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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Division of Supervision

550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20429

Electronic Financial Services and Consumer Compliance

FIL-79-98
July 16, 1998

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

SUBJECT:

Interagency Guidance on Electronic Financial Services and Consumer
Compliance

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The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has issued the attached
Guidance on Electronic Financial Services and Consumer Compliance. The guidance provides
federally insured depository institutions with information on federal consumer protection laws
and regulations, and their application to electronic financial service operations. It also seeks to
promote compliance with the relevant consumer protection laws and regulations.
The guidance contains two sections:




"Compliance Regulatory Environment," which summarizes relevant sections of the federal
consumer protection laws and regulations that address electronic financial services, and
includes interim compliance policy guidance with practical examples for applying existing
consumer laws and regulations; and
"The Role of Consumer Compliance in Developing and Implementing Electronic
Services," which discusses the importance of compliance officer involvement in the
design, development, implementation and monitoring of electronic banking operations.

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Financial institutions should understand that existing federal consumer laws and regulations
generally apply to advertisements, transactions and other services conducted electronically.
Management is responsible for monitoring its electronic banking operations to ensure they
comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies. Management should also take steps to
ensure that its institution's compliance program is modified to account for the type and level of
technology employed by the institution and changes in the regulations.
The attached interagency document is available on the Internet via the World Wide Web
at /news/news/financial/ or http://www.ffiec.gov. For more information, please contact your
Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs regional office.
Carmen J. Sullivan
Director

Attachment
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Institutions (Commercial and Savings)

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Note: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's
Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (800-2766003 or (703) 562-2200).