Highlights: - The FDIC encourages depository institutions to consider all reasonable and prudent steps to assist customers in communities affected by recent storms.
- When consistent with safe-and-sound banking practices, these efforts may include waiving fees, increasing ATM cash limits, easing credit card limits, allowing loan customers to defer or skip payments, and delaying the submission of delinquency notices to credit bureaus.
- The FDIC encourages depository institutions to use non-documentary verification methods permitted by the Customer Identification Program requirement of the Bank Secrecy Act for affected customers who cannot provide standard identification documents.
- Prudent efforts by depository institutions to meet customers' cash and financial needs generally will not be subject to examiner criticism.
- Refer to the attached Frequently Asked Questions for Bank Customers in Areas Affected by Hurricane Sandy for more information at: http://www.fdic.gov/news/disaster/sandy/sandyfaq.pdf
- Depository institutions can advise customers to contact the FDIC toll free at 1-800-ASK-FDIC or 1-877-275-3342 with questions about deposit insurance or accessing bank accounts.
Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings) in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia Suggested Routing:
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Loan Officer
Compliance Officer Note:
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2012/index.html.
To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html.
Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 3501 Fairfax Drive, E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226 (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). |
