TO:
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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SUBJECT:
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Examination Guidance on the Safety and Soundness
Aspects of Electronic Banking Activities
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With the increasing emergence of electronic banking, and the associated risks to the safety and
soundness of insured financial institutions offering such products and services, the FDIC has
developed electronic banking examination procedures for its staff. The examination procedures,
which address the safety and soundness aspects of electronic banking, were issued to FDIC
examiners on January 29, 1997, and are available to insured financial institutions on request.
This guidance represents the first of the FDIC’s comprehensive four-part approach to evaluating
the wide-ranging risks inherent in emerging electronic banking activities. The three remaining
parts of this effort include:
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A training program has been created to educate FDIC examiners on how to use the new
procedures.
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Procedures addressing the technical aspects of electronic banking are being developed for
information systems specialists.
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A program to develop internal technical expertise is underway.
Financial institutions are using emerging technologies to offer existing products and services
through new delivery channels and, in some instances, to develop entirely new products and
services. Examples include Internet banking, electronic cash, and stored-value card systems.
Some of the risks involved with these emerging technologies are unique to the new delivery
channel, while others represent general risks that are similar to those in traditional banking
activities.
These new technologies are dynamic and raise a wide range of supervisory issues. The FDIC
does not wish to impose regulatory restrictions that may hinder the development of innovative
products and services. However, the FDIC does wish to promote the continued safety and
soundness of insured financial institutions, which are increasingly engaging in electronic banking
activities. During a September 1996 public hearing held by the FDIC on stored-value cards and
electronic payment systems, many participants sought regulatory guidance on safety and
soundness issues. In response, the FDIC is making its examination guidance available to insured
financial institutions.
The electronic banking examination procedures were designed to be sufficiently broad that they
may be applied to a wide range of electronic banking activities. As such, certain review points
may not apply to financial institutions that use or plan to use less sophisticated systems. The
FDIC recognizes that risk-management programs should be designed in relation to the nature and
complexity of an institution’s activities.
The examination procedures focus on important safety and soundness functions such as planning,
administration, internal controls, and policies and procedures, and are confined to non-technical
strategic and administrative areas because they are designed for safety and soundness examiners.
Technical aspects of electronic banking systems will be referred to information systems
specialists. Information systems examiners will continue to be guided by the FFIEC Information
Systems Examination Handbook, which will soon be supplemented by technical procedures
addressing electronic banking.
To request copies of the electronic banking examination procedures, please contact the FDIC’s
Public Information Center (PIC) by:
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calling (703) 562-2200 or (800) 276-6003,
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faxing (703) 562-2296, or
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writing to the PIC at 801 17th Street N.W., Room 100, Washington, D.C. 20434.
Electronic copies of the procedures in WordPerfect version 6.1 may be downloaded from the
FDIC’s site on the World Wide Web (
).
For further information, please contact your Division of Supervision Regional Office or Cynthia
A. Bonnette in the Washington Office at (202) 898-6583.
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Nicholas J. Ketcha Jr.
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Director
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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)
Note: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be
obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th
Street, N.W., Room 100, Washington, D.C. 20434 ((703) 562-2200 or
800-276-6003).
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