2020-03-13
The Federal Reserve Board issued this letter to outline supervisory practices for financial institutions impacted by the Coronavirus. It encourages institutions to review prior guidance on disaster relief and consider flexible measures to meet the financial needs of affected customers. Reserve Banks are directed to distribute this guidance to supervised institutions and their examination staff.
Page 1 of 1 BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM WASHINGTON, D.C. 20551 DIVISION OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION DIVISION OF CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SR 20-4 CA 20-3 March 13, 2020 TO THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION AT EACH FEDERAL RESERVE BANK AND TO INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE SUBJECT: Supervisory Practices Regarding Financial Institutions Affected by Coronavirus Applicability: This letter is relevant to all institutions supervised by the Federal Reserve. On March 9, the Federal Reserve Board and the other federal financial institution regulatory agencies and state bank regulators issued a statement to encourage financial institutions to meet the financial services needs of their customers and members in areas affected by the Coronavirus.1 Financial institutions are encouraged to review SR letter 13-6/CA letter 13- 3, “Supervisory Practices Regarding Banking Organizations and their Borrowers and Other Customers Affected by a Major Disaster or Emergency.” This letter discusses the supervisory practices that the Federal Reserve System will employ when financial institutions and their customers are affected by Coronavirus. SR letter 13-6/CA letter 13-3 also provides examples of efforts that financial institutions may want to consider in working with affected customers. Reserve Banks are asked to distribute this letter to the Federal Reserve-supervised institutions in their districts, as well as to their supervisory and examination staff. If supervised financial institutions have questions about the guidance set forth in this letter, they are encouraged to contact the responsible Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, questions may be sent via the Board’s public website.2 Michael S. Gibson Eric S. Belsky Director Director Division of Supervision Division of Consumer and and Regulation Community Affairs Cross Reference to: • SR letter 13-6/CA letter 13-3, “Supervisory Practices Regarding Banking Organizations and their Borrowers and Other Customers Affected by a Major Disaster or Emergency” 1 Refer to the Board’s public website at: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20200309a.htm 2 http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/contactus/feedback.aspx