The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today issued the Winter 2018 issue of Supervisory Insights , which includes an article examining the future of, and alternatives to, the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR).

LIBOR is a popular reference rate for commercial loans, residential mortgages, derivatives and swaps, and other credit instruments. While LIBOR often is viewed as a reference rate used by larger financial institutions, it is also important to smaller community banks and savings institutions. Initiatives are underway that could transition financial markets away from the use of LIBOR as a reference rate after 2021.

"The FDIC recognizes that the potential move away from or reduced use of LIBOR may result in some adjustments for financial institutions that have the rate embedded in contracts," said Doreen R. Eberley, Director, FDIC Division of Risk Management Supervision. "'Transitions in Financial Instrument Reference Rates' explores alternative reference rates and planning considerations for a potential change."

This issue of Supervisory Insights also includes a "Regulatory and Supervisory Roundup" section, which provides an overview of recently released regulations and other items of interest.

Supervisory Insights provides a forum for discussing how bank regulation and policy are put into practice in the field, promoting sound principles and practices for bank supervision, and communicating about the emerging issues that bank supervisors face. The journal is available on the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/regulations/examinations/supervisory/insights .

Suggestions for future topics and requests for permission to reprint articles should be emailed to supervisoryjournal@fdic.gov . Requests for print copies should be emailed to publicinfo@fdic.gov .

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's banks and savings associations, 5,406 as of December 31, 2018. It promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars—insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov , by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html ) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200).