FR 2021-02782

Overview

Title

Notice of the FDIC's Response to Exception Requests Pursuant to Recordkeeping for Timely Deposit Insurance Determination

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The FDIC told some banks they could have extra time to fix and tidy up their accounts so they can quickly figure out insurance for people's money if the bank has problems, but they have to tell the FDIC how they're doing on this task.

Summary AI

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) granted temporary exceptions to certain banks from specific recordkeeping and information technology requirements. These exceptions are intended to help banks address challenges such as data cleanup, system updates, and assigning appropriate account codes needed to determine deposit insurance coverage quickly. These exceptions apply to various account types, including trust accounts and internal work-in-process accounts, and allow banks additional time to implement necessary changes. Banks must provide progress reports and ensure they can calculate deposit insurance accurately in case of failures, subject to ongoing FDIC review.

Abstract

In accordance with its rule regarding recordkeeping for timely deposit insurance determination, the FDIC is providing notice that it has granted time-limited exception relief to covered institutions from: The information technology system and recordkeeping requirements applicable to certain formal revocable and irrevocable trust accounts; the information technology system requirements, general recordkeeping requirements, and alternative recordkeeping requirements applicable to certain deposit accounts for which the covered institution must perform data clean up to assign an appropriate ownership right and capacity code to the subject accounts and related system updates; the information technology system requirements and general recordkeeping requirements to certain internal (work-in-process) deposit accounts for which the covered institution's information technology system is not yet capable of calculating deposit insurance within 24 hours after the appointment of the FDIC as receiver; and the information technology system requirements, general recordkeeping requirements, and alternative recordkeeping requirements for a limited number of deposit accounts held in the covered institution's trust department, which acts in an agency or fiduciary capacity.

Type: Notice
Citation: 86 FR 9068
Document #: 2021-02782
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 9068-9070

AnalysisAI

The document titled "Notice of the FDIC's Response to Exception Requests Pursuant to Recordkeeping for Timely Deposit Insurance Determination" announces that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has granted temporary exceptions to certain banks concerning specific recordkeeping and technological requirements. These exceptions are intended to give banks extra time to address various challenges linked to updating systems and cleaning up data for accurate deposit insurance calculations.

Summary of the Document

The FDIC outlines its decision to allow temporary relief for some banks facing difficulties meeting the requirements needed to ensure the accurate and timely determination of deposit insurance. These exceptions are applicable to several types of deposit accounts, such as formal trust accounts, internal work-in-process accounts, and accounts managed by a bank's trust department acting in a fiduciary capacity. The relief periods range from 12 to 18 months, providing banks with the necessary time to enhance their information systems and improve data accuracy. Importantly, banks receiving this relief are required to submit interim progress reports and will undergo continuous FDIC review to ensure compliance and accuracy in deposit insurance calculations.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Despite its intentions, the document employs complex technical and legal language, which might be challenging for people outside the banking or legal sectors to fully comprehend. Terms specific to deposit insurance and information technology systems could create barriers to understanding. Furthermore, the FDIC does not elaborate on the criteria used to grant these exceptions, potentially leading to uncertainty and questions about fairness and transparency in the decision-making process. Additionally, the document does not delve into measures or safeguards in place to ensure that these exceptions do not compromise the FDIC's ability to determine deposit insurance accurately and swiftly. The absence of a cost-benefit analysis concerning these exceptions might be perceived as overlooking potential financial or operational inefficiencies.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the FDIC's decision may initially seem like an internal regulatory matter. However, its ramifications could be significant. By granting exceptions that allow banks more time to improve their systems, the FDIC aims to eventually ensure that depositors' funds are safeguarded through quicker and more accurate insurance determinations. Nonetheless, any delay in reaching full compliance carries the risk of public unease regarding the safety and immediate availability of their deposits in times of bank failure.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Banks and Financial Institutions: These entities stand to benefit directly from the exceptions, as they are given additional time to complete necessary data cleanups and system upgrades. This could reduce operational pressures and allow banks to allocate resources effectively to meet regulatory standards without immediate fear of compliance penalties.

Custodians of Belief in Banking Stability: Individuals or institutions with fiduciary responsibilities may experience temporary uncertainty, depending on the banks' progression toward enhanced compliance. Provisions for oversight and reporting during the relief period seek to manage these concerns.

Regulatory Bodies and Watchdogs: Agencies assigned to enforce oversight may experience increased workloads to ensure banks adhere to the modified timelines and conditions of relief. The document does not clarify how exceptions might affect long-term regulatory strategies or resource allocation.

Overall, while exceptions granted by the FDIC aim to bolster banks' abilities to ensure accurate deposit insurance determinations eventually, the transitional phase poses communication challenges that necessitate transparent updates and clear safeguarding measures to maintain public trust and confidence in the banking sector.

Issues

  • • The document uses complex language and jargon that may be difficult for individuals without a technical or legal background to understand. This includes terminology specific to deposit insurance and information technology systems.

  • • The document does not provide specific details on the criteria for granting exceptions, which could lead to ambiguity regarding what qualifies an institution for relief.

  • • There is no clear indication of the measures or safeguards in place to ensure that exceptions do not compromise the FDIC's ability to determine deposit insurance accurately and timely.

  • • The document lacks a clear cost-benefit analysis of granting these exceptions, which could be considered as overlooking potential wasteful spending.

  • • Potential lack of transparency in how decisions are made regarding which institutions receive exceptions and the criteria used, which could be perceived as favoritism.

  • • The format and structure of the document could be improved for clarity, for example, by summarizing the main points or using bullet points for ease of reading.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 3
Words: 2,585
Sentences: 59
Entities: 121

Language

Nouns: 949
Verbs: 254
Adjectives: 157
Adverbs: 29
Numbers: 68

Complexity

Average Token Length:
5.38
Average Sentence Length:
43.81
Token Entropy:
5.41
Readability (ARI):
29.77

Reading Time

about 12 minutes