On August 3, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released OCC Bulletin 2017-26 announcing a revised version of its “Failure Acquisitions” booklet designed to provide guidance on several policies and procedures impacting national banks and federal savings associations interested in acquiring a failed depository institution through the FDIC’s bidding process. The booklet, which is part of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual, covers:

• an overview of the process banks must follow when submitting a purchase and assumption (P&A) application, which requires OCC approval before a bank can begin the FDIC bidding process;
• considerations undertaken by the OCC when reviewing a P&A application;
• a description of the process and elements of the application, including public notice and competitive factors, as well as legal and accounting standards; and
• references and links to informational resources.