Skip Header
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Trust Examination Overview

The FDIC protects bank depositors by periodically examining the trust operations of FDIC-regulated financial institutions. These examinations determine if an institution's policies or the way it administers accounts has resulted in a contingent liability or estimated loss that could damage the institution's capital.

A financial institution's failure to perform its fiduciary duties and meet its responsibilities with appropriate care, skill, and prudence, and in accordance with fiduciary principles and applicable laws and regulations, could harm trust customers and expose the institution to possible loss or surcharge.

Trust Examination Manual

The FDIC's Trust Examination Manual is designed to assist regulators in planning and conducting regulatory examinations of trust departments. The manual serves as a comprehensive reference on trust concepts, principles, common and statutory law - both State and Federal - and regulations along with the applicable regulations that together govern the behavior of fiduciaries.

The Trust Examination Manual explains trust concepts and regulatory policies, as well as contains detailed text of applicable statutes, regulations, and interpretations.

FDIC Trust Examination Manual

Order the Trust Examination Manual on CD-ROM

The FDIC 2008 Trust Examination Manual is available to the public. To order the Trust Examination Manual, please complete the order form and fax or mail it according to the instructions provided.

FDIC Trust Examination Order Form