

8

REGULATION A

a Federal Reserve Bank should limit the amount of collateral it re­
quires to the minimum consistent with safety. In any case where the
amount of the assets of a member bank, at their reasonable value
determined in a manner satisfactory to the Reserve Bank, required as
collateral in connection with any discount or advance under the pro­
visions of this regulation exceeds at the time of the discount or advance
25 per cent of the amount of paper discounted or 125 per cent of the
amount of the advance, as the case may be, the Federal Reserve Bank
shall include an explanation of the facts and circumstances of the
case in its loan schedule submitted to the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
(e) Credit extended on security of obligations of the United States.
— In any case in which the amount of an advance made by a Federal
Reserve Bank in accordance with the provisions of this regulation on
a member bank’s promissory note secured by direct obligations of the
United States or obligations which are guaranteed both as to principal
and interest by the United States is less than the face amount of such
obligations, the Reserve Bank shall include an explanation of the facts
and circumstances of the case in its loan schedule submitted to the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
SECTION

4.

P A P E R A C Q U IR E D

FR O M

NONM EM BER

BANKS

(a) Prohibition upon acceptance of nonmember bank paper.— Ex­
cept with the permission of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, no Federal Reserve Bank shall discount or accept as
security for an advance any assets acquired by a member bank from,
or bearing the signature or indorsement of, a nonmember bank, except
assets otherwise eligible which were purchased by the offering bank
on the open market or otherwise acquired in good faith and not for
the purpose of obtaining credit for a nonmember bank.
(b) Applications for permission.— An application for permission to
discount paper acquired from nonmember banks or to use as security
for advances assets acquired from nonmember banks shall be made
by the member bank which desires to offer such paper for discount or
such assets as security and shall state fully the facts which give rise to
such application and the reasons why the applying member bank de­
sires such permission. Such application shall be addressed to the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System but shall be sub­
mitted by the member bank to the Federal Reserve Bank of the dis­
trict, which will forward it promptly to the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System with its recommendation.
(c) Paper acquired from Federal Intermediate Credit banks.—The
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System hereby grants per­

9

REGULATION A

mission to Federal Reserve Banks to discount for member banks paper
bearing the signature or indorsement of, or acquired from, Federal In­
termediate Credit banks or to make advances to member banks upon
the security of paper or assets bearing such a signature or indorsement
or so acquired, if otherwise eligible under the law and this regulation.
SECTION

r>.

DISCO U N TS

FO R

FEDERAL

IN T E R M E D IA T E

C R E D IT

BAN KS

(a) Kinds and maturity of paper.— Any Federal Reserve Bank,
under authority of section 13a of the Federal Reserve Act, may dis­
count for any Federal Intermediate Credit bank (1) agricultural paper
as defined in section 1 of this regulation, or (2) notes payable to such
Federal Intermediate Credit bank covering loans or advances made by
it pursuant to the provisions of section 202(a) of Title II of the Federal
Farm Loan Act, which are secured by notes, drafts, or bills of exchange
eligible for discount by Federal Reserve Banks. Any paper discounted
for a Federal Intermediate Credit bank must bear the indorsement of
such bank and must have a maturity at the time of discount of not
more than nine months, exclusive of days of grace.
(b) Limitations.— No Federal Reserve Bank shall discount for any
Federal Intermediate Credit bank any paper which bears the indorse­
ment of any nonmember State bank or trust company which is eligible
for membership in the Federal Reserve System under the terms of
section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act. In acting upon applications for
the discount of paper for Federal Intermediate Credit banks, each
Federal Reserve Bank shall give preference to the demands of its own
member banks and shall have due regard to the probable future needs
of its own member banks. Except with the permission of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, no Federal Reserve Bank
shall discount paper for any Federal Intermediate Credit bank when
its own reserves amount to less than 50 per cent of its own aggregate
liabilities for deposits and Federal Reserve notes in actual circulation.
SECTION G.

BAN K E R S’ ACCEPTAN CES7

(a) Definition.— A banker’s acceptance within the meaning of this
regulation is a draft or bill of exchange, whether payable in the United
States or abroad and whether payable in dollars or some other money,
accepted by a bank or trust company, or a firm, person, company, or
corporation engaged generally in the business of granting bankers’
acceptance credits.
( b ) Eligibility.— Any Federal Reserve Bank may discount for any
of its member banks any such banker’s acceptance bearing the indorse­
7 For regulations governing the acceptance by member banks of drafts and bills o f exchange
drawn on them, see Regulation C.

10

REGULATION A

ment of a member bank and having a maturity at the time of discount
not greater than that prescribed by subsection (c) of this section,
which has been drawn under a credit opened for the purpose of con­
ducting or settling accounts resulting from a transaction or transac­
tions involving any one of the following:
(1) The shipment of goods between the United States and
any foreign country, or between the United States and any of its
dependencies or insular possessions, or between dependencies or
insular possessions and foreign countries, or between foreign coun­
tries;8
(2) The shipment of goods within the United States, provided
shipping documents conveying security title are attached at the
time of acceptance; or
(3) The storage in the United States or in any foreign country
of readily marketable staples,9 provided that the bill is secured
at the time of acceptance by a warehouse, terminal, or other simi­
lar receipt, conveying security title to such staples, issued by a
party independent of the customer or issued by a grain elevator
or warehouse company duly bonded and licensed and regularly
inspected by State or Federal authorities with whom all receipts
for such staples and all transfers thereof are registered and with­
out whose consent no staples may be withdrawn; and provided
further that the acceptor remains secured throughout the life of
the acceptance. In the event that the goods must be withdrawn
from storage prior to the maturity of the acceptance or the re­
tirement of the credit, a trust receipt or other similar document
covering the goods may be substituted in lieu of the original docu­
ment, provided that such substitution is conditioned upon a rea­
sonably prompt liquidation of the credit. In order to insure com­
pliance with this condition it should be required, when the original
document is released, either (A) that the proceeds of the goods
will be applied within a specified time toward a liquidation of the
acceptance credit or (B) that a new document, similar to the
original one, will be resubstituted within a specified time.
Provided, That acceptances for any one customer in excess of 10 per
cent of the capital and surplus of the accepting bank must remain
actually secured throughout the life of the acceptance, and in the case
of the acceptances of member banks this security must consist of
K In accepting any draft or hill o f exchange arising out of a shipment o f the kind referred
to in clause 1 of subsection (b)* o f section 6 o f this regulation, the accepting bank will be
expected to obtain substantiating evidence as to the eligibility o f the transaction underlying such
draft or hill o f exchange.
" A readilv marketable staple within the meaning o f this regulation means an article o f com ­
merce, agriculture, or industry o f such uses as to make it the subject o f constant dealings in
readv markets with such frequent quotations of price as to make (a ) the price easily and
definitely ascertainable and (b ) the staple itself easy to realize upon b y sale at any time.

REGULATION A

11

shipping documents, warehouse receipts, or other such documents, or
some other actual security growing out of the same transaction as the
acceptance, such as documentary drafts, trade acceptances, terminal
receipts, or trust receipts which have been issued under such circum­
stances, and which cover goods of such a character, as to insure at all
times a continuance of an effective and lawful lien in favor of the
accepting bank, other trust receipts not being considered such actual
security if they permit the customer to have access to or control over
the goods.
(c) Maturities.— No such acceptance is eligible for discount which
has a maturity at the time of discount in excess of ninety days’ sight,
exclusive of days of grace, except that acceptances drawn for agri­
cultural purposes and secured at the time of acceptance by warehouse
receipts or other such documents conveying or securing title covering
readily marketable staples may be discounted with maturities at the
time of discount of not more than six months’ sight, exclusive of days
of grace. Although a Federal Reserve Bank may legally discount an
acceptance having a maturity at the time of discount not greater than
that prescribed above in this subsection, an acceptance should not have
a maturity which is in excess of the usual or customary period of credit
required to finance the underlying transaction or which is in excess
of the period reasonably necessary to finance such transaction. Since
the purpose of permitting the acceptance of drafts secured by ware­
house receipts or other such documents is to permit the temporary
holding of readily marketable staples in storage pending a reasonably
prompt sale, shipment, or distribution, no such acceptance should have
a maturity in excess of the time ordinarily necessary to effect a rea­
sonably prompt sale, shipment, or distribution into the process of
manufacture or consumption.
(d) Dollar exchange acceptances.— A Federal Reserve Bank may
also discount any bill drawn by a bank or banker in a foreign coun­
try or dependency or insular possession of the United States for the
purpose of furnishing dollar exchange as provided in Regulation C,
provided that it has a maturity at the time of discount of not more
than three months, exclusive of days of grace.
(e) Evidence of eligibility.— A Federal Reserve Bank must be satis­
fied, either by reference to the acceptance itself or otherwise, that the
acceptance is eligible for discount under the terms of the law and the
provisions of this regulation. The bill itself should be drawn so as
to evidence the character of the underlying transaction, but if it is
not so drawn evidence of eligibility may consist of a stamp or certifi­
cate affixed by the acceptor in form satisfactory to the Federal Reserve
Bank.

A PP E N D I X
Recom m endations o f the Board o f Governors o f the Federal R e­
serve System as to the M inim um Standards W hich Should Be
Observed by M em ber Banks in Making Loans upon Real Estate
While recognizing that requirements of individual banks in making
loans for the purpose of financing or carrying real estate will vary
according to the circumstances of particular transactions, the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System believes that certain
minimum standards should be observed. Some of these standards
are specifically required by law with respect to loans of national
banks. Others are advisable as a matter of sound banking practice.
The examiners for the Federal Reserve Banks should take such stand­
ards into consideration in reviewing loans of State member banks, and
Federal Reserve Banks in passing upon applications of member banks
for credit accommodations supported by real estate loans should give
preference to the acceptance as collateral of such loans as meet these
standards. With these considerations in mind the Board recommends
that member banks in making or acquiring real estate loans, other
than those insured under Title II of the National Housing Act, apply
the standards set forth below as minimum requirements:
(1) Obligations issued or drawn for the purpose of financing,
refinancing, or carrying real estate should be secured by first lien,
evidenced by mortgage, trust deed, or other such instrument, upon
improved real estate, including improved farm land and improved
business and residential properties;
(2) The amount of the loan or loans evidenced by such obliga­
tions should not exceed 50 per cent of the appraised value of the
real estate securing such loan or loans and no such loan should
be for a longer term than five years, except that any such loan
may be in an amount not exceeding 60 per cent of the appraised
value of the real estate securing such loan and for a term not
longer than ten years if the loan is secured by an amortized mort­
gage, deed of trust, or other such instrument under the terms of
which 40 per cent or more of the principal of the loan will be
amortized within a period of not more than ten years by means
of substantially equal monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual
payments on principal with interest added or on principal and
interest combined, and member banks should take reasonable
steps to satisfy themselves that the payments and other require­
ments of the obligations will be met in accordance with their
terms;
(3) There should be on file with the member bank with respect
to such obligations the following documents or properly certified
or photostat copies thereof:

12

REGULATION A

13

(a) an appraisal of the value of the real estate which has
been made within a reasonable time before the obligation
was acquired by the member bank (i) by one or more com­
petent and experienced appraisers independent of the mem­
ber bank who have no interest, direct or indirect, in the real
estate, or (ii) if the member bank maintains a separate real
estate department, by one or more officers or employees who
are regularly assigned to such department, who specialize
in real estate appraisals and who have no interest, direct or
indirect, in the real estate, or (iii) by a committee appointed
by the board of directors and consisting of not less than two
members who are qualified for the purpose and have no in­
terest, direct or indirect, in the real estate, and which ap­
praisal contains, in addition to such other data as may be re­
quired by the member bank, statements as to the purpose
for which the real estate is used or is proposed to be used and
the nature and amount of the income received therefrom;
(b) an adequate description of the real estate, including
the improvements;
(c) evidence of the title to the real estate in the form of a
certificate of a title company, a title insurance policy, an
opinion of a competent attorney, or other form satisfactory
to the member bank;
(d) satisfactory evidence that no taxes or assessments
thereon are delinquent and that adequate insurance is car­
ried; and
(e) such other information and documents as the circum­
stances of the case may render advisable.
Recom m endations o f the B oard o f Governors o f the Federal R e­
serve System as to the M inimum Standards fo r Installment
Paper Used as Collateral Security fo r Advances to Member
Banks
While recognizing that requirements of individual banks in making
loans for the purpose of financing or refinancing the sale of goods upon
an installment basis will vary according to the circumstances of par­
ticular transactions, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System believes that certain minimum standards should be observed
as a matter of sound banking practice. The examiners for the Federal
Reserve Banks should take such standards into consideration in re­
viewing loans of State member banks, and Federal Reserve Banks in
passing upon applications of member banks for credit accommodations
supported by obligations issued or drawn for the purpose of financing
or refinancing the sale of goods upon an installment basis should give
preference to the acceptance as collateral of such loans as meet these
standards. With these considerations in mind, the Board recommends

14

REGULATION A

that the standards set forth below be applied by all member banks as
minimum requirements in making or acquiring such loans:
(1) Obligations which are issued or drawn for the purpose of
financing or refinancing the sale of goods upon an installment basis
should be secured by first lien upon or retention of title to such
goods through a chattel mortgage, conditional sales contract, bail­
ment lease, or other similar instrument, insuring at all times the
continuance of an effective and lawful lien or retention of title in
favor of the holder of such obligations;
(2) The goods should be of such nature and the terms of the
obligations should be such that in the event of the resale of the
goods at any time during the life of the obligations it may reason­
ably be expected that the sum realized will be substantially
greater than that necessary to liquidate the amount of the obliga­
tions then unpaid, including interest and all charges; and
(3) Member banks should take reasonable steps to satisfy them­
selves that the payments and other requirements of the obliga­
tions will be met in accordance with their terms.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS

Section 4 of the Federal Reserve Act reads in part as follows:
“ Said board of directors shall administer the affairs of said
bank fairly and impartially and without discrimination in favor
of or against any member bank or banks and may, subject to the
provisions of law and the orders of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, extend to each member bank such dis­
counts, advancements, and accommodations as may be safely and
reasonably made with due regard for the claims and demands of
other member banks, the maintenance of sound credit conditions,
and the accommodation of commerce, industry, and agriculture.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may pre­
scribe regulations further defining within the limitations of this
Act the conditions under which discounts, advancements, and the
accommodations may be extended to member banks. Each Fed­
eral reserve bank shall keep itself informed of the general char­
acter and amount of the loans and investments of its member
banks with a view to ascertaining whether undue use is being
made of bank credit for the speculative carrying of or trading in
securities, real estate, or commodities, or for any other purpose
inconsistent with the maintenance of sound credit conditions; and,
in determining whether to grant or refuse advances, rediscounts
or other credit accommodations, the Federal reserve bank shall
give consideration to such information. The chairman of the
Federal reserve bank shall report to the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System any such undue use of bank credit by
any member bank, together with his recommendation. When­
ever, in the judgment of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, any member bank is making such undue use of
bank credit, the Board may, in its discretion, after reasonable
notice and an opportunity for a hearing, suspend such bank from

REGULATION A

15

the use of the credit facilities of the Federal Reserve System and
may terminate such suspension or may renew it from time to time.”
Section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act reads in part as follows:
“ Provided, however, That no Federal reserve bank shall be per­
mitted to discount for any State bank or trust company notes,
drafts, or bills of exchange of any one borrower who is liable for
borrowed money to such State bank or trust company in an
amount greater than that which could be borrowed lawfully from
such State bank or trust company were it a national banking asso­
ciation. The Federal reserve bank, as a condition of the discount
of notes, drafts, and bills of exchange for such State bank or trust
company, shall require a certificate or guaranty to the effect that
the borrower is not liable to such bank in excess of the amount
provided by this section, and will not be permitted to become liable
in excess of this amount while such notes, drafts, or bills of ex­
change are under discount with the Federal reserve bank.”
Section 10(b) of the Federal Reserve Act reads as follows:
“ Sec. 10(b). Any Federal Reserve bank, under rules and regu­
lations prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Re­
serve System, may make advances to any member bank on its time
or demand notes having maturities of not more than four months
and which are secured to the satisfaction of such Federal Reserve
bank. Each such note shall bear interest at a rate not less than
one-half of 1 per centum per annum higher than the highest dis­
count rate in effect at such Federal Reserve bank on the date of
such note.”
Section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act reads in part as follows:
“ Upon the indorsement of any of its member banks, which shall
be deemed a waiver of demand, notice and protest by such bank
as to its own indorsement exclusively, any Federal reserve bank
may discount notes, drafts, and bills of exchange arising out of
actual commercial transactions; that is, notes, drafts, and bills
of exchange issued or drawn for agricultural, industrial, or com­
mercial purposes, or the proceeds of which have been used, or are
to be used, for such purposes, the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System to have the right to determine or define
the character of the paper thus eligible for discount, within the
meaning of this Act. Nothing in this Act contained shall be
construed to prohibit such notes, drafts, and bills of exchange,
secured by staple agricultural products, or other goods, wares, or
merchandise from being eligible for such discount, and the notes,
drafts, and bills of exchange of factors issued as such making
advances exclusively to producers of staple agricultural products
in their raw state shall be eligible for such discount; but such
definition shall not include notes, drafts, or bills covering merely
investments or issued or drawn for the purpose of carrying or
trading in stocks, bonds, or other investment securities, except
bonds and notes of the Government of the United States.* Notes,
* Or Treasury hills or certificates of indebtedness. See act approved June 17, 1929 (46 Stat., 19),
amending sec. 5 of Second Liberty Bond Act, approved Sept. 24, 1917 (40 Stat., 290).

16

REGULATION A

drafts, and bills admitted to discount under the terms of this
paragraph must have a maturity at the time of discount of not
more than 90 days, exclusive of grace.

«

a

*

*

«

“ Upon the indorsement of any of its member banks, which
shall be deemed a waiver of demand, notice, and protest by such
bank as to its own indorsement exclusively, and subject to regula­
tions and limitations to be prescribed by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, any Federal reserve bank may
discount or purchase bills of exchange payable at sight or on
demand which grow out of the domestic shipment or the exporta­
tion of nonperishable, readily marketable agricultural and other
staples and are secured by bills of lading or other shipping docu­
ments conveying or securing title to such staples: Provided, That
all such bills of exchange shall be forwarded promptly for collec­
tion, and demand for payment shall be made with reasonable
promptness after the arrival of such staples at their destination:
Provided further, That no such bill shall in any event be held by
or for the account of a Federal reserve bank for a period in excess
of ninety days. In discounting such bills Federal reserve banks
may compute the interest to be deducted on the basis of the
estimated life of each bill and adjust the discount after payment
of such bills to conform to the actual life thereof.
“ The aggregate of notes, drafts, and bills upon which any
person, copartnership, association, or corporation is liable as
maker, acceptor, jndorser, drawer, or guarantor, rediscounted for
any member bank, shall at no time exceed the amount for which
such person, copartnership, association, or corporation may law­
fully become liable to a national banking association under the
terms of section 5200 of the Revised Statutes, as amended: Pro­
vided, however, That nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
to change the character or class of paper now eligible for redis­
count by Federal reserve banks.
“ Any Federal reserve bank may discount acceptances of the
kinds hereinafter described, which have a maturity at the time of
discount of not more than ninety days’ sight, exclusive of days of
grace, and which are indorsed by at least one member bank:
Provided, That such acceptances if drawn for an agricultural pur­
pose and secured at the time of acceptance by warehouse receipts
or other such documents conveying or securing title covering
readily marketable staples may be discounted with a maturity at
the time of discount of not more than six months’ sight exclusive of
days of grace.
“ Any member bank may accept drafts or bills of exchange
drawn upon it having not more than six months’ sight to run, ex­
clusive of days of grace, which grow out of transactions involving
the importation or exportation of goods; or which grow out of
transactions involving the domestic shipment of goods provided
shipping documents conveying or securing title are attached at
the time of acceptance; or which are secured at the time of accep­
tance by a warehouse receipt or other such document conveying
or securing title covering readily marketable staples. * * * * *

17

REGULATION A

“ Any Federal Reserve bank may make advances for periods
not exceeding fifteen days to its member banks on their promis­
sory notes secured by the deposit or pledge of bonds, notes, certifi­
cates of indebtedness, or Treasury bills of the United States, or
by the deposit or pledge of debentures or other such obligations
of Federal intermediate credit banks which are eligible for pur­
chase by Federal reserve banks under section 13(a) of this Act,
or by the deposit or pledge of Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation
bonds issued under the Federal Farm Mortgage Corporation Act,
or by the deposit or pledge of bonds issued under the provisions
of subsection (c) of Section 4 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act
of 1933, as amended; and any Federal reserve bank may make
advances for periods not exceeding ninety days to its member
banks on their promissory notes secured by such notes, drafts,
bills of exchange, or bankers’ acceptances as are eligible for re­
discount or for purchase by Federal reserve banks under the pro­
visions of this Act. All such advances shall be made at rates to
be established by such Federal reserve banks, such rates to be
subject to the review and determination of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System. If any member bank to which any
such advance has been made shall, during the life or continuance
of such advance, and despite an official warning of the reserve bank
of the district or of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System to the contrary, increase its outstanding loans secured by
collateral in the form of stocks, bonds, debentures, or other such
obligations, or loans made to members of any organized stock
exchange, investment house, or dealer in securities, upon any
obligation, note, or bill, secured or unsecured, for the purpose of
purchasing and/or carrying stocks, bonds, or other investment
securities (except obligations of the United States) such advance
shall be deemed immediately due and payable, and such member
bank shall be ineligible as a borrower at the reserve bank of the
district under the provisions of this paragraph for such period as
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall de­
termine: Provided, That no temporary carrying or clearance loans
made solely for the purpose of facilitating the purchase or delivery
of securities offered for public subscription shall be included in
the loans referred to in this paragraph.
it

&

it

it

%

“ The discount and rediscount and the purchase and sale by any
Federal reserve bank of any bills receivable and of domestic and
foreign bills of exchange, and of acceptances authorized by this
Act, shall be subject to such restrictions, limitations, and regula­
tions as may be imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
*

it

*

it

it

“Any member bank may accept drafts or bills of exchange drawn
upon it having not more than three months’ sight to run, exclusive
of days of grace, drawn under regulations to be prescribed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System by banks or
bankers in foreign countries or dependencies or insular possessions
of the United States for the purpose of furnishing dollar exchange

18

REGULATION A

as required by the usages of trade in the respective countries,
dependencies, or insular possessions. Such drafts or bills may be
acquired by Federal reserve banks in such amounts and subject
to such regulations, restrictions, and limitations as may be pre­
scribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Sys­
tem: * * * * ”
Section 13a of the Federal Reserve Act as amended reads in part
as follows:
“ Upon the indorsement of any of its member banks, which shall
be deemed a waiver of demand, notice, and protest by such bank
as to its own indorsement exclusively, any Federal reserve bank
may, subject to regulations and limitations to be prescribed by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, discount
notes, drafts, and bills of exchange issued or drawn for an agricul­
tural purpose, or based upon live stock, and having a maturity,
at the time of discount, exclusive of days of grace, not exceeding
nine months,
* * *
“ That any Federal reserve bank may, subject to regulations
and limitations to be prescribed by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, rediscount such notes, drafts, and
bills for any Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, except that no
Federal reserve bank shall rediscount for a Federal Intermediate
Credit Bank any such note or obligation which bears the indorse­
ment of a nonmember State bank or trust company which is
eligible for membership in the Federal reserve system, in accord­
ance with section 9 of this Act. Any Federal reserve bank may
also, subject to regulations and limitations to be prescribed by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, discount
notes payable to and bearing the indorsement of any Federal
intermediate credit bank covering loans or advances made by
such bank pursuant to the provisions of section 202(a) of Title
II of the Federal Farm Loan Act, as amended (U.S.C., Title 12,
ch. 8, sec. 1031), which have maturities at the time of discount
of not more than nine months, exclusive of days of grace, and
which are secured by notes, drafts, or bills of exchange eligible
for rediscount by Federal Reserve banks.
->;*

*;:*

*x*

“ Notes, drafts, bills of exchange or acceptances issued or drawn
by cooperative marketing associations composed of producers of
agricultural products shall be deemed to have been issued or
drawn for an agricultural purpose, within the meaning of this sec­
tion, if the proceeds thereof have been or are to be advanced by
such association to any members thereof for an agricultural pur­
pose, or have been or are to be used by such association in making
payments to any members thereof on account of agricultural prod­
ucts delivered by such members to the association, or if such
proceeds have been or are to be used by such association to meet
expenditures incurred or to be incurred by the association in con­
nection with the grading, processing, packing, preparation for
market, or marketing of any agricultural product handled by such
association for any of its members: Provided, That the express

REGULATION A

19

enumeration in this paragraph of certain classes of paper of co­
operative marketing associations as eligible for rediscount shall
not be construed as rendering ineligible any other class of paper
of such associations which is now eligible for rediscount.
“ The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may,
by regulation, limit to a percentage of the assets of a Federal
reserve bank the amount o f notes, drafts, acceptances, or bills
having a maturity in excess of three months, but not exceeding
six months, exclusive of days of grace, which may be discounted
by such bank, and the amount of notes, drafts, bills, or ac­
ceptances having a maturity in excess of six months, but not ex­
ceeding nine months, which may be rediscounted by such bank.”
Section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act reads in part as follows:
“ * * * No member bank shall act as the medium or agent
of a nonmember bank in applying for or receiving discounts from
a Federal reserve bank under the provisions of this Act, except
by permission of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.”
Section 24 of the Federal Reserve Act reads in part as follows:
“ Loans made to finance the construction of residential or farm
buildings and having maturities of not to exceed six months,
whether or not secured by a mortgage or similar lien on the real
estate upon which the residential or farm building is being con­
structed, shall not be considered as loans secured by real estate
within the meaning of this section but shall be classed as ordinary
commercial loans: Provided, That no national banking associa­
tion shall invest in, or be liable on, any such loans in an aggregate
amount in excess of 50 per centum of its actually paid-in and un­
impaired capital. Notes representing such loans shall be eligible
for discount as commercial paper within the terms of the second
paragraph of section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended,
if accompanied by a valid and binding agreement to advance the
full amount of the loan upon the completion of the building
entered into by an individual, partnership, association, or cor­
poration acceptable to the discounting bank.”
Section 5200 of the Revised Statutes of the United States reads as
follows:
“ Sec. 5200. The total obligations to any national banking as­
sociation of any person, copartnership, association, or corporation
shall at no time exceed 10 per centum of the amount of the capital
stock of such association actually paid in and unimpaired and 10
per centum of its unimpaired surplus fund. The term ‘obliga­
tions’ shall mean the direct liability of the maker or acceptor of
paper discounted with or sold to such association and the liability
of the indorser, drawer, or guarantor who obtains a loan from or
discounts paper with or sells paper under his guaranty to such
association and shall include in the case of obligations of a copartnership or association the obligations of the several members

20

REGULATION A

thereof and shall include in the case of obligations of a corpora­
tion all obligations of all subsidiaries thereof in which such cor­
poration owns or controls a majority interest. Such limitation
of 10 per centum shall be subject to the following exceptions:
“ (1) Obligations in the form of drafts or bills of exchange
drawn in good faith against actually existing values shall not be
subject under this section to any limitation based upon such capi­
tal and surplus.
“ (2) Obligations arising out of the discount of commercial or
business paper actually owned by the person, copartnership, asso­
ciation, or corporation negotiating the same shall not be subject
under this section to any limitation based upon such capital and
surplus.
“ (3) Obligations drawn in good faith against actually existing
values and secured by goods or commodities in process of ship­
ment shall not be subject under this section to any limitation
based upon such capital and surplus.
“ (4) Obligations as indorser or guarantor of notes, other than
commercial or business paper excepted under (2) hereof, having
a maturity of not more than six months, and owned by the person,
corporation, association, or copartnership indorsing and nego­
tiating the same, shall be subject under this section to a limitation
of 15 per centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such
10 per centum of such capital and surplus.
“ (5) Obligations in the form of banker’s acceptances of other
banks of the kind described in section 13 of the Federal Reserve
Act shall not be subject under this section to any limitation based
upon such capital and surplus.
a (6) Obligations of any person, copartnership, association or
corporation, in the form of notes or drafts secured by shipping
documents, warehouse receipts or other such documents trans­
ferring or securing title covering readily marketable nonperish­
able staples when such property is fully covered by insurance, if
it is customary to insure such staples, shall be subject under this
section to a limitation of 15 per centum of such capital and sur­
plus in addition to such 10 per centum of such capital and surplus
when the market value of such staples securing such obligations
is not at any time less than 115 per centum of the face amount of
such obligation, and to an additional increase of limitation of 5
per centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such 25
per centum of such capital and surplus when the market value of
such staples securing such additional obligation is not at any time
less than 120 per centum of the face amount of such additional
obligation, and to a further additional increase of limitation of 5
per centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such 30 per
centum of such capital and surplus when the market value of such
staples securing such additional obligation is not at any time less
than 125 per centum of the face amount of such additional obliga­
tion, and to a further additional increase of limitation of 5 per
centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such 35 per
centum of such capital and surplus when the market value of such

REGULATION A

21

staples securing such additional obligation is not at any time less
than 130 per centum of the face amount of such additional obliga­
tion, and to a further additional increase of limitation of 5 per
centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such 40 per
centum of such capital and surplus when the market value of such
staples securing such additional obligation is not at any time less
than 135 per centum of the face amount of such additional obliga­
tion, and to a further additional increase of limitation of 5 per
centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such 45 per
centum of such capital and surplus when the market value of
such staples securing such additional obligation is not at any time
less than 140 per centum of the face amount of such additional
obligation, but this exception shall not apply to obligations of any
one person, copartnership, association or corporation arising from
the same transactions and/or secured upon the identical staples
for more than ten months.
“ (7) Obligations of any person, copartnership, association, or
corporation in the form of notes or drafts secured by shipping
documents or instruments transferring or securing title covering
livestock or giving a lien on livestock when the market value of
the livestock securing the obligation is not at any time less than
115 per centum of the face amount of the notes covered by such
documents shall be subject under this section to a limitation of
15 per centum of such capital and surplus in addition to such
10 per centum of such capital and surplus.
“ (8) Obligations of any person, copartnership, association, or
corporation in the form of notes secured by not less than a like
amount of bonds or notes of the United States issued since April
24, 1917, or certificates of indebtedness of the United States,
Treasury bills of the United States, or obligations fully guaran­
teed both as to principal and interest by the United States, shall
(except to the extent permitted by rules and regulations pre­
scribed by the Comptroller of the Currency, with the approval of
the Secretary of the Treasury) be subject under this section to
a limitation of 15 per centum of such capital and surplus in addi­
tion to such 10 per centum of such capital and surplus.
“ (9) Obligations representing loans to any national banking
association or to any banking institution organized under the laws
of any State, or to any receiver, conservator, or superintendent
of banks, or to any other agent, in charge of the business and
property of any such association or banking institution, when
such loans are approved by the Comptroller of the Currency, shall
not be subject under this section to any limitation based upon
such capital and surplus.”

22

REGULATION A

T abular A nalysis of S ection 5200 of th e R evised S tatutes of t h e U nited
S tates P repared in th e O ffice of t h e C omptroller of t h e C urrency
O B LIG A TIO N S
(See definition in section 5200 above)

AM OU N TS LOANABLE

(A) Accom m odation or straight loans, whether or not single
name, including liability as endorser or guarantor (where
endorser or guarantor receives the proceeds from bank)
of paper not coming within exceptions 2 and 4.
Loans secured by stocks, bonds, and authorized real estate
mortgages.

Maximum limit, 10 per cent of bank’s
paid up and unimpaired capital and
surplus.

(1) Drafts or ‘‘bills of exchange drawn in good faith against
actually existing values.”

N o limit imposed by law.

(2) Commercial or business paper (of other makers) actually
owned by the person, copartnership, association, or cor­
poration negotiating the same.

N o limit imposed by law.

(3) Obligations secured by goods or commodities in process of
shipment.

N o limit imposed by law.

(4) Obligations as endorser or guarantor of notes (other than
commercial or business paper) maturing within six
months, owned by endorser.

15 per cent in addition to 10 per cent
(A).

(5) Bankers’ acceptances of the kinds described in section 13
of the Federal Reserve Act.

N o limit imposed by law.

(6) Obligations secured by shipping documents, warehouse
receipts, or other such documents, transferring or secur­
ing title covering readily marketable nonperishable
staples—
(a) When the actual market value of the property is
not at any time less than shown in table herewith.
(b) When the property is fully covered by insurance
(if customary to insure such com m odity), and in
no event shall this exception apply to obligations
of any one customer arising from the same trans­
actions a n d /or secured upon the identical staples
for more than 10 months.

15 per
5 per
5 per
5 per
5 per
5 per

cent,
cent,
cent,
cent,
cent,
cent,

secured
secured
secured
secured
secured
secured

by
by
by
by
by
by

115 per cent.
120 per cent.
125 per cent.
130 per cent.
135 per cent.
140 per cent.

40 per cent in addition to regular 10
per cent loan (A).

(7) Obligations secured by shipping documents or instruments
covering livestock or giving a lien thereon having a
market value of not less than 115 per cent of the amount
of the loan.

15 per cent in addition to regular 10
per cent lean (A).

(8) Notes secured by not less than a lik e f a c e a m o u n t of bonds
or notes of the United States issued since April 24, 1917,
or by certificates of indebtedness of the United States,
Treasury bills of the United States or obligations fully
guaranteed by the United States as to principal and
interest.

15 per cent of bank’s capital and sur­
plus, i n a d d itio n to the amount al­
lowed under (A), or if the full
amount allowed under (A) is not
loaned, then the amount which may
be loaned in the manner described
under (8) is increased b y the loan­
able amount not used under (A).
In other words, the amount loaned
undsr (A) must never be more than
10 per cent, but the aggregate of
(A) and (8) may equal, but not
exceed, 25 per cent.

(9) Loans to any bank or representative in charge of its busi­
ness, when approved by the Comptroller (A ct M ay 20,
1933).

N o limit.