12 CFR §1231.4
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Prohibited indemnification payments. Except as permitted in paragraph (b) of this section, a regulated entity or the OF may not make indemnification payments with respect to an administrative proceeding or civil action that has been initiated by FHFA.
- (b)Permissible indemnification payments. A regulated entity or the OF may pay:
- (1)Premiums for any commercial insurance policy or fidelity bonds for directors and officers, to the extent that the insurance or fidelity bond covers expenses and restitution, but not a judgment in favor of FHFA or a civil money penalty imposed by FHFA.
- (2)Expenses of defending an action, subject to the affiliated party's agreement to repay those expenses if the affiliated party either:
- (i)When the proceeding results in a final and non-reviewable order, is found culpable for violating a law or regulation that is the basis for the charges to which the expenses specifically relate; or
- (ii)Enters into a settlement of those charges in which the affiliated party admits culpability with respect to them; or
- (iii)Is subject to a final and non-reviewable prohibition order under 12 U.S.C. 4636a.
- (3)Amounts due under an indemnification agreement entered into with a named affiliated party on or prior to September 20, 2016.
- (c)Process; factors. With respect to payments under paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
- (1)The board of directors of the regulated entity or the OF must conduct a due investigation and make a written determination in good faith that:
- (2)The affiliated party may not participate in the board's deliberations or decision.
- (3)If a majority of the board are respondents in the action, the remaining board members may approve payment after obtaining a written opinion of outside counsel that the conditions of this regulation have been met.
- (4)If all of the board members are respondents, they may approve payment after obtaining a written opinion of outside counsel that the conditions of this regulation have been met.
- (d)Scope. This section does not apply to a regulated entity operating in conservatorship or receivership or to a limited-life regulated entity.