12 CFR § 611.1217 - Plain language requirements.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t12/s611.1217"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "12 CFR § 611.1217 - Plain language requirements."
title_number: 12
title_name: "Banks and Banking"
section_number: "611.1217"
section_name: "Plain language requirements."
chapter_name: "FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FARM CREDIT SYSTEM"
part_number: "611"
part_name: "ORGANIZATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Secs. 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.12, 1.13, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.3A, 4.12, 4.12A, 4.15, 4.20, 4.25, 4.26, 4.27, 4.28A, 5.9, 5.17, 5.25, 7.0-7.3, 7.6-7.13, 8.5(e) of the Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2002, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2091, 2092, 2093, 2121, 2122, 2123, 2124, 2128, 2129, 2130, 2154a, 2183, 2184, 2203, 2208, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2243, 2252, 2261, 2279a-2279a-3, 2279b-2279f-1, 2279aa-5(e)); secs. 411 and 412, Pub. L. 100-233, 101 Stat. 1568, 1638, as amended by secs. 403 and 404, Pub. L. 100-399, 102 Stat. 989, 999 (12 U.S.C. 2071 note and 2202 note)."
regulatory_source: "37 FR 11415, June 7, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "611"
---


# 611.1217 Plain language requirements.

(a) *Plain language presentation.* All communications to equity holders required under §§ 611.1210, 611.1223, 611.1240, and 611.1280 must be clear, concise, and understandable. You must:

(1) Use short, explanatory sentences, bullet lists or charts where helpful, and descriptive headings and subheadings;

(2) Minimize the use of glossaries or defined terms;

(3) Write in the active voice when possible; and

(4) Avoid legal and highly technical business terminology.

(b) *Balanced statements.* Communications to equity holders that describe or enumerate anticipated benefits of the proposed termination should also describe or enumerate the potential disadvantages to the same degree of detail.