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Financial Institution Letters

Effective 06/28/2004
69 Fed. Reg. 41479 (July 9, 2004)

Guidelines for Appeals of Deposit Insurance Assessment Determinations

A. Introduction

The Assessment Appeals Committee (“AAC”) was formed in 1999 and, pursuant to the direction of the FDIC Board of Directors, has been functioning as the appellate entity responsible for making final determinations pursuant to Part 327 of the FDIC’s regulations regarding the assessment risk classification and the assessment payment calculation of insured depository institutions. Institutions that dispute the computation of their quarterly assessment payments must comply with the time limits and other filing requirements set forth at 12 CFR 327.3(h). Generally, any such request may be made within 60 days of the quarterly assessment invoice for which a revision is requested, or within 60 days of the filing of an amendment to the institution’s quarterly report of condition. Institutions that dispute their risk classification must comply with the time limits and other filing requirements set forth at 12 CFR 327.4(d). Generally, an institution may request review of its assessment risk classification within 90 days from the date it receives notice of that classification by the FDIC. The AAC provides a process for considering all deposit insurance assessment appeals brought from determinations made by the appropriate FDIC divisions pursuant to those regulations. The procedures set forth in these guidelines apply to all appeals to the AAC.

B. AAC Membership

The following individuals comprise the five (5) voting member of the AAC, representing each member of the FDIC Board of Directors: (1) one inside FDIC Board member, either the Vice Chairperson or the Director (Appointive), as designated by the FDIC Chairperson (this person would serve as Chairperson of the AAC); (2) one of the deputies or special assistants to the FDIC Chairperson, to be designated by the FDIC Chairperson; (3) a deputy or special assistant to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s member on the FDIC’s Board of Directors; (4) a deputy or special assistant to the Office of Thrift Supervision’s member on the FDIC’s Board of Directors; and (5) a deputy or special assistant to either the Vice Chairperson or the inside Director (Appointive), whoever is not the AAC Chairperson. The General Counsel is a non-voting member of the AAC. The FDIC Chairperson may designate alternative member(s) for the AAC if vacancies occur. A member of the AAC may designate and authorize the most senior member of his or her staff within the substantive area of responsibility related to cases before the AAC to act on his or her behalf.

C. Institutions Eligible to Appeal

These guidelines apply to all depository institutions insured by the FDIC.

D. Determinations Subject to Appeal

The AAC, upon appeal by an insured depository institution, reviews determinations of the Director of the Division of Insurance and Research or the Director of the Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection made pursuant to the procedures set forth at 12 CFR 327.4(d) regarding the assessment risk classification assigned by the FDIC to the institution and renders a final determination. The AAC also, upon appeal by an insured depository institution, reviews determinations made pursuant to 12 CFR 327.3(h) by the Chief Financial Officer (or the Director of the Division of Finance, as designee) regarding the computation of the institution’s assessment payment and renders a final determination.

E. Appeal to the AAC

An institution that does not agree with the written determination rendered by the appropriate division director pursuant to 12 CFR 327.4(d) and 12 CFR 327.3(h) must appeal that determination to the AAC within 30 calendar days from the date of the determination. The division director’s determination will inform the institution of the 30-day time limit for filing with the AAC and will provide the mailing address for any appeal the institution may wish to file. Failure to file within the 30-day time period may result in denial of the appeal by the AAC.

If a division director determines that an institution is entitled to relief that the director lacks delegated authority to grant, the director may, with the approval of the Chairperson of the AAC, transfer the matter directly to the AAC without issuing a determination. Notice of such a transfer will be provided to the institution.

F. Filing with the AAC

An appeal to the AAC will be considered filed if the written appeal is received by the FDIC within 30 calendar days from the date of the division director’s written determination or if the written appeal is placed in the U.S. mail within that 30-day period. If the 30th day after the date of the division director’s written determination is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, filing may be made on the next business day. The appeal should be sent to the address indicated on the determination being appealed.

G. Contents of Appeal

The appeal should be labeled to indicate that it is an appeal to the AAC and should contain the name, address, and telephone number of the institution and any representative, as well as a copy of the determination being appealed. If oral presentation is sought, that request should be included in the appeal. Only matters previously reviewed at the division level, resulting in either a written determination or a direct referral to the AAC, may be appealed to the AAC. Evidence not presented for review at the division level may be submitted to the AAC only if authorized by the AAC Chairperson. The institution should set forth all of the reasons, legal and factual, why it disagrees with the determination. Nothing in the AAC administrative process shall create any discovery or other such rights.

H. Burden of Proof

The burden of proof as to all matters at issue in the appeal, including timeliness of the appeal if timeliness is at issue, rests with the institution.

I. Oral Presentation

The AAC may, in its discretion, whether or not a request is made, determine to allow an oral presentation. The AAC generally grants a request for oral presentation only if it determines that oral presentation is likely to be helpful or would otherwise be in the public interest. Notice of the AAC’s determination to grant or deny a request for oral presentation will be provided to the institution. If oral presentation is held, the institution will be allowed to present its position on the issues raised in the appeal and to respond to any questions from the AAC. The AAC may also require that FDIC staff participate as the AAC deems appropriate.

J. Dismissal and Withdrawal

An appeal may be dismissed by the AAC if it is not timely filed, if the legal or factual basis for the appeal is not discernable from the appeal, or if the institution moves to withdraw the appeal.

K. Scope of Review and Decision

The AAC will review all submissions concerning an appeal, review the final determination being appealed, consider any other matters it deems in its discretion to be appropriate, and issue a written decision within 60 days from the date the appeal is filed, or within 60 days from oral presentation, if held. The AAC may reconsider its decision only on a showing of an intervening change in the controlling law or the availability of material evidence not reasonably available when the decision was issued.

L. Publication of Decisions

AAC decisions will be published. Published AAC decisions will be redacted to avoid disclosure of exempt information. Published decisions of the AAC may be cited as precedent in appeals to the AAC.

M. AAC Guidelines Generally

Appeals to the AAC will be governed by these guidelines. The AAC will retain the discretion to waive any provision of the guidelines for good cause; the AAC may adopt supplemental rules governing AAC operations; the AAC may order that material be kept confidential; and the AAC may consolidate similar appeals.

N. Effect on Deposit Insurance Assessment Payments

The use of the procedures set forth in these guidelines by an insured institution will not affect, delay, or impede the obligation of that institution to make timely payment of any deposit insurance assessment.




Last Updated 10/13/2004 communications@fdic.gov

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