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skip navigation Ask a Question > Get answers from experts Home About the FFIEC Contact Us Site Index Disclaimer Privacy Policy Accessibility Press Releases Search Press Releases Enforcement Actions Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council What's New For Immediate Release Consumer Compliance Consumer Help Center Financial Institution Info Examiner Education Supervisory Info Cybersecurity Awareness Federal Register Freedom of Information Act EGRPRA (Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996) Industry Outreach December 12 , 2007 FFIEC RELEASES GUIDANCE ON PANDEMIC PLANNING Computational Tools Reports Press Release The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued guidance today for use by financial institutions in identifying the continuity planning that should be in place to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic. This guidance expands upon the contents of the Interagency Advisory on Influenza Pandemic Preparedness issued in March 2006. Pandemic planning presents unique challenges to financial institutions. Unlike most natural or technical disasters and malicious acts, the impact of a pandemic is much more difficult to determine because of the anticipated difference in scale and duration. As a result of these differences, no individual or organization is safe from the potential adverse effects of a pandemic event. Experts believe the most significant challenge may be the severe staffing shortages that will likely result from a pandemic outbreak. The FFIEC agencies believe the potentially significant effects a pandemic could have on an institution justify establishing plans to address how each institution will manage a pandemic event. Accordingly, an institution's business continuity plan should include: 1. A preventive program to reduce the likelihood an institution's operation will be significantly affected by a pandemic event; 2. A documented strategy that provides for scaling pandemic efforts commensurate with the particular stages of a pandemic outbreak; 3. A comprehensive framework of facilities, systems, or procedures to continue critical operations if large numbers of staff members are unavailable for prolonged periods; 4. A testing program to ensure the institution's pandemic planning practices and capabilities are effective and will allow critical operations to continue; and 5. An oversight program to ensure ongoing review and updates to the pandemic plan. The guidance is attached. Institutions should direct questions to their primary federal regulator. Media Contacts: OTS William Ruberry (202) 906-6677 FRB Susan Stawick (202) 452-2955 FDIC David Barr (202) 898-6992 NCUA Cherie Umbel (703) 518-6330 OCC Dean DeBuck (202) 874-5770 CSBS Mary White (202) 728-5715 The FFIEC was established in March 1979 to prescribe uniform principles, standards, and report forms and to promote uniformity in the supervision of financial institutions. The Council has six voting members: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the State Liaison Committee. The Council's activities are supported by interagency task forces and by an advisory State Liaison Committee, comprised of five representatives of state agencies that supervise financial institutions. Maintained by the FFIEC. For suggestions regarding this site, Contact Us. Last Modified: 04/15/2020 11:10 AM