Summary:

The FDIC is seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders regarding potential modernization of the official sign and advertising rules (12 C.F.R. Part 328) to reflect changes in deposit-taking via physical branch, digital, and mobile banking channels. The FDIC last significantly updated the rules in 2006.

Statement of Applicability: This Financial Institution Letter applies to all FDIC-supervised financial institutions.

Highlights:

• On February 26, 2020, the FDIC published a notice in the Federal Register (85 FR 10997) seeking input regarding potential modernization of its official sign and advertising rules.
• In light of the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDIC announced on April 16, 2020, that it was temporarily postponing its efforts to modify its official sign and advertising requirements.
• As banks continue to innovate and bank business models evolve, and as digital transformation continues to accelerate, the FDIC is renewing its effort to consider how to revise and clarify its official sign and advertising rules related to FDIC deposit insurance.
• The FDIC also requests information about how technological or other solutions could be leveraged to help consumers better distinguish FDIC-insured banks from entities that are not insured by the FDIC (nonbanks), particularly across web and digital channels.
• The FDIC encourages comments from all interested parties.  The comment period closes on May 24^th .

Suggested Distribution:

FDIC-Supervised Institutions

Suggested Routing:

Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Financial Officer 
Chief Information Officer 
Chief Information Security Officer