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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
12 CFR Parts 30 and 41
Docket No. 04-13
RIN 1557-AC84
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
12 CFR Parts 208, 211, 222, and 225
Docket No. R-1199
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
12 CFR Parts 334 and 364
RIN 3064-AC77
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of Thrift Supervision
12 CFR Parts 568, 570, and 571
No. 2004-56
RIN 1550-AB87

Proper Disposal of Consumer Information under the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003
AGENCIES: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury (OCC); Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC); and Office of Thrift Supervision, Treasury (OTS).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The OCC, Board, FDIC, and OTS (the Agencies) are adopting a final rule
to implement section 216 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 by
amending the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer
Information. The final rule generally requires each financial institution to develop,
implement, and maintain, as part of its existing information security program, appropriate
measures to properly dispose of consumer information derived from consumer reports to
address the risks associated with identity theft.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
OCC: Aida Plaza Carter, Director, Bank Information Technology, (202) 8744740; Amy Friend, Assistant Chief Counsel, (202) 874-5200; or Deborah Katz, Senior
Counsel, Legislative and Regulatory Activities Division, (202) 874-5090.
Board: Donna L. Parker, Supervisory Financial Analyst, Division of Supervision
& Regulation, (202) 452-2614; Joshua H. Kaplan, Attorney, Legal Division, (202) 4522249; Minh-Duc T. Le or Ky Tran-Trong, Senior Attorneys, Division of Consumer and
Community Affairs, (202) 452-3667.
FDIC: Jeffrey M. Kopchik, Senior Policy Analyst, Division of Supervision and
Consumer Protection, (202) 898-3872; Kathryn M. Weatherby, Examination Specialist,
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, (202) 898-6793; Robert A. Patrick,
Counsel, Legal Division, (202) 898-3757; Janet V. Norcom, Counsel, Legal Division,
(202) 898-8886.
OTS: Glenn Gimble, Senior Project Manager, Thrift Policy, (202) 906-7158;
Lewis C. Angel, Senior Project Manager, Technology Risk Management, (202) 9065645; Richard Bennett, Counsel (Banking and Finance), Regulations and Legislation
Division, (202) 906-7409.

2

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I.

Introduction

Section 216 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act
or the Act) adds a new section 628 to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), at
15 U.S.C. 1681w, that, in general, is designed to protect a consumer against the risks
associated with unauthorized access to information about the consumer contained in a
consumer report, such as fraud and related crimes including identity theft. Section 216 of
the Act requires each of the Agencies to adopt a regulation with respect to the entities that
are subject to its enforcement authority “requiring any person that maintains or otherwise
possesses consumer information, or any compilation of consumer information, derived
from consumer reports for a business purpose to properly dispose of any such
information or compilation.” Pub. L. 108-159, 117 Stat. 1985-86. The FACT Act
mandates that the Agencies ensure that their respective regulations are consistent with the
requirements issued pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act) (Pub. L. 106102), as well as other provisions of federal law.
On June 8, 2004, the Agencies published a proposal to amend the Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information (Guidelines)
to require financial institutions to implement controls designed to ensure the proper
disposal of “consumer information” within the meaning of section 216.1 A total of 68
comments on the proposal were submitted to the Agencies, some of which were
submitted to more than one of the Agencies. Most of these comments were submitted by
financial institutions and associations that represent them. A few comments were
submitted by trade associations from the information destruction industry.2
In general, commenters expressed support for the Agencies’ proposal because the
new requirements would allow financial institutions sufficient latitude to adopt controls
that suit their particular circumstances. Commenters offered revisions to several aspects
of the proposal, notably the definitions and compliance deadlines, and the Agencies have
considered each of these suggestions.
The Agencies also proposed to amend their respective regulations that implement
the FCRA by adding a new provision setting forth the duties of users of consumer reports
regarding identity theft. The proposed provision would require a financial institution to
properly dispose of consumer information in accordance with the standards set forth in
the Guidelines. The Agencies also proposed to amend their respective FCRA regulations
by incorporating a rule of construction, which generally provides that the duty to properly
dispose of consumer information shall not be construed to require a financial institution
1

69 FR 31913 (June 8, 2004). The Guidelines are codified at 12 CFR Parts 30, app. B (OCC); 208, app.
D-2 and 225, app. F (Board); 364, app. B (FDIC); 570, app. B (OTS). Citations to the Guidelines omit
references to titles and publications and give only the appropriate paragraph or section number.
2
Individual consumers and organizations representing consumers submitted comments on the proposed
rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which was substantively similar to the Agencies’
proposal. 69 FR 21388 (April 20, 2004); see http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/disposal/index.htm. The
Agencies have reviewed these and other comments submitted to the FTC in connection with this final rule.

3

to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer that is not imposed under any
other law or alter any requirement under any other law to maintain or destroy such a
record. This rule of construction closely tracks section 628(b) of the FCRA, as added by
section 216 of the FACT Act. In general, commenters supported the Agencies’ proposal
to amend their FCRA regulations and, in particular, urged the Agencies to retain the rule
of construction in the final rule.
In accordance with section 216 of the Act, the Agencies have consulted with the
FTC, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Securities and Exchange
Commission to ensure that, to the extent possible, the rules adopted by the respective
agencies are consistent and comparable.
II.

Background

On February 1, 2001, the Agencies issued the Guidelines pursuant to sections 501
and 505 of the GLB Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805).3 The Guidelines establish standards
relating to the development and implementation of administrative, technical, and physical
safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information.
The Guidelines apply to the financial institutions subject to the Agencies’ respective
jurisdictions. As mandated by section 501(b) of the GLB Act, the Guidelines require
each financial institution to develop a written information security program that is
designed to: (1) ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information;
(2) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such
information; and (3) protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information
that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.4 The Guidelines
direct financial institutions to assess the risks to their customer information and customer
information systems and, in turn, implement appropriate security measures to control
those risks.5 For example, under the risk-assessment framework currently imposed by the
Guidelines, each financial institution must evaluate whether the controls the institution
has developed sufficiently protect its customer information from unauthorized access,
misuse, or alteration when the institution disposes of the information.6
III.

Proper Disposal of Consumer Information and Customer Information

To implement section 216 of the FACT Act, the Agencies are adopting
amendments to the Guidelines7 that require each financial institution to develop and
maintain, as part of its information security program, appropriate controls designed to
ensure that the institution properly disposes of “consumer information.” The
amendments to the Guidelines generally require a financial institution to properly dispose
3

66 FR 8616 (Feb. 1, 2001).
Guidelines, II.B.
5
See generally, III.B. and III.C.
6
See 66 FR 8618. (“Under the final Guidelines, a financial institution’s responsibility to safeguard
customer information continues through the disposal process.”)
7
The Agencies are renaming the “Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding
Customer Information” to read “Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Information Security”
to make clear that the Guidelines encompass the disposal of consumer information.
4

4

of “consumer information” derived from a consumer report in a manner consistent with a
financial institution’s existing obligations under the Guidelines to properly dispose of
customer information. Although the Guidelines currently address an institution’s
obligations to properly dispose of customer information, the amendments now state this
obligation more directly and combine it with the new requirement to properly dispose of
consumer information.
The Agencies have incorporated this new requirement into the Guidelines by: (1)
adding a definition of “consumer information,” including illustrations of the information
covered by the new term; (2) adding an objective (in paragraph II) regarding the proper
disposal of customer information and consumer information; and (3) adding a provision
(in paragraph III) that requires a financial institution to implement appropriate measures
to properly dispose of customer information and consumer information in accordance
with each of the requirements in paragraph III.
The final rule requires each financial institution to implement the appropriate
measures to properly dispose of “consumer information” by July 1, 2005. The Agencies
believe that any changes to an institution’s existing information security program likely
will be minimal because many of the measures that an institution already uses to dispose
of “customer information” can be adapted to properly dispose of “consumer
information.” Nevertheless, a few of the comments noted that the proposed period for
compliance would be relatively short in light of the work required to locate and track all
“consumer information” in a financial institution’s existing information systems.
Accordingly, the Agencies have determined that financial institutions should be afforded
a six-month period to adjust their systems and controls.
A discussion of each proposed amendment to the Guidelines and the addition of
cross-references to the Guidelines in the Agencies’ FCRA regulations follows.
Consumer information
The proposal defined “consumer information” to mean “any record about an
individual, whether in paper, electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is
derived from a consumer report and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by or on
behalf of the [institution] for a business purpose.” “Consumer information” also was
defined to mean “a compilation of such records.”
Commenters generally supported the Agencies’ proposed definition of this term,
but argued that the Agencies should include statements or illustrations to clarify the
nature and scope of “consumer information.” Several commenters found the proposed
phrase “about an individual” to be ambiguous and urged the Agencies to adopt a
definition expressly stating that “consumer information” only includes information that
identifies a particular individual.
Similarly, some commenters supported the Agencies’ explanation in the proposal
that “consumer information” does not include information derived from a consumer

5

report that does not identify any particular consumer, such as the mean credit score
derived from a group of consumer reports. These commenters suggested that the
Agencies include this example (or similar examples) in the definition.
In the final rule, as in the proposed rule, the Agencies have continued to define
“consumer information” to mean “any record about an individual, whether in paper,
electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is derived from a consumer report
and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by or on behalf of the [institution] for a
business purpose.” In addition, the Agencies have continued to define “consumer
information” to mean “a compilation of such records,” as proposed.
The Agencies have modified the term “consumer information,” however, to
expressly exclude from the definition “any record that does not identify an individual.”
The Agencies believe that qualifying the term “consumer information” to cover only
personally identifiable information appropriately focuses on the information derived from
a consumer report that, if improperly disposed, could be used to commit fraud or identity
theft against a consumer. The Agencies believe that limiting “consumer information” to
information that identifies a consumer is consistent with the current law relating to the
scope of the term “consumer report” under the FCRA and the purposes of section 216 of
the FACT Act.
Under the final rule, a financial institution must implement measures to properly
dispose of “consumer information” that identifies a consumer, such as the consumer’s
name and the credit score derived from a consumer report. However, this requirement
does not apply to aggregate information, such as the mean credit score that is derived
from a group of consumer reports, or blind data, such as a series of credit scores that do
not identify the subjects of the consumer reports from which those scores are derived.
The Agencies have included examples of records that illustrate this aspect of the
Guidelines, but have not rigidly defined the nature and scope of personally identifiable
information. The Agencies note that there are a variety of types of information apart
from an individual’s name, account number, or address that, depending on the
circumstances or when used in combination, could identify the individual.
A few commenters argued that the term “consumer information” should exclude
non-sensitive information about a consumer, such as names and addresses that are
publicly available. These commenters urged the Agencies to limit “consumer
information” to information about an individual’s specific financial characteristics, such
as payment history or account numbers, or personal characteristics, such as driver’s
license information. In their view, only sensitive, non-public information should be
subject to the requirements of the rule because unauthorized access to or misuse of that
information poses the greatest threats of identity theft against consumers. The Agencies
believe that there is no basis to exclude certain classes of relatively non-sensitive
information from the scope of “consumer information” under section 216 of the Act.
Some commenters urged the Agencies to eliminate references to business-related
transactions in the discussion of the definition of “consumer information.” These

6

commenters argued that the FCRA defines a “consumer report” only with respect to
information used to determine a consumer’s eligibility for “credit or insurance to be used
primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.”8 Thus, these commenters
recommended that the Agencies remove references to business transactions that, in their
view, would be inconsistent with the scope of the FCRA. The Agencies note that the
FCRA defines a “consumer report” as encompassing a communication by a consumer
reporting agency of information about a consumer that, in general, is used as a factor in
establishing the consumer’s eligibility for “any other purpose authorized under section
604 [of the FCRA].” 9 Among other permissible purposes, a consumer reporting agency
lawfully may furnish a consumer report to a person which it has reason to believe
“otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information in connection with a
business transaction that is initiated by the consumer.”10 If used in whole or in part to
establish a consumer’s eligibility for a business transaction that is initiated by the
consumer, such as an application for a small business loan that is initiated by a sole
proprietor, then that information could be a consumer report. Accordingly, a financial
institution that maintains information derived from a consumer report for a business
purpose including a consumer report originally obtained in connection with a “business
transaction that is initiated by the consumer,” would be subject to the requirement to
properly dispose of such information, pursuant to section 216 of the FACT Act.
As discussed in the proposal, the Agencies note that the scope of information
covered by the terms “consumer information” and “customer information” will
sometimes overlap, but will not always coincide. The definition of “consumer
information” is drawn from the term “consumer” in section 603(c) of the FCRA, which
defines a “consumer” as an individual, without elaboration. 15 U.S.C. 1681a(c). By
contrast, “customer information” under the Guidelines, means nonpublic personal
information about a “customer,” namely, an individual who obtains a financial product or
service to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes and who has a
continuing relationship with the financial institution.11
The relationship between “consumer information” and “customer information”
can be illustrated through the following examples. Payment history information from a
consumer report about an individual, who is a financial institution’s customer, will be
both “consumer information” because it comes from a consumer report and “customer
information” because it is nonpublic personal information about a customer. In some
circumstances, “customer information” will be broader than “consumer information.”
For instance, information about a financial institution’s own transactions with its
customer is “customer information” but is not “consumer information” because it does
not come from a consumer report. In other circumstances, “consumer information” will
be broader than “customer information.” “Consumer information” includes information
from a consumer report that an institution obtains about an individual who applies for but
does not receive a loan, an individual who guarantees a loan (including a loan to a
8

15 U.S.C. 1681a(d)(1)(A).
15 U.S.C. 1681a(d)(1)(C).
10
15 U.S.C. 1681b(a)(3)(F)(i).
11
I.C.2.b.
9

7

business entity), an employee or a prospective employee, or an individual in connection
with a loan to the individual’s sole proprietorship. In each of these instances, the
consumer reports are not “customer information” because the information is not about a
“customer” within the meaning of the Guidelines.
The Agencies believe that the phrase “derived from consumer reports” covers all
of the information about a consumer that is taken from a consumer report, including
information that results in whole or in part from manipulation of information from a
consumer report or information from a consumer report that has been combined with
other types of information. Consequently, a financial institution that possesses any of
this information must properly dispose of it. For example, any record about a consumer
derived from a consumer report, such as the consumer’s name and credit score, that is
shared among affiliates must be disposed of properly by each affiliate that possesses that
information.12 Similarly, a consumer report that is shared among affiliated companies
after the consumer has been given a notice and has elected not to opt out of that sharing,
and therefore is no longer a “consumer report” under the FCRA,13 would still be
“consumer information.” Accordingly, an affiliate that receives “consumer information”
under these circumstances must properly dispose of the information.
A few commenters suggested that the Agencies modify this provision to limit the
obligation of a financial institution to properly dispose of consumer information only
when the institution knows that the information has been derived from a consumer report.
The Agencies believe that implementing such a limitation is unwarranted in light of the
general duty established in section 216 of the Act which applies to “any person that
maintains or otherwise possesses consumer information,” without regard to whether the
person actually knows that it possesses such information.
The Agencies note that the proposed definition of “consumer information”
includes the qualification “for a business purpose,” as set forth in section 216 of the Act.
The Agencies believe that the phrase “for a business purpose” encompasses any
commercial purpose for which a financial institution might maintain or possess
“consumer information.” Commenters did not raise concerns about this interpretation.
Some commenters urged the Agencies to define the term “disposal” to clarify
whether the sale, donation, or transfer of any medium containing “consumer information”
is covered by the requirements imposed under the Guidelines. A few other commenters,
however, disagreed with this suggestion and supported the Agencies’ proposal, which
was silent with respect to this particular term. The Agencies believe that there is no need
to adopt a definition of the term “disposal” because, in the context of the duty imposed
under section 216 of the FACT Act, the ordinary meaning of that term applies. The
12

An affiliate subject to the jurisdiction of the OCC, Board, FDIC, or OTS must properly dispose of
consumer information that it possesses or maintains in accordance with the agency’s rule. An affiliate
subject to the jurisdiction of the FTC or the SEC must properly dispose of consumer information that it
possesses or maintains in accordance with the FTC’s or SEC’s final rules, as applicable, which are
consistent and comparable to this final rule. Savings associations and savings association subsidiaries that
are not functionally regulated are subject to the OTS’s Guidelines.
13
15 U.S.C. 1681a(d)(2)(A)(iii).

8

Agencies note that any sale, lease, or other transfer of any medium containing “consumer
information” constitutes disposal of the information insofar as the information itself is not
the subject of the sale, lease, or other transfer between the parties. By contrast, the sale,
lease, or other transfer of consumer information from a financial institution to another
party (which may be subject to limitations imposed under other laws) can be
distinguished from the act of throwing out or getting rid of consumer information, and
accordingly, does not constitute “disposal” that is subject to the Agencies’ rule.
New Objective for an Information Security Program
The Agencies proposed to add a new objective regarding the proper disposal of
consumer information in paragraph II.B. of the Guidelines. A few commenters expressed
objections to this aspect of the proposal, mainly insofar as this provision relates to service
providers.
Under the final rule, a financial institution must design its information security
program to satisfy the general objective to “[e]nsure the proper disposal of customer
information and consumer information.” The added reference to “customer information”
more directly states an institution’s overall duties with respect to disposing of
information. However, because proper disposal of customer information already is part
of a financial institution’s obligation in designing and maintaining its information
security program under the Guidelines, the inclusion of “customer information” in the
objective does not impose a new requirement on an institution’s compliance with the
Guidelines.
The general objective to “[e]nsure the proper disposal of customer information
and consumer information” replaces the proposed provision that would require an
institution to develop controls “in a manner consistent with the disposal of customer
information.” The Agencies believe that setting forth the obligation in this manner more
directly states a financial institution’s obligation to develop and maintain risk-based
measures to dispose of both types of information properly and is consistent with the
Guidelines and the Act.
The Agencies continue to believe that imposing this additional objective in
paragraph II.B is important because this disposal requirement applies to a financial
institution’s “consumer information” maintained or otherwise in the possession of the
institution’s service providers. The Guidelines require, in part, that a financial institution
“[r]equire its service providers by contract to implement appropriate measures designed
to meet the objectives of these Guidelines.”14
By expressly incorporating a provision in paragraph II.B., each financial
institution must contractually require its service providers to develop appropriate
measures for the proper disposal of consumer information and, where warranted, to
monitor its service providers to confirm that they have satisfied their contractual
obligations. As several commenters observed, the particular contractual arrangements
14

III.D.2. This requirement applies to service providers located domestically and abroad.

9

that an institution may negotiate with a service provider may take varied forms or use
general terms. As a result, some institutions may have existing contracts that cover the
proper disposal of customer information and consumer information. The Agencies
continue to believe that the parties should be allowed substantial latitude in negotiating
the contractual terms appropriate to their arrangement in any manner that satisfies the
objectives of the Guidelines. Accordingly, the Agencies have not prescribed any
particular standards that relate to this contract requirement.
The Agencies have made a technical amendment to the definition of “service
provider” in paragraph I.C.2. to include a reference to “consumer information” in
addition to “customer information.” Thus the amended definition of service provider is
“any person or entity that maintains, processes, or otherwise is permitted access to
customer information or consumer information through its provision of services directly
to the bank.” Consistent with section 216 and the amendments to the Guidelines, a
financial institution’s obligation with respect to a service provider that has access to
consumer information is limited to ensuring that the service provider properly disposes of
consumer information.
The Agencies also have amended paragraph III.G.2. to allow a financial
institution a reasonable period of time, after the final regulations are issued, to amend its
contracts with its service providers to incorporate the necessary requirements in
connection with the proper disposal of consumer information. After reviewing the
comments on this provision of the proposal, which uniformly advocated a longer period
of time for modifying contracts with service providers if necessary, the Agencies have
determined that financial institutions must modify any affected contracts not later than
July 1, 2006.
New Provision to Implement Measures to Properly Dispose of Consumer Information
The Agencies have amended paragraph III.C. (Manage and Control Risk) of the
Guidelines by adding a new provision to require a financial institution to develop,
implement, and maintain, as part of its information security program, appropriate
measures to properly dispose of customer information and consumer information. Like
the provision described in the proposal, this new provision requires an institution to
implement these measures “in accordance with each of the requirements in this
paragraph III.” of the Guidelines.
Paragraph III. of the Guidelines presently requires a financial institution to
undertake measures to design, implement, and maintain its information security program
to protect customer information and customer information systems. Because “customer
information systems” is defined to include any methods used to dispose of customer
information, a financial institution presently must use risk-based measures to protect
customer information in the course of disposing of it. Building on this provision in the
Guidelines, the Agencies proposed a provision in paragraph III.C. that would require a
financial institution to develop controls “in a manner consistent with the disposal of
customer information.” Commenters generally supported this provision because a

10

financial institution would be permitted to develop and implement risk-based protections,
rather than adopt particular methods for disposing of consumer information that would
comply with a prescriptive standard.
Under the final rule, an institution must adopt procedures and controls to properly
dispose of “consumer information” and “customer information.” Instead of describing a
financial institution’s obligation to dispose of “consumer information” in relation to the
standard for “customer information” (which is currently set forth in discrete provisions of
the Guidelines), the Agencies have determined that the obligation should be stated
directly and generally. A provision that requires each financial institution to develop and
maintain risk-based measures to properly dispose of customer information and consumer
information more clearly states an institution’s responsibilities to properly dispose of
both classes of information and is consistent with the Guidelines and the Act.
Under this provision of the final rule, a financial institution must broaden the
scope of its risk assessment to include an assessment of the reasonably foreseeable
internal and external threats associated with the methods it uses to dispose of “consumer
information,” and adjust its risk assessment in light of the relevant changes relating to
such threats. By expressly adding this new provision, the Agencies are requiring a
financial institution to integrate into its information security program each of those riskbased measures in connection with the disposal of “consumer information,” as set forth in
paragraph III. of the Guidelines.
Some commenters urged the Agencies to adopt a detailed standard for the
destruction of information or criteria that define “proper” methods or levels of disposal,
rather than a provision that tracks the general obligation imposed under section 216 of the
FACT Act. Other commenters favored the approach set forth in the proposal and argued
that the general duty to “properly dispose of consumer information” is appropriately
suited to the varying circumstances that financial institutions confront.
After reviewing the comments, the Agencies continue to believe that it is not
necessary to propose a prescriptive rule describing proper methods of disposal.
Nonetheless, consistent with interagency guidance previously issued through the Federal
Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC),15 the Agencies expect institutions to
have appropriate disposal procedures for records maintained in paper-based or electronic
form. The Agencies note that an institution’s information security program should ensure
that paper records containing either customer or consumer information should be
rendered unreadable as indicated by the institution’s risk assessment, such as by
shredding or any other means. Institutions also should recognize that computer-based
records present unique disposal problems. Residual data frequently remains on media
after erasure. Since that data can be recovered, additional disposal techniques should be
applied to sensitive electronic data.16

15

See FFIEC Information Technology Examination Handbook, Information Security Booklet, page 63 at:
http://www.ffiec.gov/ffiecinfobase/booklets/information_security/information_security.pdf.
16
See id.

11

Proposed Amendments to the Agencies’ FCRA Regulations
As set forth in the proposal, the Agencies’ final rules create a cross-reference to
the Guidelines in their respective regulations that implement the FCRA17 by adding a
provision setting forth the duties of users of consumer reports regarding identity theft.
Commenters generally agreed with the Agencies’ proposal to create the cross-reference.
In particular, commenters supported the Agencies’ proposal to make explicit in the
regulations the rule of construction in the statute stating that the requirement pertaining to
proper disposal under the FCRA shall not be construed as requiring a person to maintain
or destroy a record containing consumer information and does not alter any requirement
imposed under other law to maintain or destroy such a record.
The new provision requires a financial institution to properly dispose of consumer
information in accordance with the standards set forth in the Guidelines. This provision
applies to an institution to the extent that the institution is covered by the scope of the
Guidelines.18 The provision also incorporates a rule of construction that closely tracks
the terms of section 628(b) of the FCRA, as added by section 216 of the FACT Act.19
IV.

Regulatory Analysis

Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320, including Appendix A.1, the Agencies
have reviewed the final rules and determined that they contain no collections of
information. The Board made this determination under authority delegated by the Office
of Management and Budget.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, each agency must publish a
final regulatory flexibility analysis with its final rule, unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
(5 U.S.C. 601-612). Each of the Agencies hereby certifies that its final rule does not have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The rules require a financial institution subject to the jurisdiction of the
appropriate agency to implement appropriate controls designed to ensure the proper
17

12 CFR part 41 (OCC); 12 CFR part 222 (Board); 12 CFR part 334 (FDIC); and 12 CFR part 571
(OTS). Several of the Agencies proposed establishing new parts to house their respective regulations
implementing the FCRA in a notice of proposed rulemaking titled “Fair Credit Reporting Medical
Information Regulations.” See 69 FR 23380 (April 28, 2004). As these regulations are not yet final, the
new parts are established in this final rule.
18
Bank holding companies will be subject to the FTC’s disposal rule (16 CFR Part 682) and functionally
regulated subsidiaries of financial institutions will be subject to the SEC’s disposal rule (17 CFR Part 248)
or the FTC’s disposal rule, as applicable.
19
The OTS is making additional conforming changes to its regulations at 12 CFR 568.1 and 568.5, as well.

12

disposal of “consumer information.” A financial institution must develop and maintain
these controls as part of implementing its existing information security program for
“customer information,” as required under the Guidelines.20
Any modifications to a financial institution’s information security program
needed to address the proper disposal of “consumer information” could be incorporated
through the process the institution presently uses to adjust its program under paragraph
III.E. of the Guidelines, particularly because of the similarities between customer
information and consumer information and the measures commonly used to properly
dispose of both types of information. To the extent that these rules impose new
requirements for certain types of “consumer information,” developing appropriate
measures to properly dispose of that information likely would require only a minor
modification of an institution’s existing information security program.
Because some “consumer information” will be “customer information” and
because segregating particular records for special treatment may entail considerable
costs, the Agencies believe that many banks and savings associations, including small
institutions, already are likely to have implemented measures to properly dispose of both
“customer” and “consumer” information. In addition, the Agencies, through the Federal
Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), already have issued guidance
regarding their expectations concerning the proper disposal of all of an institution’s paper
and electronic records. See FFIEC Information Technology Examination Handbook,
Information Security Booklet, December 2002, p. 63.21 Therefore, the rules do not
require any significant changes for institutions that currently have procedures and
systems designed to comply with this guidance.
The Agencies anticipate that, in light of current practices relating to the disposal
of information in accordance with the Guidelines and the guidance issued by the FFIEC,
the final rules will not impose undue costs on financial institutions. Therefore, the
Agencies believe that the controls that small financial institutions will develop and
implement, if any, to comply with the rules likely pose a minimal economic impact on
those entities.
FDIC – Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA)
(Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 857) provides generally for agencies to report rules to
Congress and for Congress to review these rules. The reporting requirement is triggered
in instances where the FDIC issues a final rule as defined by the Administrative
Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551, et seq.). Because the FDIC is issuing a final rule as
defined by the APA, the FDIC will file the reports required by SBREFA.
OCC and OTS Executive Order 12866 Determination
20

In 2001, the Agencies issued final Guidelines requiring financial institutions to develop and maintain an
information security program, including procedures to dispose of customer information, and each agency
provided a final regulatory flexibility analysis at that time. See 66 FR 8625-32 (Feb. 1, 2001).
21
See footnote 15, supra.

13

The OCC and OTS each have determined that this rule is not a “significant
regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866.
OCC and OTS Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 Determination
Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, Public Law
104-4 (2 U.S.C. 1532) (Unfunded Mandates Act), the OCC and OTS must prepare
budgetary impact statements before promulgating any rule likely to result in a federal
mandate that may result in the expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. If a
budgetary impact statement is required, under section 205 of the Unfunded Mandates
Act, the OCC and OTS must identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory
alternatives before promulgating a rule.
For the reasons outlined earlier, the OCC and OTS have determined that this
proposal will not result in expenditures by state, local, and tribal governments, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more, in any one year. Accordingly, a budgetary
impact statement is not required under section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act of 1995 and this rulemaking requires no further analysis under the Unfunded
Mandates Act.
List of Subjects
12 CFR Part 30
Banks, banking, Consumer protection, National banks, Privacy, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
12 CFR Part 41
Banks, banking, Consumer protection, National Banks, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
12 CFR Part 208
Banks, banking, Consumer protection, Information, Privacy, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
12 CFR Part 211
Exports, Foreign banking, Holding companies, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
12 CFR Part 222
Banks, banking, Holding companies, state member banks.

14

12 CFR Part 225
Banks, banking, Holding companies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
12 CFR Part 334
Administrative practice and procedure, Bank deposit insurance, Banks, banking,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety and Soundness.
12 CFR Part 364
Administrative practice and procedure, Bank deposit insurance, Banks, banking,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety and Soundness.
12 CFR Part 568
Consumer protection, Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Savings associations, Security measures.
12 CFR Part 570
Accounting, Administrative practice and procedure, Bank deposit insurance,
Consumer protection, Holding companies, Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Safety and soundness, Savings associations.
12 CFR Part 571
Consumer protection, Credit, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Privacy, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Savings associations.
Department of the Treasury
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
12 CFR CHAPTER I
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons discussed in the joint preamble, the Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency amends chapter V of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations by
amending 12 CFR part 30 and adding a new part 41 as follows:
PART 30 – SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS STANDARDS
1. The authority citation for part 30 is revised to read as follows:

15

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 93a, 1818, 1831-p and 3102(b); 15 U.S.C. 1681s, 1681w,
6801, and 6805(b)(1).
2. Appendix B to part 30 is amended by:
a. Revising the heading for Appendix B to part 30 entitled “Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer
Information” to read “Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information
Security Standards” wherever it appears in Title 12, Chapter 2, part 30;
b. Revising paragraph I. Introduction;
c. Revising paragraph I.A. by adding a new sentence at the end of the paragraph;
d. Redesignating paragraphs I.C.2.b. through e. as paragraphs I.C.2.d. through g.,
respectively;
e. Adding new paragraphs I.C.2.b. and c., and amending redesignated paragraph
g.;
f. Revising the heading for paragraph II. entitled “Standards for Safeguarding
Customer Information” to read “Standards for Information Security”;
g. Removing in paragraph II.B.2. the word “and” at the end of the sentence;
h. Removing in paragraph II.B.3. the period at the end of the sentence and
replacing it with “; and”;
i. Adding a new paragraph II.B.4.;
j. Adding a new paragraph III.C.4.; and
k. Adding new paragraphs III.G.3. and 4. to read as follows:
Appendix B to Part 30 – Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security
Standards
*****
I. Introduction
The Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards (Guidelines) set
forth standards pursuant to section 39 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (section 39,
codified at 12 U.S.C. 1831p-1), and sections 501 and 505(b), codified at 15 U.S.C. 6801
and 6805(b) of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act. These Guidelines address standards for
developing and implementing administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to
protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information. These
Guidelines also address standards with respect to the proper disposal of consumer
information, pursuant to sections 621 and 628 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681s and 1681w).
A. Scope. * * * The Guidelines also apply to the proper disposal of consumer
information by or on behalf of such entities.
*****

16

C. Definitions. * * *
2. * * *
b. Consumer information means any record about an individual, whether in paper,
electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is derived from a consumer
report and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by or on behalf of the bank for a
business purpose. Consumer information also means a compilation of such records.
The term does not include any record that does not identify an individual.
i. Examples. (1) Consumer information includes:
(A) A consumer report that a bank obtains;
(B) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains from its affiliate
after the consumer has been given a notice and has elected not to opt out of that sharing;
(C) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an individual
who applies for but does not receive a loan, including any loan sought by an individual
for a business purpose;
(D) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an individual
who guarantees a loan (including a loan to a business entity); or
(E) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an employee
or prospective employee.
(2) Consumer information does not include:
(A) Aggregate information, such as the mean credit score, derived from a group
of consumer reports; or
(B) Blind data, such as payment history on accounts that are not personally
identifiable, that may be used for developing credit scoring models or for other purposes.
c. Consumer report has the same meaning as set forth in the Fair Credit Reporting
Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(d).
*****
g. Service provider means any person or entity that maintains, processes, or
otherwise is permitted access to customer information or consumer information through
its provision of services directly to the bank.
*****
II. * * *
B. * * *
4. Ensure the proper disposal of customer information and consumer information.
III. * * *

17

C. * * *
4. Develop, implement, and maintain, as part of its information security program,
appropriate measures to properly dispose of customer information and consumer
information in accordance with each of the requirements of this paragraph III.
*****
G. Implement the Standards. * * *
3. Effective date for measures relating to the disposal of consumer information.
Each bank must satisfy these Guidelines with respect to the proper disposal of
consumer information by July 1, 2005.
4. Exception for existing agreements with service providers relating to the
disposal of consumer information. Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph
III.G.3., a bank’s contracts with its service providers that have access to consumer
information and that may dispose of consumer information, entered into before July
1, 2005, must comply with the provisions of the Guidelines relating to the proper
disposal of consumer information by July 1, 2006.
3. Add part 41 to read as follows:
PART 41 -- FAIR CREDIT REPORTING
Subpart A–General Provisions
Sec.
41.1 Purpose.
41.2 [Reserved]
41.3 Definitions.
Subparts B–H [Reserved]
Subpart I – Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
41.80-82 [Reserved]
41.83 Disposal of consumer information
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 24 (Seventh), 93a, 481, 484, and 1818; 15 U.S.C.
1681s, 1681w, 6801 and 6805.
Subpart A–General Provisions

18

§ 41.1 Purpose.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this part is to establish standards for national banks
regarding consumer report information. In addition, the purpose of this part is to specify
the extent to which national banks may obtain, use, or share certain information. This
part also contains a number of measures national banks must take to combat consumer
fraud and related crimes, including identity theft.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 41.2 [Reserved]
§ 41.3 Definitions.
As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a)–(d) [Reserved]
(e) Consumer means an individual.
(f)–(n) [Reserved]
Subparts B–H [Reserved]
Subpart I–Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
§ 41.80-82 [Reserved]
§ 41.83 Disposal of consumer information.
(a) Definitions as used in this section. (1) Bank means national banks, Federal
branches and agencies of foreign banks, and their respective operating subsidiaries.
(b) In general. Each bank must properly dispose of any consumer information
that it maintains or otherwise possesses in accordance with the Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Information Security Standards, as set forth in appendix B to 12 CFR part
30, to the extent that the bank is covered by the scope of the Guidelines.
(c) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
(1) Require a bank to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer
that is not imposed under any other law; or
(2) Alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.

19

[THIS SIGNATURE PAGE RELATES TO THE FINAL RULE ON THE “PROPER
DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER INFORMATION UNDER THE FAIR AND ACCURATE
CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT OF 2003.”]
Dated: December 16, 2004
Julie L. Willliams

(signed)

Julie L. Williams,
Acting Comptroller of the Currency.

20

Federal Reserve System
12 CFR Chapter II
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, parts 208, 211, 222, and 225 of
chapter II of title 12 of the Code of Federal regulations are amended as follows:
Part 208–MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H)
1. The authority citation for 12 CFR part 208 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 24, 36, 92a, 93a, 248(a), 248(c), 321-338a, 371d, 461, 481486, 601, 611, 1814, 1816, 1820(d)(9), 1823(j), 1828(o), 1831, 1831o, 1831p-1, 1831r-1,
1831w, 1831x, 1835a, 1882, 2901-2907, 3105, 3310, 3331-3351, and 3906-3909, 15
U.S.C. 78b, 78l(b), 78l(g), 78l(i), 78o-4(c)(5), 78q, 78q-1, 78w, 1681s, 1681w, 6801 and
6805; 31 U.S.C. 5318, 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106, and 4128.
2. In § 208.3 revise paragraph (d)(1) to read as follows:
§ 208.3 Application and conditions for membership in the Federal Reserve System.
*****
(d) Conditions of membership. (1) Safety and soundness. Each member bank
shall at all times conduct its business and exercise its powers with due regard to safety
and soundness. Each member bank shall comply with the Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness prescribed pursuant to section 39 of the
FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1831p-1), set forth in appendix D-1 to this part, and the Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards prescribed pursuant to sections
501 and 505 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805) and section 216
of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 1681w), set forth in
appendix D-2 to this part.
*****
3. Amend Appendix D-2 to part 208, as follows:
a. The heading for Appendix D-2 to Part 208 entitled “Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” is revised to read
“Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” wherever it
appears in Title 12, Chapter 2, Part 208;
b. In section I., Introduction, a new sentence is added at the end of the introductory
paragraph.
c. In section I.A., Scope, a new sentence is added at the end of the paragraph.

21

d. In section I.C.2., paragraphs b. through f. are redesignated as paragraphs 2.d. through
2.h., respectively, new paragraphs 2.b. and 2.c. are added and redesignated paragraph g.
is amended.
e. In paragraph II. the heading entitled “Standards for Safeguarding
Customer Information” is revised to read “Standards for Information Security”.
f. At the end of paragraph II.B.2. the word “and” is removed.
g. At the end of paragraph II.B.3 the period is removed and replaced with “; and”.
h. In section II.B. a new paragraph 4. is added.
i. In section III.C., Manage and Control Risk, a new paragraph 4. is added.
j. In section III.G., Implement the Standards, new paragraphs 3. and 4. are added.
Appendix D-2 to Part 208—INTERAGENCY GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING
INFORMATION SECURITY STANDARDS
*****
I. * * *
* * * These Guidelines also address standards with respect to the proper disposal of
consumer information, pursuant to sections 621 and 628 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(15 U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w).
A. Scope. * * * These Guidelines also apply to the proper disposal of consumer
information by or on behalf of such entities.
*****
C.***
2. * * *
b. Consumer information means any record about an individual, whether in paper,
electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is derived from a consumer report
and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by or on behalf of the bank for a business
purpose. Consumer information also means a compilation of such records. The term
does not include any record that does not identify an individual.
i. Examples. (1) Consumer information includes:
(A) A consumer report that a bank obtains;
(B) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains from its affiliate
after the consumer has been given a notice and has elected not to opt out of that sharing;
(C) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an
individual who applies for but does not receive a loan, including any loan sought by an
individual for a business purpose;

22

(D) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an
individual who guarantees a loan (including a loan to a business entity); or
(E) Information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an employee
or prospective employee.
(2) Consumer information does not include:
(A) Aggregate information, such as the mean credit score, derived from a group
of consumer reports; or
(B) Blind data, such as payment history on accounts that are not personally
identifiable, that may be used for developing credit scoring models or for other purposes.
c. Consumer report has the same meaning as set forth in the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(d).
*****
g. Service provider means any person or entity that maintains, processes, or
otherwise is permitted access to customer information or consumer information through
its provision of services directly to the bank.
*****
II.* * *
B.* * *
4. Ensure the proper disposal of customer information and consumer information.
*****
III.* * *
C.* * *
4.
Develop, implement, and maintain, as part of its information security
program, appropriate measures to properly dispose of customer information and
consumer information in accordance with each of the requirements in this paragraph III.
*****
G.***
3. Effective date for measures relating to the disposal of consumer information.
Each bank must satisfy these Guidelines with respect to the proper disposal of consumer
information by July 1, 2005.

23

4. Exception for existing agreements with service providers relating to the
disposal of consumer information. Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph
III.G.3., a bank’s contracts with its service providers that have access to consumer
information and that may dispose of consumer information, entered into before July 1,
2005, must comply with the provisions of the Guidelines relating to the proper disposal
of consumer information by July 1, 2006.
Part 211–INTERNATIONAL BANKING OPERATIONS (REGULATION K)
4. The authority citation for part 211 is revised to read as follows:
5.
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 221 et seq., 1818, 1835a, 1841 et seq., 3101 et seq., and
3901 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 1681s, 1681w, 6801 and 6805.
6. In § 211.5, revise paragraph (l) to read as follows:
7.
§ 211.5 Edge and agreement corporations.
*****
(l) Protection of customer information and consumer information. An Edge or
agreement corporation shall comply with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing
Information Security Standards prescribed pursuant to sections 501 and 505 of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805) and, with respect to the proper
disposal of consumer information, section 216 of the Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 1681w), set forth in appendix D-2 to part 208 of this
chapter.
*****
6. In § 211.24, revise paragraph (i) to read as follows:
§ 211.24 Approval of offices of foreign banks; procedures for applications;
standards for approval; representative-office activities and standards for approval;
preservation of existing authority.
*****
(i) Protection of customer information and consumer information. An uninsured
state-licensed branch or agency of a foreign bank shall comply with the Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards prescribed pursuant to sections
501 and 505 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805) and, with
respect to the proper disposal of consumer information, section 216 of the Fair and
Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 1681w), set forth in appendix D-2
to part 208 of this chapter.

24

*****
PART 222–FAIR CREDIT REPORTING (REGULATION V)
7. The authority citation for part 222 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1681, 1681b, 1681s, 1681s-2, and 1681w.
8. In section 222.1(b)(2)(i) remove the phrase “paragraph (b)(2)” and add in its place the
word “part”.
9. Add a new subpart I to read as follows:
Subparts B–H [Reserved]
Subpart I–Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
§ 222.80-82 [Reserved]
§ 222.83 Disposal of consumer information.
(a) Definitions as used in this section. (1) You means member banks of the
Federal Reserve System (other than national banks) and their respective operating
subsidiaries, branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches,
Federal agencies and insured State branches of foreign banks), commercial lending
companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under
section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 611 et seq.).
(b) In general. You must properly dispose of any consumer information that you
maintain or otherwise possess in accordance with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing
Information Security Standards, as required under sections 208.3(d) (Regulation H),
211.5(l) and 211.24(i) (Regulation K) of this chapter, to the extent that you are covered
by the scope of the Guidelines.
(c) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
(1) Require you to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer that is
not imposed under any other law; or
(2) Alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.
PART 225–BANK HOLDING COMPANIES AND CHANGE IN BANK
CONTROL (Regulation Y)
10. In section 225.4, revise paragraph (h) to read as follows:

25

§ 225.4 Corporate practices.
*****
(h) Protection of customer information and consumer information. A bank
holding company shall comply with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information
Security Standards, as set forth in appendix F of this part, prescribed pursuant to sections
501 and 505 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805). A bank
holding company shall properly dispose of consumer information in accordance with the
rules set forth at 16 CFR Part 682.
*****
11. Amend Appendix F to part 225, as follows:
a. The heading for Appendix F to Part 225 entitled “Interagency Guidelines Establishing
Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” is revised to read “Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” wherever it appears in Title 12,
Chapter 2, Part 225.

26

[THIS SIGNATURE PAGE RELATES TO THE FINAL RULE ON THE “PROPER
DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER INFORMATION UNDER THE FAIR AND ACCURATE
CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT OF 2003.”]
By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, December 16, 2004.

Jennifer J. Johnson
Jennifer J. Johnson
Secretary of the Board

(signed)

27

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
12 CFR CHAPTER III
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation amends parts 334 and 364 of chapter III of title 12 of the Code of Federal
Regulations to read as follows:
PART 334–FAIR CREDIT REPORTING
Subparts A – H [Reserved]
1. The authority citation for part 334 will read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1818 and 1819 (Tenth); 15 U.S.C. 1681b, 1681s, and
1681w.
*****
2. Add a new subpart I to read as follows:
Subpart I–Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
Sec.
334.80-334.82 [Reserved]
334.83 Disposal of consumer information
*****
Subpart I– Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
§ 334.80-334.82 [Reserved]
§ 334.83 Disposal of consumer information. (a) In general. You must properly
dispose of any consumer information that you maintain or otherwise possess in
accordance with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards,
as set forth in appendix B to part 364 of this chapter, prescribed pursuant to section 216
of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 1681w) and section
501(b) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801(b)), to the extent the Guidelines
are applicable to you.
(b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

28

(1) Require you to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer that is not
imposed under any other law; or
(2) Alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.
* * * * *

PART 364- STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS
3. The authority citation for part 364 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1819(Tenth), 1831p-1; 15 U.S.C. 1681s, 1681w, 6801(b),
6805(b)(1).
4. Revise § 364.101(b) to read as follows:
§ 364.101 Standards for safety and soundness.
*****
(b) Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards. The Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards prescribed pursuant to section 39
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831p-1), and sections 501 and 505(b)
of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801, 6805(b)), and with respect to the
proper disposal of consumer information requirements pursuant to section 628 of the Fair
Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681w), as set forth in appendix B to this part, apply to
all insured state nonmember banks, insured state licensed branches of foreign banks, and
any subsidiaries of such entities (except brokers, dealers, persons providing insurance,
investment companies, and investment advisers).
5. In Appendix B to part 364, the following amendments are made:
a. The heading for Appendix B to part 364 entitled “Interagency Guidelines Establishing
Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” is revised to read “Interagency
Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” wherever it appears in Title 12,
Chapter 2, part 364.
b. In the Introduction, the first sentence is revised and a new sentence is added at the end
of the introductory paragraph.
c. In section I.A., Scope, the first sentence is revised.
d. In section I.C.2., Definitions, paragraphs 2.b. through 2.e. are redesignated as
paragraphs 2.d. through 2.g., respectively, new paragraphs 2.b. and 2.c. are added and
redesignated paragraph g. is amended.
e. In paragraph II. the heading entitled “Standards for Safeguarding
Customer Information” is revised to read “Standards for Information Security”.
f. At the end of paragraph II.B.2. the word “and” is removed.
g. At the end of paragraph II.B.3 the period is removed and replaced with “; and”.
h. In section II.B. a new paragraph 4. is added.
29

i. In section III.C., Manage and Control Risk, a new paragraph 4. is added.
j. In section III.G, Implement the Standards, new paragraphs 3. and 4. are added.
Appendix B to Part 364-INTERAGENCY GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING
INFORMATION SECURITY STANDARDS
*****
I. Introduction
The Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards (Guidelines) set
forth standards pursuant to section 39 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
1831p-1, and sections 501 and 505(b), 15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b), of the GrammLeach-Bliley Act.* * * These Guidelines also address standards with respect to the
proper disposal of consumer information pursuant to sections 621 and 628 of the Fair
Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w).
A. Scope. The Guidelines apply to customer information maintained by or on behalf of,
and to the disposal of consumer information by or on behalf of, entities over which the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has authority. * * *
*****
I. * * *
C.* * *
2. * * *
b. Consumer information means any record about an individual, whether in
paper, electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is derived from a consumer
report and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by or on behalf of the bank for a
business purpose. Consumer information also means a compilation of such records. The
term does not include any record that does not personally identify an individual.
i. Examples: (1) Consumer information includes:
(A) a consumer report that a bank obtains;
(B) information from a consumer report that the bank obtains from its affiliate
after the consumer has been given a notice and has elected not to opt out of that sharing;
(C) information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an individual
who applies for but does not receive a loan, including any loan sought by an individual
for a business purpose;
(D) information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an individual
who guarantees a loan (including a loan to a business entity); or

30

(E) information from a consumer report that the bank obtains about an employee
or prospective employee.
(2) Consumer information does not include:
(A) aggregate information, such as the mean score, derived from a group of
consumer reports; or
(B) blind data, such as payment history on accounts that are not personally
identifiable, that may be used for developing credit scoring models or for other purposes.
c. Consumer report has the same meaning as set forth in the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(d).
*****
g. Service provider means any person or entity that maintains, processes, or
otherwise is permitted access to customer information or consumer information through
its provision of services directly to the bank.
*****
II.* * *
B. Objectives. * * *
4. Ensure the proper disposal of customer information and consumer information.
III.* * *
C. * * *
4.
Develop, implement, and maintain, as part of its information security program,
appropriate measures to properly dispose of customer information and consumer
information in accordance with each of the requirements of this paragraph III.
III. * * *
G. * * *
3. Effective date for measures relating to the disposal of consumer information. Each
bank must satisfy these Guidelines with respect to the proper disposal of consumer
information by July 1, 2005.
4. Exception for existing agreements with service providers relating to the disposal of
consumer information. Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph III.G.3., a

31

bank’s contracts with its service providers that have access to consumer information
and that may dispose of consumer information, entered into before July 1, 2005, must
comply with the provisions of the Guidelines relating to the proper disposal of
consumer information by July 1, 2006.

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[THIS SIGNATURE PAGE RELATES TO THE FINAL RULE ON THE “PROPER
DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER INFORMATION UNDER THE FAIR AND ACCURATE
CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT OF 2003.”]
By order of the Board of Directors.
Dated at Washington, D.C., this 7th day of December, 2004.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Robert E. Feldman

(signed)

Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary

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Office of Thrift Supervision
12 CFR Chapter V
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons set forth in the joint preamble, the Office of Thrift Supervision
amends chapter V of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations by amending parts 568
and 570 and adding a new part 571 as follows:
PART 568--SECURITY PROCEDURES
1. The authority citation for part 568 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828, 1831p-1, 1881-1884; 15
U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b)(1).
2. Revise the part heading for part 568 to read as shown above.
3. Revise the first sentence of § 568.1(a) to read as follows:
§ 568.1 Authority, purpose, and scope.
(a) This part is issued by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) under section 3
of the Bank Protection Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C 1882), sections 501 and 505(b)(1) of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b)(1)), and sections 621 and 628 of
the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w). * * *
* * * * *

34

4. Revise § 568.5 to read as follows:
§ 568.5 Protection of customer information.
Savings associations and their subsidiaries (except brokers, dealers, persons
providing insurance, investment companies, and investment advisers) must comply with
the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards set forth in
appendix B to part 570 of this chapter.
PART 570—SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS GUIDELINES AND COMPLIANCE
PROCEDURES
5. In the Index for part 570, the heading for Appendix B is revised by removing
“Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information”,
as revised by OTS’s Technical Amendments Final Rule published in December 2004,
and inserting “Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” in its
place.
6. The authority citation for part 570 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828, 1831p-1, 1881-1884; 15
U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b)(1).
7. Amend § 570.1(b) by removing the phrase “Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” and adding the phrase
“Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” in its place.
8. Amend § 570.1(c) by removing the phrase “Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information”, as revised by OTS’s
Technical Amendments Final Rule published in December 2004, and adding the phrase
“Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” in its place.
9. Amend § 570.2(a) by removing the phrase “Interagency Guidelines
Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” and adding the phrase
“Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards” in its place.
10. Amend Appendix B to part 570 by:
a. Revising the heading;
b. Revising the introductory paragraph of section I. Introduction;
c. Adding a new sentence to the end of paragraph I.A. Scope;
d. Redesignating paragraphs 2.a. through 2.d. of paragraph I.C.2. Definitions as
paragraphs 2.c. through 2.f., respectively, adding new paragraphs 2.a. and 2.b., and
amending redesignated paragraph f.;
e. Revising the heading for section II.;
f. Removing the word “and” at the end of paragraph II.B.2.;

35

g. Removing the period at the end of paragraph II.B.3 and replacing it with “;
and”;
h. Adding a new paragraph II.B.4.;
i. Adding a new paragraph 4. to paragraph III.C. Manage and Control Risk; and
j. Adding new paragraphs 3. and 4. to paragraph III.G. Implement the Standards.
APPENDIX B TO PART 570 – INTERAGENCY GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING INFORMATION
SECURITY STANDARDS
* * * * *
I. Introduction
The Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards
(Guidelines) set forth standards pursuant to section 39(a) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831p-1), and sections 501 and 505(b) of the Gramm-LeachBliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b)). These Guidelines address standards for
developing and implementing administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to
protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information. These
Guidelines also address standards with respect to the proper disposal of consumer
information, pursuant to sections 621 and 628 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(15 U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w).
A. Scope. * * * These Guidelines also apply to the proper disposal of consumer
information by or on behalf of such entities.
* * * * *
C. Definitions. * * *
2. * * *
a. Consumer information means any record about an individual, whether in paper,
electronic, or other form, that is a consumer report or is derived from a consumer report
and that is maintained or otherwise possessed by you or on your behalf for a business
purpose. Consumer information also means a compilation of such records. The term
does not include any record that does not identify an individual.
i. Examples. (1) Consumer information includes:
(A) A consumer report that a savings association obtains;
(B) Information from a consumer report that you obtain from your affiliate after
the consumer has been given a notice and has elected not to opt out of that sharing;
(C) Information from a consumer report that you obtain about an individual who
applies for but does not receive a loan, including any loan sought by an individual for a
business purpose;

36

(D) Information from a consumer report that you obtain about an individual who
guarantees a loan (including a loan to a business entity); or
(E) Information from a consumer report that you obtain about an employee or
prospective employee.
(2) Consumer information does not include:
(A) Aggregate information, such as the mean credit score, derived from a group
of consumer reports; or
(B) Blind data, such as payment history on accounts that are not personally
identifiable, that may be used for developing credit scoring models or for other purposes.
b. Consumer report has the same meaning as set forth in the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(d).
* * * * *
f. Service provider means any person or entity that maintains, processes, or
otherwise is permitted access to customer information or consumer information, through
its provision of services directly to you.
II. Standards for Information Security * * *
B. Objectives. * * *
4. Ensure the proper disposal of customer information and consumer information.
III. * * *
C. Manage and Control Risk. * * *
4. Develop, implement, and maintain, as part of your information security
program, appropriate measures to properly dispose of customer information and
consumer information in accordance with each of the requirements in this paragraph III.
* * * * *
G. Implement the Standards. * * *
3. Effective date for measures relating to the disposal of consumer information.
You must satisfy these Guidelines with respect to the proper disposal of consumer
information by July 1, 2005.
4. Exception for existing agreements with service providers relating to the
disposal of consumer information. Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph
III.G.3., your contracts with service providers that have access to consumer information

37

and that may dispose of consumer information, entered into before July 1, 2005, must
comply with the provisions of the Guidelines relating to the proper disposal of consumer
information by July 1, 2006.
11. Add a new part 571 to read as follows:
PART 571–FAIR CREDIT REPORTING
Subpart A–General Provisions
Sec.
571.1 Purpose, scope, and effective dates.
571.2 [Reserved]
571.3 Definitions.
Subparts B–H [Reserved]
Subpart I–Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
571.80-82 [Reserved]
571.83 Disposal of consumer information.
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1462a, 1463, 1464, 1467a, 1828, 1831p-1, 1881-1884; 15
U.S.C. 1681s and 1681w; 15 U.S.C. 6801 and 6805(b)(1).
Subpart A–General Provisions
§ 571.1 Purpose and scope.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this part is to establish standards regarding consumer
report information. In addition, the purpose of this part is to specify the extent to which
you may obtain, use, or share certain information. This part also contains a number of
measures you must take to combat consumer fraud and related crimes, including identity
theft.
(b) Scope.
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Institutions covered. (i) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b)(2),
this part applies to savings associations whose deposits are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (and federal savings association operating subsidiaries in
accordance with § 559.3(h)(1) of this chapter).
(ii) [Reserved]

38

(iii) [Reserved]
§ 571.2 [Reserved]
§ 571.3 Definitions.
As used in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a)–(d) [Reserved]
(e) Consumer means an individual.
(f)–(n) [Reserved]
(o) You means savings associations whose deposits are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation and federal savings association operating subsidiaries.
Subparts B–H [Reserved]
Subpart I–Duties of Users of Consumer Reports Regarding Identity Theft
§ 571.80-82 [Reserved]
§ 571.83 Disposal of consumer information.
(a) In general. You must properly dispose of any consumer information that you
maintain or otherwise possess in accordance with the Interagency Guidelines Establishing
Information Security Standards, as set forth in appendix B to part 570, to the extent that
you are covered by the scope of the Guidelines.
(b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
(1) Require you to maintain or destroy any record pertaining to a consumer that is
not imposed under any other law; or
(2) Alter or affect any requirement imposed under any other provision of law to
maintain or destroy such a record.

39

[THIS SIGNATURE PAGE RELATES TO THE FINAL RULE ON THE “PROPER
DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER INFORMATION UNDER THE FAIR AND ACCURATE
CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT OF 2003.”]
Dated: November 30, 2004
By the Office of Thrift Supervision,
James E. Gilleran (signed)
James E. Gilleran,
Director

40