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WASHINGTON—The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued an interim final rule clarifying rules regarding account withdrawals from collective investment funds (CIF).

The rule amends the OCC’s requirements applicable to national banks and federal savings associations administering CIFs invested primarily in real estate or other assets that are not readily marketable and codifies the time a bank generally has for withdrawing accounts from those CIFs. The rule establishes an exception that allows a bank to extend the period for withdrawals, with OCC approval and provided that certain conditions are met. The rule also creates an opportunity for additional extensions with OCC approval.

The extended withdrawal period under the OCC rule enables banks to preserve the value of CIF assets for the benefit of fund participants during unanticipated and severe market conditions, such as those related to the national health emergency resulting from COVID-19.