On June 28, 2004, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board of Directors adopted Guidelines for Appeals of Deposit Insurance Assessment Determinations, which were most recently amended on March 20, 2012. The Guidelines govern the Assessment Appeals Committee (AAC) process, reconstitute the AAC, and set out procedures for appeals to the AAC.
Assessment Appeals Committee (AAC) Guidelines
- Introduction
The Assessment Appeals Committee ("AAC") was formed in 1999 and, pursuant to the direction of the FDIC Board of Directors, functions as the appellate entity responsible for making final determinations pursuant to Part 327 of the FDIC's regulations regarding the assessment risk assignment, the assessment payment computation, and other related assessment determinations affecting insured depository institutions. Institutions that dispute the computation of their quarterly assessment payments must comply with the time limits and other filing requirements set forth at 12 C.F.R. § 327.3(f). Generally, any such request may be made within 90 days of the quarterly assessment invoice for which a revision is requested. Institutions that dispute their risk assignment – or dispute any determination for which review may be requested as provided in Part 327 - must comply with the time limits and other filing requirements set forth at 12 C.F.R. § 327.4(c). Generally, an institution may request review within 90 days from the date it receives notice of its risk assignment or other disputed determination from the FDIC. The AAC provides a process for considering all deposit insurance assessment appeals brought from determinations made by the appropriate FDIC divisions pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §§ 327.3(f) and 327.4(c). The procedures set forth in these guidelines apply to all appeals to the AAC.
- AAC Membership
The following individuals comprise the five (5) voting members of the AAC, representing each member of the FDIC Board of Directors: (1) One inside FDIC Board member, either the Vice Chairperson or the Director (Appointive), as designated by the FDIC Chairperson (this person would serve as Chairperson of the AAC); (2) one of the deputies or special assistants to the FDIC Chairperson, to be designated by the FDIC Chairperson; (3) a deputy or special assistant to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's member on the FDIC's Board of Directors; (4) a deputy or special assistant to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's member on the FDIC's Board of Directors; and (5) a deputy or special assistant to either the Vice Chairperson or the inside Director (Appointive), whoever is not the AAC Chairperson. The General Counsel is a non-voting member of the AAC. The FDIC Chairperson may designate alternative member(s) for the AAC if vacancies occur. A member of the AAC may designate and authorize the most senior member of his or her staff within the substantive area of responsibility related to cases before the AAC to act on his or her behalf.
- Institutions Eligible to Appeal
These guidelines apply to all depository institutions insured by the FDIC.
- Determinations Subject to Appeal
The AAC, upon appeal by an insured depository institution, reviews determinations of the Director of the Division of Insurance and Research, the Director of the Division of Risk Management Supervision, the Director of the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection, or the Director of the Office of Complex Financial Institutions ("OCFI") made pursuant to the procedures set forth at 12 C.F.R. § 327.4(c) regarding the assessment risk assignment provided by the FDIC to the institution - or any determination for which review may be requested as provided in Part 327 - and renders a final determination. The AAC also, upon appeal by an insured depository institution, reviews determinations made pursuant to 12 C.F.R. § 327.3(f) by the Director of the Division of Finance regarding the computation of the institution's assessment payment and renders a final determination.
- Appeal to the AAC
An institution that does not agree with the written determination rendered by the appropriate Division or Office Director pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §§ 327.4(c) and 327.3(f) must appeal that determination to the AAC within 30 calendar days from the date of the determination. The Director's determination will inform the institution of the 30-day time limit for filing with the AAC and will provide the mailing address for any appeal the institution may wish to file. Failure to file within the 30-day time period may result in denial of the appeal by the AAC.
If a Director recommends that an institution receive relief that the Director lacks delegated authority to grant, the Director may, with the approval of the Chairperson of the AAC, transfer the matter directly to the AAC without issuing a determination. Notice of such a transfer will be provided to the institution. A Director may also request guidance from the AAC Chairperson as to procedural or other questions relating to any request for revision or request for review.
- Filing With the AAC
An appeal to the AAC will be considered filed if the written appeal is received by the FDIC within 30 calendar days from the date of the Division or Office Director's written determination or if the written appeal is placed in the U.S. mail within that 30-day period. If the 30th day after the date of the Director's written determination is a Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, filing may be made on the next business day. The appeal should be sent to the address indicated on the determination being appealed.
- Contents of Appeal
The appeal should be labeled to indicate that it is an appeal to the AAC and should contain the name, address, and telephone number of the institution and any representative, as well as a copy of the determination being appealed. If oral presentation is sought, that request should be included in the appeal. Only matters previously reviewed at the division level, resulting in either a written determination or a direct referral to the AAC, may be appealed to the AAC. Evidence not presented for review at the division level may be submitted to the AAC only if authorized by the AAC Chairperson. The institution should set forth all of the reasons, legal and factual, why it disagrees with the determination. Nothing in the AAC administrative process shall create any discovery or other such rights.
- Burden of Proof
The burden of proof as to all matters at issue in the appeal, including timeliness of the appeal if timeliness is at issue, rests with the institution.
- Oral Presentation
The AAC may, in its discretion, whether or not a request is made, determine to allow an oral presentation. The AAC generally grants a request for oral presentation if it determines that oral presentation is likely to be helpful or would otherwise be in the public interest. Notice of the AAC's determination to grant or deny a request for oral presentation will be provided to the institution. If oral presentation is held, the institution will be allowed to present its position on the issues raised in the appeal and to respond to any questions from the AAC. The AAC may also require that FDIC staff participate as the AAC deems appropriate.
- Dismissal and Withdrawal
An appeal may be dismissed by the AAC if it is not timely filed, if the legal or factual basis for the appeal is not discernable from the appeal, or if the institution moves to withdraw the appeal.
- Scope of Review and Decision
The AAC will review all submissions concerning an appeal, review the final determination being appealed, consider any other matters it deems in its discretion to be appropriate, and issue a written decision within 60 days from the date the appeal is filed, or within 60 days from oral presentation, if held. The AAC may reconsider its decision only on a showing of an intervening change in the controlling law or the availability of material evidence not reasonably available when the decision was issued.
- Publication of Decisions
AAC decisions will be published and the published AAC decisions will be redacted to avoid disclosure of exempt information. In cases where redaction is deemed to be insufficient to prevent improper disclosure, published decisions may be presented in summary form. Published decisions of the AAC may be cited as precedent in appeals to the AAC.
- AAC Guidelines Generally
Appeals to the AAC will be governed by these guidelines. The AAC will retain the discretion to waive any provision of the guidelines for good cause; the AAC may adopt supplemental rules governing AAC operations; the AAC may order that material be kept confidential; and the AAC may consolidate similar appeals.
- Effect on Deposit Insurance Assessment Payments
The use of the procedures set forth in these guidelines by an insured institution will not affect, delay, or impede the obligation of that institution to make timely payment of any deposit insurance assessment.
Assessment Appeals Committee (AAC) Decisions
Assessment Appeals Committee Decisions
Related Link
Supervision Appeals: Guidelines and Committee Decision
Assessment Appeals Committee (AAC) Points of Contact
For further information concerning the AAC Guidelines contact:
- Philip Shively, Deputy Director, Deposit Insurance and Risk Analysis, Division of Insurance and Research, (202) 898-6790
- Jithu Kamuni, Deputy Director, Treasurer, Division of Finance, (703) 562-2568
- Patricia Colohan, Associate Director, Risk Management Examinations Branch, Division of Risk Management Supervision, (202) 898-7283