Over the past year, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve System, and the state regulatory agencies through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors have jointly developed, tested, and agreed upon an automated approach to collect loan data from financial institutions in an electronic format prior to safety and soundness examinations. Institution participation in the use of these automated systems is voluntary. However, these systems have reduced the time examiners spend on-site at financial institutions and facilitate a more risk-based examination process. 

Attached is a list of loan-related data elements commonly requested by examiners prior to an examination. The elements are used in the software programs developed by the agencies, and the list has been accepted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve System, and the state regulatory agencies through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. Also attached are the preferred technical specifications for providing this data. 

Please note that the federal and state regulatory agencies are not mandating submission of this electronic data, nor does this new examination process require that banks alter their existing electronic data processing systems. Financial institutions will have the option of electronically submitting loan data as part of the pre-examination request for information. The regulatory agencies understand that not all data elements will be available in the desired format from all banks. The software programs do not require that all of the data elements be provided in order to be functional. Therefore, banks are encouraged to provide whatever data elements are available. 

With this approach, the regulatory agencies are making efforts to streamline the examination process. As the regulatory agencies move forward with automated processes, the agencies plan to work with financial institutions, industry vendors, and servicers. The regulatory agencies also plan an outreach program later this year, whereby agency representatives will discuss additional technical information with data processing servicers and software vendors. 

While these systems and the data list are geared toward review of financial institutions' loan portfolios during safety and soundness examinations, federal and state regulatory agencies are also working together closely on similar programs to facilitate consumer compliance and CRA examinations. Separate lists of suggested data elements for these programs may be forthcoming. 

The federal and state regulatory agencies appreciate the cooperation of financial institutions in providing this loan-related data. Questions regarding these systems can be directed to the following persons:

Conference of State Bank Supervisors: Ken Granger, (317) 233-6340 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Cynthia A. Bonnette, (202) 898-6583 

Federal Reserve System: Gregory J. Bartnicki, (312) 322-4778 Alison M. Bailey, (312) 322-6368

G. Edward Leary 
Chairman of the Board 
Conference of State Bank Supervisors 

Nicholas J. Ketcha Jr. 
Director, Division of Supervision 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Richard Spillenkothen 
Director, Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation 
Federal Reserve Board

Distribution: State-Chartered Banks NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC’s Public Information Center, 801 17 th Street, N.W., Room 100, Washington, D.C. 20434 (800-276-6003 or 202-416-694