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7/25/24, 11:31 AM

FRB: Press Release--Publication of amendments addressing electronic check conversion transactions and coverage of payroll car…

Release Date: December 30, 2005

For immediate release
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced final amendments to Regulation E
(Electronic Fund Transfer Act) that clarify the responsibilities of parties involved in
electronic check conversion transactions and require that consumers receive written
notification in advance of these transactions. Additional revisions to the regulation's official
staff commentary provide guidance on preauthorized transfers from consumers' accounts,
error resolution, and disclosures at automated teller machines (ATMs).
In a separate action, the Board also amended Regulation E so that it covers payroll card
accounts.
Among other things, the final rule announced today provides that merchants and other
payees that convert payments by check into electronic fund transfers must provide a notice
to consumers to obtain consumer authorization for the electronic fund transfer. Merchants
and other payees must also notify consumers that if a check is converted, funds may be
debited from consumers' accounts as soon as the same day that payment is received, and the
check will not be returned by their financial institution.
The final rule also revises the regulation's official staff commentary to clarify the error
resolution obligations of financial institutions and to clarify the disclosure obligations of
ATM operators with respect to fees imposed by the ATM operator on a consumer for
initiating an electronic fund transfer or for a balance inquiry at an ATM.
The final rule addressing electronic check conversion and other matters will take effect
thirty days after the date of publication in the Federal Register, which is expected soon. The
mandatory compliance date is January 1, 2007.
In addition to the final rule on electronic check conversion services, the Board is adopting a
separate interim final rule on payroll card accounts to provide that payroll card accounts
established for the purpose of providing salary, wages, or other employee compensation on a
recurring basis are accounts covered by Regulation E. The interim final rule grants
flexibility to financial institutions that must provide account transaction information to
payroll card users.
The amendments to address payroll cards are being issued as interim final rules so that
interested parties may comment on the new requirements. The Board requests comment
within sixty days after publication in the Federal Register.
Both Federal Register notices are attached.
Final rule, electronic check conversion transactions (208 KB PDF)
Interim final rule, payroll card accounts (101 KB PDF)

https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20051230/default.htm

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7/25/24, 11:31 AM

FRB: Press Release--Publication of amendments addressing electronic check conversion transactions and coverage of payroll car…

2005 Banking and consumer regulatory policy
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Last update: December 30, 2005

https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20051230/default.htm

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