Mission Statement

The FDIC’s Office of International Affairs serves as a central point of contact for requests from foreign banking authorities for international assistance. The Office coordinates requests from foreign authorities, such as foreign deposit insurers, bank supervisors and resolution authorities, for FDIC subject matter experts to address global financial issues of importance to the deposit insurance system and the banking public.

The International Program Consists of the Following Major Areas:

• Technical Assistance Program is designed to provide on-site training, expert consultation, and examination and resolutions assistance to foreign bank supervisory authorities, deposit insurers, foreign central banks, and other foreign government agencies to enhance the development of foreign banking systems, bank supervisory framework, deposit insurance system, and to promote the exchange of information between the U.S. and other countries. Technical assistance is defined as work that is done for the benefit of a foreign country or group of countries that requires participation by FDIC staff in that country. Sponsoring organizations and entities are the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Department of the Treasury, the State Department, the Financial Services Volunteer Corps, and USAID.
• Foreign Visitor and Secondment Program is designed for officials from foreign banking authorities seeking information about the U.S. banking system and the FDIC in order to develop and educate their staff and to exchange information. The duration of the foreign visits can range from a few hours to several days. A key aspect of the Program includes pre-planning with the foreign official to clarify the nature of the visit, develop an agenda with the appropriate FDIC subject matter experts and to provide the administrative assistance for a productive meeting. The FDIC has hosted visitors from around the world.

  The Program also includes secondments. A secondment is established with a sponsoring organization, such as a central bank or deposit insurance agency entering into a memorandum of understanding with the FDIC. The secondee is not an employee of the FDIC during their internship. The secondee establishes an individual development plan which identifies key learning objectives to be addressed during the secondment and is critical to the individual's primary duties in their home country. The secondee provides a written report of their experience to the FDIC upon the completion of their assignment.

• Foreign Examiner Training Program has been developed to provide appropriate, constructive assistance and technical training to foreign banking authorities that are committed to developing and maintaining a highly skilled examiner work force. Under this program, officials from foreign central banks and supervisory authorities may participate in specific FDIC examiner training schools held at the FDIC’s facilities near Washington D.C..
• International Leadership Development Program fosters improved relationships with international financial associations in providing leadership and guidance in the global banking, deposit insurance and financial services area. This involves providing technical assistance and administrative support, assuming leadership positions in international financial associations and both attending and conducting international conferences on emerging issues. This program includes the FDIC’s strategic associations such as the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) (iadi.org/en/) and Association of Supervisors of Banks of the Americas (ASBA) (www.asbaweb.org).

If you have questions about any of the areas described above, please contact InternationalAffairs@fdic.gov.