Overdraft Payment Programs and Consumer Protection FDIC Invites Comments on Overdraft Payment Supervisory Guidance

Highlights: The FDIC expects financial institutions’ boards of directors and management to ensure that the institution mitigates the risks associated with offering automated overdraft payment programs and complies with all consumer protection laws and regulations. Institutions are reminded to: 

• Provide clear and meaningful disclosures and other communications about overdraft payment programs, features and options; and
• Demonstrate compliance with new overdraft fee disclosure requirements and, upon the effective date, new regulations that mandate providing a notice and reasonable opportunity for customers to affirmatively choose fee-based overdraft coverage of ATM withdrawals and one-time point-of-sale debit card transactions.

In addition, the FDIC expects financial institutions to: 

• Promptly honor customers’ requests to decline coverage of overdrafts ( i.e. , opt out) resulting from non-electronic transactions;
• Give consumers the opportunity to affirmatively choose the overdraft payment product that overall best meets their needs;
• Monitor accounts and take meaningful and effective action to limit use by customers as a form of short-term, high-cost credit, including, for example, giving customers who overdraw their accounts on more than six occasions where a fee is charged in a rolling twelve-month period a reasonable opportunity to choose a less costly alternative and decide whether to continue with fee-based overdraft coverage;
• Institute appropriate daily limits on overdraft fees; and
• Not process transactions in a manner designed to maximize the cost to consumers.

Institutions using a third-party vendor for their overdraft payment programs must exercise careful oversight, as discussed in the FDIC's 2008 Guidance for Managing Third-Party Risk . The FDIC will take supervisory action where overdraft payment programs pose unacceptable safety and soundness or compliance management system risks or result in violations of laws or regulations, including unfair or deceptive acts or practices and fair lending laws.

Positive CRA consideration will continue to be provided for responsible transaction accounts, and affordable small-dollar loan programs or other lower cost credit alternatives, particularly for low- and moderate-income consumers. 

Distribution: 
FDIC-Supervised Institutions 

Suggested Routing: 
Chief Executive Officer 
Compliance Officer 
Chief Lending Officer 

Note: 
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2010/index.html 

To receive FILs electronically, visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html 

Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained via the FDIC's Public Information Center (1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200).