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Press Release
March 31, 2009

Board requests public comment on proposed
changes to the methodology for calculating the
private sector adjustment factor
For immediate release
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The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday requested public comment on
proposed changes to the methodology for calculating the imputed costs,
collectively known as the private sector adjustment factor (PSAF), that
are considered when setting fees and measuring cost recovery for
certain payment services provided to depository institutions (DIs). The
comment period ends on May 29, 2009.
Specifically, the Board requests comment on its proposal to replace the
current correspondent bank model underlying the PSAF calculation with
a model based on elements derived from publicly traded firms more
broadly. The Board is considering a new methodology because the
recent implementation of the payment of interest on DI required reserve
balances and excess balances held at Reserve Banks and the
subsequent reduction in clearing balances held at Reserve Banks have
changed the priced services balance sheet to more closely reflect
publicly traded firms more generally rather than correspondent banks.
Any change to the methodology could be effective as early as the 2010
pricing process.
The Monetary Control Act of 1980 requires the Federal Reserve to set
fees for the services it provides to depository institutions at a level
sufficient to recover, over the long run, the actual costs of providing
these services, as well as the imputed costs and profits. The PSAF is an

allowance for imputed costs, including financing costs, return on equity
capital, taxes, and certain other expenses that are not explicitly incurred
by the Reserve Banks but would be incurred by a private business firm
providing the services. The methodology underlying the PSAF is
reviewed periodically to ensure that it is appropriate and relevant in light
of changes that may have occurred in Reserve Bank priced-services
activities, accounting standards, finance theory, and regulatory and
business practices.
The Board's notice is attached.
Federal Register notice: 2 MB PDF | HTML  

Last Update: March 31, 2009

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