NCUA is adopting a final rule implementing four modifications to its Chartering and Field of Membership Manual to update and clarify the process of approving credit union service to "underserved areas." First, the rule clarifies the procedure for establishing that an "underserved area" qualifies as a local community. Second, it makes explicit the process for applying the economic distress criteria that determine whether an area combining multiple geographic units is sufficiently "distressed" to qualify as "underserved." Third, it updates the documentation and clarifies the scope requirements for demonstrating that a proposed area has "significant unmet needs" for loans and financial services. Finally, the rule utilizes data provided by NCUA on the location of depository institution facilities to determine whether an area is "underserved by other depository institutions" according to the presence of their facilities within the area.