District Circular Letters
March 30, 2001
BANKING SUPERVISION AND REGULATION:
Truth in Savings
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
12 CFR 230: Regulation DD; Docket No. R-1044
SUMMARY: The Board is adopting an interim final rule amending
Regulation DD, which implements the Truth in Savings Act, to establish
uniform standards for the electronic delivery of disclosures required
by the act and regulation. The rule provides guidance on the timing and
delivery of electronic disclosures to ensure consumers have adequate opportunity
to access and retain the information. (Similar rules are being adopted
under other consumer financial services and fair lending regulations administered
by the Board.) Under the rule, depository institutions may deliver disclosures
electronically if they obtain consumers' affirmative consent in accordance
with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign
Act). Amendments are also adopted that address electronic advertisements.
The rule is being adopted as an interim rule to obtain additional public
comment. An interim rule published in 1999, before enactment of the E-Sign
Act, is withdrawn.
DATES: The interim rule is effective March 30, 2001; however,
to allow time for any necessary operational changes, the mandatory compliance
date is October 1, 2001. Comments must be received by June 1, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments, which should refer to Docket No. R-1044,
may be mailed to Ms. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20551 or mailed electronically to regs.comments@federalreserve.gov.
Comments addressed to Ms. Johnson may also be delivered to the Board's
mail room between 8:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. weekdays, and to the security
control room at all other times. The mail room and the security control
room, both in the Board's Eccles Building, are accessible from the courtyard
entrance on 20th Street between Constitution Avenue and C Street, N.W.
Comments may be inspected in room MP-500 in the Board's Martin Building
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., pursuant to the Board's Rules Regarding
the Availability of Information, 12 CFR part 261.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane E. Ahrens, Senior Counsel,
and Deborah J. Stipick, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs,
at (202) 452-2412 or (202) 452-3667.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Truth in Savings Act (TISA), 12 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., requires
depository institutions to disclose yields, fees, and other terms concerning
deposit accounts to consumers at account opening, upon request, when changes
in terms occur, and in periodic statements. It also includes rules about
advertising for deposit accounts. The Board's Regulation DD (12 CFR part
230) implements the act. Credit unions are governed by a substantially
similar regulation issued by the National Credit Union Administration.
TISA and Regulation DD require a number of disclosures to be provided
in writing, presuming that depository institutions provide paper documents.
Under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign
Act)(15 U.S.C.§ 7001 et seq.), however, electronic
documents and signatures have the same validity as paper documents and
handwritten signatures.
Board Proposals Regarding Electronic Disclosures
Over the past few years, the Board has published several interim rules
and proposals regarding the electronic delivery of disclosures. In 1996,
after a comprehensive review of Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers),
the Board proposed to amend the regulation to permit financial institutions
to provide disclosures by sending them electronically. (61 FR 19696, May
2, 1996.) Based on comments received on the 1996 proposal, on March 25,1998,
the Board published an interim rule permitting the electronic delivery
of disclosures under Regulation E (63 FR 14528) and similar proposals
under Regulation DD (63 FR 14533), and other financial services and fair
lending regulations administered by the Board. The 1998 interim rule and
proposed rules were similar to the 1996 proposed rule under Regulation
E.
The 1998 proposals and interim rule allowed creditors, depository institutions,
lessors, and others to provide disclosures electronically if the consumer
agreed, with few other requirements. For ease of reference, this background
section uses the terms "institutions" and "consumers."
Industry commenters generally supported the Board's 1998 proposals and
interim rule, but many of them sought specific revisions and additional
guidance on how to comply with the disclosure requirements in certain
transactions and circumstances. In particular, they expressed concern
that the rule did not specify a uniform method for establishing that an
"agreement" was reached for sending disclosures electronically. Consumer
advocates, on the other hand, generally opposed the 1998 proposals and
the interim rule. They believed that consumer protections in the proposals
were inadequate, especially in connection with transactions that are typically
consummated in person (such as automobile loans and leases, home-secured
loans, and door-to-door credit sales).
September 1999 Proposals
In response to comments received on the 1998 proposals, the Board published
revised regulatory proposals in September 1999 under Regulations
B, E, M, Z, and DD, (64 FR 49688, 49699, 49713, 49722 and 49740, respectively,
September 14, 1999) (collectively, the "1999 proposals"), and an interim
rule under Regulation DD (64 FR 49846). The interim rule under Regulation
DD allowed depository institutions to deliver disclosures on periodic
statements electronically if the consumer agrees.
Generally, the 1999 proposals required institutions to use a standardized
form containing specific information about the electronic delivery of
disclosures so that consumers could make informed decisions about whether
to receive disclosures electronically. If the consumer affirmatively consented,
most disclosures could be provided electronically. To address concerns
about potential abuses, the 1999 proposals generally would have required
disclosures to be given in paper form when consumers transacted business
in person. The proposals contained rules for disclosures that are made
available to consumers at an institution's Internet web site (governing,
for example, how long disclosures must remain posted at a web site).
Comments on the September 1999 Proposals The Board received letters
representing 115 commenters expressing views on the revised proposals.
Industry commenters generally supported the Board's approach establishing
federal rules for a uniform method of obtaining consumers' consents to
the receipt of electronic disclosures instead of deferring to state law.
Still, many sought specific additional guidance and in some cases wanted
more flexibility. They were concerned about the length of time the proposals
would have required electronic disclosures to remain available to a consumer
at an institution's Internet web site or upon request. In addition, they
believed the proposed rule requiring paper disclosures for transactions
conducted in person was not sufficiently flexible. Consumer advocates
believed the 1999 proposals addressed many of their concerns about the
1998 proposals. Nevertheless, they urged the Board to incorporate greater
protections for consumers, such as restricting the delivery of electronic
disclosures to only those consumers who initiate transactions electronically.
The Board also obtained views through four focus groups with individual
consumers, conducted in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. Participants
reviewed and commented on the format and content of the proposed sample
consent forms, as well as on alternative revised forms.
Federal Legislation Addressing Electronic Commerce
On June 30, 2000, the President signed the E-Sign Act, which was enacted
to encourage the continued expansion of electronic commerce. The E-Sign
Act generally provides that electronic documents and signatures have the
same validity as paper documents and handwritten signatures. The act contains
special rules for the use of electronic disclosures in consumer transactions.
Consumer disclosures may be provided in electronic form only if the consumer
affirmatively consents after receiving certain information specified in
the statute.
The Board and other government agencies are permitted to interpret the
E-Sign Act's consumer consent requirements within prescribed limits, but
may not impose additional requirements for consumer consent. In addition,
agencies generally may not re-impose a requirement for using paper disclosures
in particular transactions, such as those conducted in person.
The consumer consent provisions in the E-Sign Act became effective October
1, 2000, and did not require implementing regulations. Thus, financial
institutions are currently permitted to use electronic disclosures under
Regulations B, E, M, Z and DD if the consumer affirmatively consents in
the manner required by the E-Sign Act. Under section 101(c)(5) of the
E-Sign Act, consumers who consented prior to the effective date of the
act to receive electronic disclosures as permitted by any law or regulation,
are not subject to the consent requirements.
II. The Interim Rule
The Board is adopting an interim final rule to establish uniform standards
for the electronic delivery of disclosures required under Regulation DD.
Consistent with the requirements of the E-Sign Act, depository institutions
generally must obtain consumers' affirmative consent to provide disclosures
electronically. The interim rule published in 1999, before enactment
of the E-Sign Act, is withdrawn.
The interim rules also establish uniform requirements for the timing
and delivery of electronic disclosures. Disclosures may be sent by electronic
mail (e-mail) to an electronic address designated by the consumer, or
they may be made available at another location, such as an Internet web
site. If the disclosures are not sent by e-mail, consumers must receive
a notice alerting them to the availability of the disclosures. Disclosures
posted on a web site must be available for at least 90 days, to allow
consumers adequate time to access and retain the information. With regard
to the timing of electronic disclosures, for disclosures that must be
provided before the consumer opens an account, consumers are required
to access the electronic disclosures before the account is opened. Under
the interim rule, institutions must make a good faith attempt to redeliver
electronic disclosures that are returned undelivered, using the address
information available in their files. Similar rules are being adopted
under Regulations B, E, M and Z.
III. Request for Comment
Interim Rules
The interim rules include most of the revisions that were part of the
1999 proposals and were not affected by the E-Sign Act. The Board is adopting
these rules with some minor changes discussed below. The rules are adopted
as interim rules, to allow commenters to present new information or views
not previously considered in the context of the 1998 and 1999 proposals.
Since the Board's 1999 proposals were issued, more institutions have gained
experience in offering financial services electronically. The Board believes
that additional comments, beyond those previously considered in connection
with the Board's earlier proposals, might inform the Board whether any
developments in technology or industry practices have occurred that warrant
further changes in the rules. The comment period ends on June 1, 2001.
The Board expects to adopt final rules on a permanent basis prior to October
1, 2001.
Interpreting E-Sign Provisions
Under section 104(b) of the E-Sign Act, the Board and other government
agencies are permitted to interpret the act, within prescribed limits.
The Board may issue rules that interpret how the E-Sign Act's consumer
consent requirements apply for purposes of the laws administered by the
Board. Also, the Board may, by regulation, exempt a particular category
of disclosures from the E-Sign Act's consumer consent requirements if
it will eliminate a substantial burden on electronic commerce without
creating material risk for consumers.
The Board requests comment on whether the Board should exercise its
authority under the E-Sign Act in future rulemakings to interpret the
consumer consent provisions or other provisions of the act, as they affect
the Board's consumer protection regulations. Comment is requested on whether
the statutory provisions relating to consumer consent are sufficient,
or whether additional guidance is needed. For example, is interpretative
guidance needed concerning the statutory requirement that consumers confirm
their consent electronically in a manner that reasonably demonstrates
they can access information in the form to be used by the depository institution?
Is clarification needed on the effect of consumers' withdrawing their
consent, or on requesting paper copies of electronic disclosures? Institutions
must also inform consumers of changes in hardware or software requirements
if the change creates a material risk that the consumer will not be able
to access or retain the disclosure. The Board solicits comment on whether
regulatory standards are needed for determining a "material risk" for
purposes of Regulation DD and other financial services and fair lending
laws administered by the Board, and if so what standards should apply.
Under section 104(d) of the E-Sign Act, the Board is authorized to exempt
specific disclosures from the consumer consent requirements of section
101(c) of the E-Sign Act, if the exemption is necessary to eliminate a
substantial burden on electronic commerce and will not increase the material
risk of harm to consumers. The Board requests comment on whether it should
consider exercising this exemption authority.
Study on Adapting Requirements to Online Banking and Lending
The E-Sign Act eliminated legal impediments to the use of electronic
records and signatures, the Board requests comment on whether other legislative
or regulatory changes are needed to adapt current requirements to online
banking and lending and facilitate electronic delivery of consumer financial
services.
As an example, under Regulations Z and DD, periodic statements inform
consumers about their account activity over a period of time, typically
monthly. The beginning and ending dates of the cycle determine costs and
other information that must be disclosed. In addition, transmittal of
the periodic statement triggers important consumer protections such as
billing error resolution procedures. Online banking, however, can provide
consumers with up-to-date information about their accounts on a continuing
basis. Such information is a helpful supplement tobut does not comply
as a substitute forperiodic statements. Should the rules for periodic
statements be modified for online banking, and if so, how could the rules
be crafted to maintain for consumers 1) a perspective of the cost and
activity of an account over time, and 2) protections for resolving errors
or liability for unauthorized transactions.
The comments may assist the Board in future efforts to update the regulations.
The comments may also be used in connection with a study required under
the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. That act requires the federal bank
supervisory agencies to conduct a study of banking regulations that affect
the electronic delivery of financial services and to submit to the Congress
a report recommending any legislative changes that are needed to facilitate
online banking and lending.
IV. Section-by-Section Analysis
Pursuant to its authority under section 269 of TISA, the Board amends
Regulation DD to establish uniform standards for the use of electronic
communication to provide disclosures required by this regulation. Electronic
disclosures can effectively reduce compliance costs without adversely
affecting consumer protections. The purpose of Regulation DD disclosures
is to ensure that consumers have meaningful information about account
terms so that consumers can compare savings and investment products. The
use of electronic communication may allow institutions to provide Regulation
DD disclosures to the consumer more efficiently. To the extent that a
depository institution may make electronic disclosures available at its
web site instead of providing the disclosures directly to the consumer,
the Board finds that such an exception is warranted pursuant to its authority
under section 269(a)(3) of TISA. Below is a section-by-section analysis
of the rules for providing disclosures by electronic communication, including
references to changes in the official staff commentary.
Section 230.3 General disclosure requirements
3(a) Form
Section 230.3(a) has been revised to reflect that the disclosures provided
under § 230.10 for electronic communications are subject to the same
requirements as other disclosures provided under Regulation DD.
3(g) Electronic Communication
Section 230.3(g) is added to provide a cross reference to rules governing
the electronic delivery of disclosures in § 230.10.
Section 230.4 Account Disclosures
4(a) Delivery of Account Disclosures
Depository institutions generally must provide account-opening disclosures
to consumers before an account is opened or a service is provided. Currently,
depository institutions may delay delivering TISA disclosures if the consumer
is not present at the institution when the account is opened (or service
is provided). The rationale underlying the ten-day delay is that the institution
cannot provide written disclosures is such cases, for example, when an
account is opened by telephone. Section 230.4(a) provides that in such
cases, account-opening disclosures must be mailed or delivered within
ten business days.
Under the 1999 proposal, the delayed timing rule under § 230.4(a)
did not apply to depository institutions opening accounts by "electronic
communication" (for example, those offered on the Internet). Some commenters
agreed that the ten-day delay should not apply in such cases. Others expressed
concern about providing accurate disclosures if a consumer "opens" an
account electronically after normal business hours, and account terms
change when the institution next opens for business.
The interim final rule, as in the 1999 proposal, provides that depository
institutions opening accounts by "electronic communication" (for example,
those offered on the Internet) may not delay providing disclosures under
§ 230.4(a). This rule is adopted pursuant to the Board's exception
authority under Section 269(a)(3) of TISA, to carry out the purposes of
the statute. The difficulties in providing disclosures for accounts opened
by mail or telephone are not present for requests to open accounts received
by electronic communication using visual text. Thus, specific disclosures
must be provided before accounts are opened using electronic communication.
TISA and Regulation DD do not define when an account is deemed to be opened;
thus, institutions may establish policies and procedures to address after-hours
requests to open accounts, to ensure that accurate disclosures are provided
before the account is deemed by the institution to be "opened."
Depository institutions must also provide account disclosures to a consumer
upon request. Section 230.4(a)(2)(i) provides that if a consumer is not
present at the institution when a request for account disclosures is made,
the institution must mail or deliver the disclosures within a reasonable
time after the institution receives the request; ten days is deemed to
be a reasonable time. The 1999 proposal extended the rule to requests
for disclosures made by electronic communication. Most commenters agreed
that a ten-day period was reasonable for responding to electronic requests
for disclosures. Some stated that having one uniform time period would
aid compliance. The interim final rule provides that ten days is a reasonable
time for responding to request for account disclosures made by electronic
communication. Comment 4(a)(2)(i)-3 has been revised to include this guidance.
Section 230.4(a)(2)(i) is revised to require institutions to mail or
deliver disclosures in paper form or electronically to consumers who are
not present at the institution when a request is made. To provide disclosures
electronically, the institution must send the disclosures to the consumer's
e-mail address, or send a notice alerting the consumer to the location
of the disclosures, such as on the institution's Internet web site. Posting
disclosures on a depository institution's web site does not relieve the
institution's duty to provide the disclosures upon request. Comment 4(a)(2)(i)-4
is added to contain this advice.
Section 230.6 Periodic Statement Disclosures
6(c) Electronic Communication
Section 230.6(c) was adopted by the Board in 1999 as an interim rule
allowing the electronic delivery of periodic statements, if the consumer
agreed. (64 FR 49846, September 14, 1999.) The electronic delivery of
periodic statements for consumer asset accounts was already permissible
under an interim rule to Regulation E issued in March 1998. The 1999 interim
rule allowed institutions to delivery electronically a single statement
that complied with Regulation E and Regulation DD. The interim rule did
not specify the manner or form of consumers' consent to electronic statements.
Effective October 1, 2000, the E-Sign Act permits depository institutions
to provide disclosures to consumers using electronic communication, if
the depository institution complies with Section 101(c) of that act. Section
101(c) of the E-Sign Act requires depository institutions to provide specific
information about the electronic delivery of disclosures and obtain the
consumer's affirmative consent to receive electronic disclosures. As discussed
below, § 226.10(b) is being adopted to set forth the general rule
that depository institutions subject to Regulation DD may provide disclosures
electronically only if the institution complies with Section 101(c) of
the E-Sign Act. This requirement applies to disclosures on periodic statements
that are provided electronically, and § 230.6(c) is withdrawn accordingly.
Section 230.8 Advertising
8(a) Misleading or Inaccurate Advertisements
Stating certain account terms in an advertisement for a deposit account
triggers the disclosure of additional terms. Although Regulation DD does
not currently address multiple-page advertisements, Regulations Z (Truth
in Lending) and M (Consumer Leasing) permit creditors and lessors to provide
required advertising disclosures on more than one page, if certain conditions
are met. In September 1999, the Board proposed consistent approaches under
Regulations Z, M, and DD for complying with the regulations' advertising
requirements in the context of electronic advertising. Under the proposal,
a depository institution that advertises using electronic communication
can comply with the regulation's advertising requirements if the required
terms are disclosed in more than one location, under certain conditions.
Most commenters addressing the issue agreed with the proposed approach.
Comment 8(a)-9 is adopted as proposed, with technical amendments for
clarity. If an advertisement using electronic communication displays a
triggering term (such as a bonus or annual percentage yield) the advertisement
must clearly refer the consumer to the location where the additional required
information begins. For example, an advertisement that includes a bonus
or annual percentage yield may be accompanied by a link in close proximity,
that directly takes the consumer to the additional information.
8(b) Permissible Rates
Section 230.8(b) permits depository institutions to state an interest
rate in addition to the APY, as long as the rate is stated in conjunction
with, but not more conspicuously than, the APY. As proposed, both rates
must appear at the same location so the consumer can view both rates simultaneously.
An advertised interest rate with a link to another location that contains
the related APY would not comply with the requirements of
§ 230.8(b); the interest rate would be the only rate readily visible
to consumers, and therefore would be more conspicuous. Commenters generally
agreed with this requirement. Comment 8(b)-4 is adopted as proposed.
8(e) Exemption for Certain Advertisements
8(e)(1) Certain Media
Section 230.8(e) exempts from some requirements advertisements made through
broadcast or electronic media, such as television and radio or outdoor
billboards. Proposed comment 8(e)(1)(i)-1 provided that this exemption
would not apply to electronic advertisements using electronic communication,
such as Internet advertisements, which do not have the same time and space
constraints as radio or television advertisements.
Views were mixed on whether advertisements using electronic communication
should be subject to the broadcast or media exception. Many commenters
noted that a frequent form of advertisement on the Internet is the "banner"
advertisement and these are often priced based on size. Similarly, they
noted that space limitations may exist, especially on third-party web
sites. Accordingly, these commenters requested that the Board consider
extending a similar exception to Internet advertisements that currently
exists for television and billboards. However, other commenters agreed
with the Board's position that these types of advertisements (for example
Internet advertisements with link capability) do not possess the same
time and space limitations as those that are currently exempted.
The Board believes that space constraints for advertisements on Internet
web sites are not significantly different than those for a print advertisement
(a newspaper, for example). Thus, requiring advertisements provided by
electronic communication to comply with the regulation's advertising requirements
is not overly burdensome. Accordingly, advertisements made via electronic
communication, such as advertisements posted on the Internet, are subject
to Regulation DD's general advertising rules. Comment 8(e)(1)(i)-1 is
adopted as proposed.
Section 230.10 Electronic Communication
10(a) Definition
As adopted, the definition of the term "electronic communication" remains
substantially unchanged from the 1999 proposals. Section 230.10(a) limits
the term to a message transmitted electronically that can be displayed
on equipment as visual text; an example is a message displayed on a personal
computer monitor screen. Thus, audio and voice response telephone systems
are not included. Because the rule permits the use of electronic communication
to satisfy the statutory requirement for written disclosures that must
be clear and conspicuous, the Board believes visual text is an essential
element of the definition. Institutions that accommodate vision-impaired
consumers by providing disclosures that do not use visual text must also
provide disclosures using visual text.
Some commenters asked for clarification that the definition was not
intended to preclude the use of devices other than personal computers,
which also can display visual text. The equipment on which the text message
is received is not limited to a personal computer, provided the visual
display used to deliver the disclosures meets the "clear and conspicuous"
format requirement, discussed below.
10(b) General Rule
Effective October 1, 2000, the E-Sign Act permits depository institutions
to provide disclosures using electronic communication, if the depository
institution complies with the consumer consent requirements in Section
101(c). Under section 101(c) of the E-Sign Act, depository institutions
must provide specific information about the electronic delivery of disclosures
before obtaining the consumer's affirmative consent to receive electronic
disclosures. The consent requirements in the E-Sign Act are similar but
not identical to the Board's 1999 proposal. Accordingly, § 230.10(b)
sets forth the general rule that depository institutions subject to Regulation
DD may provide disclosures electronically if the institution complies
with section 101(c) of the E-Sign Act.
The E-Sign Act authorizes the use of electronic disclosures. The act
does not affect any requirement imposed under TISA other than a provision
that requires disclosures to be in paper form, and the act does not affect
the content or timing of disclosures. Electronic disclosures are subject
to the regulation's format, timing and retainability rules and the clear
and conspicuous standard. Comment 10(b)-1 contains this guidance.
Presenting Disclosures in a Clear and Conspicuous Format
Electronic disclosures must be clear and conspicuous, as is the case
for all written disclosures under TISA and the Regulation DD. See §§
230.3(a). An institution must provide electronic disclosures using a clear
and conspicuous format. Also, in accordance with the E-Sign Act: (1) the
institution must disclose the requirements for accessing and retaining
disclosures in that format; (2) the consumer must demonstrate the ability
to access the information electronically and affirmatively consent to
electronic delivery; and (3) the institution must provide the disclosures
in accordance with the specified requirements. Comment 10(b)-2 contains
this guidance
Comments posed a few questions about the applicability of the clear and
conspicuous standard to particular situations. Some asked whether electronic
advertisements or other unrelated promotional information may appear on
the same screen as mandatory disclosures that are posted on an Internet
web site. Except to the extent required by the regulation, disclosures
do not have to be provided separately from other information. Advertisements
should not be integrated into the text of the disclosure in a manner that
violates the clear and conspicuous standard.
Commenters also had questions about the use of navigational tools with
electronic disclosures. For example, some believed that such tools might
be helpful in directing consumers to related information that explains
the terminology used in the disclosures. Many Internet web sites use navigational
tools that are conspicuous through the use of bold text, larger fonts,
different colors, underlining, or other methods of highlighting. Such
tools are not per se prohibited so long as they are not used in a manner
that would violate the clear and conspicuous standard.
Providing Timely Disclosures
Disclosures delivered electronically must comply with existing timing
requirements under TISA and Regulation DD. See §230.4(a). Commenters
on the Board's 1999 proposals requested specific guidance that an electronic
disclosure would be considered timely based on the time it is sent by
e-mail or posted on an Internet web site, regardless of when the consumer
receives or reads the disclosure.
Under the final rule, consistent with rules for disclosures that are
sent by postal mail, disclosures provided by e-mail are timely when they
are sent by the required time. Disclosures posted periodically at an Internet
web site are timely if, by the required time, the depository institution
both makes the disclosures available at that location and, in accordance
with §230.10(d)(2), sends a notice alerting the consumer that the
disclosures have been posted. For example, under §230.5, institutions
must give advance notice to affected customers at least 30 calendar days
in advance of certain changes. For a change in terms notice posted on
the Internet, an institution must both post the notice and notify consumers
of its availability at least 30 days in advance of the change. Comment
10(b)-3(ii) contains this guidance.
Certain disclosures must be provided before the consumer opens an account
or a service is provided. When a depository institution permits the consumer
to open an account on-line, the consumer must be required to access the
disclosures required under § 230.4 before the account is opened.
A link to the disclosures satisfies the timing rule if the consumer cannot
bypass the disclosure before opening the account. Or, the disclosures
in this example must automatically appear on the screen, even if multiple
screens are required to view the entire disclosure. Comment 10(b)-3(i)
contains this guidance, as proposed.
Some industry commenters believed that requiring disclosures to automatically
appear or be accessed by the consumer is cumbersome and unnecessary. Some
commenters suggested that the Board allow the required disclosures to
be accessible via a clearly marked navigational tool; they believe that
once the tool is provided, the disclosure should be deemed to have been
provided to the consumer.
TISA and Regulation DD require that depository institutions provide or
send disclosures to consumers. It is not sufficient for institutions to
provide a bypassable navigational tool that merely gives consumers the
option of receiving disclosures. Such an approach reduces the likelihood
that consumers actually receive the disclosures. The interim final rule
ensures that consumers actually see the disclosures provided electronically
so that they have the opportunity to read them before opening an account.
Commenters on the various proposals requested guidance on the depository
institution's duty in cases where an automated teller machine (ATM) or
other automated equipment controlled by the depository institution malfunctions
or otherwise fails to operate properly and cannot provide timely disclosures.
Where the depository institution controls the equipment and disclosures
are required at that time, an institution might not be liable for failing
to provide timely disclosures if the defense in section 271(c) of TISA
is available.
Providing Disclosures in a Form the Consumer May Keep
Under TISA and Regulation DD, disclosures required to be in writing also
must be in a form the consumer can retain. (See § 230.3(a)) Electronic
disclosures are subject to this requirement. Comment 10(b)-4 contains
guidance on this requirement.
Consumers may communicate electronically with depository institutions
through a variety of means and from various locations. Depending on the
location (at home, at work, in a public place such as a library), a consumer
may not have the ability at a given time to preserve TISA disclosures
presented on-screen. To ensure that consumers have an adequate opportunity
to access and retain the disclosures, the depository institution also
must send them to the consumer's designated e-mail address or make them
available at another location, for example, on the depository institution's
Internet web site, where the information may be retrieved at a later date.
Where the depository institution controls the equipment providing the
electronic disclosures (for example, an ATM or computer terminal located
in the depository institution's lobby), the depository institution must
ensure that the consumer has the opportunity to retain the required information.
Comment 10(b)-5 contains this guidance.
10(c) When Consent is Required
Under the E-Sign Act, consumers must affirmatively consent before they
receive electronic disclosures "relating to a transaction" if the disclosures
are required by law or regulation to be in writing. Section 230.10(c)
is added to provide that certain disclosures are not deemed to be related
to a transaction for purposes of the E-Sign Act's consumer consent provision.
These include disclosures in connection with advertisements (§ 230.8)
and disclosures about deposit accounts that provided upon request (§230.4(a)(2)).
Advertising disclosures are available to the general public. Consumers
receiving disclosures on request may not open an account; those that do
open an account will ultimately receive account opening disclosures subject
to the consent requirements.
10(d) Address or Location to Receive Electronic Communication
Consistent with the 1999 proposals, the interim rule provides that depository
institutions may deliver electronic disclosures by sending them to a consumer's
e-mail address. Alternatively, the rule provides that depository institutions
may make the disclosures available at another location such as an Internet
web site. If the depository institution makes a disclosure available at
such a location, the depository institution effectively delivers the disclosure
by sending a notice alerting the consumer when the disclosure can be accessed
and making the disclosure available for at least 90 days. The time period
for keeping disclosures available at a location such as a depository institution's
Internet web site under the interim rule differs from the 1999 proposals,
based on commenters' concerns as discussed below.
10(d)(1)
For purposes of § 226.10(d), a consumer's electronic address is
an e-mail address that is not limited to receiving communications transmitted
solely by the depository institution, as proposed. This guidance is contained
in comment 10(d)(1)-1.
An electronic address would not include systems that permit communication
only between the consumer and the depository institution, for example,
home-banking programs that allow consumers to communicate directly with
a depository institution on-line with the use of a computer and modem.
These systems, like a depository institution's web site accessed via the
Internet, give consumers access to information about their accounts at
a location controlled by the depository institution. In both cases, the
depository institution determines how long disclosures will be available
to the consumer. Consumers who receive disclosures at their e-mail address
may choose when to review, and for how long to retain, account information.
Consumers who receive disclosures by contacting a depository institution's
site, however, need to be alerted when the information is first available
in order to ensure that they have the opportunity to access the information
before it is removed. Thus, disclosures provided using systems such as
home-banking programs are treated in the same manner as disclosures made
available at an Internet web site, and a notice alerting the consumer
when disclosures are posted must be sent, by e-mail or to a postal address,
at the depository institution's option.
10(d)(2)
Under § 230.10(d)(2)(i) of the interim rule, for disclosures made
available at an Internet web site, a notice alerting the consumer when
disclosures are posted must be sent, by e-mail (or to a postal address,
at the depository institution's option). Section 230.10(d)(2)(i) requires
that the alert notice identify the account involved and the address or
other location where the disclosure is available. Comment 10(d)(2)-1 provides
guidance on the level of detail required in identifying the account.
As proposed, under § 230.10(d)(2)(ii) the interim rule, disclosures
provided at an Internet web site must remain available for at least 90
days. The requirement seeks to ensure that consumers have adequate time
to access and retain a disclosure under a variety of circumstances, such
as when a consumer may not be able for an extended period of time to access
the information due to computer malfunctions, travel, or illness. The
90-day period is uniform for all disclosures, for ease of compliance.
Comment 10(d)(2)-2 is added to provide that during this period, the actual
disclosures must be available to the consumer, but the institution has
discretion to determine whether they should be available at the same location
for the entire period.
Some industry commenters believed the 90-day time period is reasonable
and feasible. About an equal number of commenters believed it was too
burdensome and costly; some of these commenters suggested periods that
ranged from 30 to 60 days.
The 1999 proposals provided that after the 90-day time period, disclosures
would be available upon consumers' request, generally for 24 months, in
the same format as initially provided to the consumer. The 24-month period
is consistent with a depository institution's duty to retain records that
evidence their compliance. Consumer advocates supported the proposed retention
period; some recommended that disclosures should be available upon request
for the length of the contractual relationship with the consumer.
Industry commenters strongly opposed the 24-month period. Many believed
that keeping copies of electronic disclosures actually provided to consumers
for that period of time would be costly and burdensome. Moreover, industry
commenters believed that once a consumer has accessed the disclosures,
the consumer rather than the depository institution should have the duty
to retain them for future reference. They also noted that under existing
record retention requirements applicable to paper disclosures, a depository
institution need only demonstrate compliance with the rules, but need
not retain copies of the actual disclosures provided to consumers.
The requirement for depository institutions to retain the disclosures
in the format provided duplicate disclosures upon request for 24 months
has not been adopted. A depository institution's duty to retain evidence
of compliance for 24 months remains unchanged.
10(d)(3) Exceptions
Section 230.10(d)(3) is added to make clear that the requirements of
paragraphs (i) and (ii) of § 230.10(d)(2) do not apply to disclosures
in certain advertisements (§ 230.8), and that paragraph (ii) of §
230.10(d)(2) does not apply to disclosures made available upon a consumer's
request (§ 230.4(a)).
10(e) Redelivery
Industry commenters on the 1998 proposal asked for clarification that
sending the electronic disclosures complies with the regulation, and that
institutions are not required to confirm that the consumer actually received
them. Consumer advocates asked that institutions be required to verify
the delivery of disclosures by return receipt, in the case of e-mail.
In the 1999 proposals, the Board solicited comment on the need for and
the feasibility of such a requirement.
Consumer advocates believe that e-mail systems are not yet sufficiently
reliable and that safeguards are necessary to ensure that consumers actually
receive disclosures. Industry commenters stated that a return receipt
requirement would be costly and burdensome, and would require depository
institutions to monitor return receipts in every case to determine that
individual consumers received the disclosures.
Section 101(c) of the E-Sign Act requires that consumers consent electronically,
or confirm their consents electronically, in a manner that reasonably
demonstrates that the consumer can access the information that the institution
will be providing. This requirement seeks to verify at the outset that
the consumer is actually capable of receiving the information in the electronic
format being used by the institution. After the consumer consents, the
E-Sign Act also requires the institution to notify consumers of changes
that materially affect consumers' ability to access electronic disclosures.
The interim rule does not impose a verification requirement because
the cost and burden associated with verifying delivery of all disclosures
would not be warranted. When electronic disclosures are returned undelivered,
however, § 230.10(e) imposes a duty to attempt redelivery (either
electronically or to a postal address) based on information in the institution's
own files. Unlike paper disclosures delivered by the postal service, there
generally is no commonly-accepted mechanism for reporting a change in
electronic address or for forwarding e-mail. Where a depository institution
actually knows that the delivery of an electronic disclosure did not take
place, the institution should take reasonable steps to effectuate delivery
in some way. For example, if an e-mail message to the consumer (containing
an alert notice or other disclosure) is returned as undeliverable, the
redelivery requirement is satisfied if the institution sends the disclosure
to a different e-mail address or postal address that the institution has
on file. Sending the disclosures a second time to the same electronic
address would not be sufficient if the institution has a different address
for the consumer on file. Comment 10(e)-1 provides this guidance.
This redelivery requirement is limited to situations where the electronic
communication cannot be delivered and does not apply to situations where
the disclosure is delivered but, for example, cannot be read by the consumer
due to technical problems with the consumer's software. A depository institution's
duty to redeliver a disclosure under § 230.10(e) does not affect
the timeliness of the disclosure. Depository institutions comply with
the timing requirements of the regulation when a disclosure is initially
sent in a timely manner, even though the disclosure is returned undelivered
and the depository institution is required under § 230.10(e) to take
reasonable steps to attempt redelivery.
10(f) Entities Other Than a Depository Institution
The requirements of § 230.8 apply to advertisements by deposit brokers.
Section 230.10(f) is added to clarify that deposit brokers who are required
to comply with Regulation DD may use electronic communication to do so,
provided the requirements of § 230.10 are satisfied.
Additional Issues
Document Integrity
The interim rule does not impose document integrity standards. Consumer
advocates and others have expressed concerns that electronic documents
can be altered more easily than paper documents. They say that consumers'
ability to enforce rights under the consumer protection laws could be
impaired, in some cases, if the authenticity of disclosures they retain
cannot be demonstrated.
Institutions are generally required to retain evidence of compliance
with the Board's consumer regulations. Accordingly, the Board requested
comment on the feasibility of requiring institutions to have systems in
place capable of detecting whether or not information has been altered,
or to use independent certification authorities to verify disclosure documents.
Consumer advocates strongly supported document integrity requirements
(including the use of certification authorities) that would apply to all-electronic
disclosures. Signatures, notary seals, and verification procedures such
as recordation are used to protect against alterations for transactions
memorialized in paper form. Consumer advocates believe that comparable
verification procedures are needed for electronic disclosures as well.
Industry commenters opposed mandatory document integrity standards for
electronic disclosures. Because the technology in this area is still evolving,
they believed that mandatory standards would be premature. Others believed
that imposing document integrity standards or requiring the use of certification
authorities would be costly to implement.
The Board recognizes the concerns about document integrity, but believes
it is not practicable at this time to impose document integrity standards
for consumer disclosures or mandate the use of independent certification
authorities. Effective methods may be too costly. Other less costly methods
may deter alterations in some cases, but would not necessarily ensure
document integrity.
Moreover, the issue of document integrity affects electronic commerce
generally and is not unique to the written disclosures required under
the consumer protection laws administered by the Board. Section 104(b)(3)
of the E-Sign Act authorizes federal or state regulatory agencies to specify
performance standards to assure the accuracy, record integrity, and accessibility
of records that are required to be retained, but prohibits the agencies
from requiring the use of a particular type of software or hardware in
order to comply with record retention requirements. Technology is likely
to develop to protect electronic contracts and other legal documents.
Thus, it seems premature for the Board to specify any particular standards
or methods for consumer disclosure at this time.
V. Form of Comment Letters
Comment letters should refer to Docket No. R-1044, and, when possible,
should use a standard typeface with a font size of 10 or 12. This will
enable the Board to convert the text to machine-readable form through
electronic scanning, and will facilitate automated retrieval of comments
for review. Also, if accompanied by an original document in paper form,
comments may be submitted on 3 1/2 inch computer diskettes in any IBM-compatible
DOS- or Windows-based format.
VI. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Board has reviewed these interim amendments to Regulation DD in accordance
with section 3(a) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.SC. § 604),
the Board has reviewed these interim amendments to Regulation DD. Two
of the three requirements of a final regulatory flexibility analysis under
the Act are (1) a succinct statement of the need for and the objectives
of the rule and (2) a summary of the issues raised by the public comments,
the agency's assessment of those issues, and a statement of the changes
made in the final rule in response to the comments. These two areas are
discussed above.
The third requirement of the analysis is a description of significant
alternatives to the rule that would minimize the rule's economic impact
on small entities and reasons why the alternatives were rejected. This
interim final rule is designed to provide depository institutions with
an alternative method of providing disclosures; the rule will relieve
compliance burden by giving depository institutions flexibility in providing
disclosures required by the regulation. Overall, the costs of providing
electronic disclosures are not expected to have significant impact on
small entities. The expectation is that providing electronic disclosures
may ultimately reduce the costs associated with providing disclosures.
VII. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506;
5 CFR 1320 Appendix A.1), the Board reviewed the rule under the authority
delegated to the Board by the Office of Management and Budget. The Federal
Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and an organization is not required
to respond to, this information collection unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number. The OMB control number is 7100-0271.
The collection of information that is revised by this rulemaking is found
in 12 CFR Part 230 and in Appendix B. This information is mandatory (15
U.S.C. 4301 et seq.) to evidence compliance with the requirements
of the Regulation DD and the Truth in Savings Act (TISA). The respondents/recordkeepers
are for-profit financial institutions, including small businesses. Institutions
are required to retain records for twenty-four months. This regulation
applies to all types of depository institutions, not just state member
banks. However, under Paperwork Reduction Act regulations, the Federal
Reserve accounts for the burden of the paperwork associated with the regulation
only for state member banks. Other agencies account for the paperwork
burden on their respective constituencies under this regulation.
The revisions provide that depository institutions may deliver disclosures
electronically upon obtaining consumers affirmative consent in accordance
with the E-Sign Act. The revisions provide guidance to institutions on
the timing and delivery of electronic disclosures, to ensure that consumers
have adequate opportunity to access and retain the information. With respect
to state member banks, it is estimated that there are 1,000 respondent/recordkeepers
and an average frequency of 87,071 responses per respondent each year.
Current annual burden is estimated to be 1,482,000 hours. No comments
specifically addressing the burden estimate were received, therefore,
the numbers remain unchanged. There is estimated to be no additional cost
burden and no capital or start up cost associated with the interim rule.
Because the records would be maintained at state member banks and the
notices are not provided to the Federal Reserve, no issue of confidentiality
arises under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Board has a continuing interest in the public's opinions of the Federal
Reserve's collections of information. At any time, comments regarding
the burden estimate, or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing the burden, may be sent to: Secretary,
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets,
N.W., Washington, DC 20551; and to the Office of Management and Budget,
Paperwork Reduction Project (7100-0271), Washington, DC 20503.
VIII. Solicitation of Comments Regarding the Use of "Plain Language"
Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 requires the Board
to use "plain language" in all proposed and final rules published after
January 1, 2000. The Board invites comments on whether the interim rule
is clearly stated and effectively organized, and how the Board might make
the rule easier to understand.
List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 230
Advertising, Banks, banking, Consumer protection, Federal Reserve System,
Reporting and record keeping requirements, Truth in Savings.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board amends Regulation
DD, 12 CFR part 230, as set forth below:
PART 230 TRUTH IN SAVINGS (REGULATION DD)
1. The authority citation for part 230 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.
2. Section 230.3 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and adding a new
paragraph (g) as follows:
§ 230.3 General disclosure requirements.
(a) Form. Depository institutions shall make the disclosures
required by §§ 230.4
through 230.6 and § 230.10 of this part, as applicable, clearly and
conspicuously, in writing, and in a form the consumer may keep. Disclosures
for each account offered by an institution may be presented separately
or combined with disclosures for the institution's other accounts, as
long as it is clear which disclosures are applicable to the consumer's
account.
* * * * *
(g) Electronic communication. For rules governing the electronic
delivery of disclosures, including the definition of electronic communication,
see § 230.10.
* * * * *
3. Section 230.4 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) and paragraph
(a)(2)(i) to read as follows:
§ 230.4 Account disclosures.
(a) Delivery of account disclosures. (1) Account opening.
(i) General. A depository institution shall provide account disclosures
to a consumer before an account is opened or a service is provided, whichever
is earlier. An institution is deemed to have provided a service when a
fee required to be disclosed is assessed. Except as provided in paragraph
(a)(1)(ii) of this section, if the consumer is not present at the institution
when the account is opened or the service is provided and has not already
received the disclosures, the institution shall mail or deliver the disclosures
no later than 10 business days after the account is opened or the service
is provided, whichever is earlier.
(ii) Electronic communication. If a consumer who is not present
at the institution uses electronic communication (as defined in §
230.10) to open an account or request a service, the disclosures required
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be provided before an account
is opened or a service is provided.
(2) Requests. (i) A depository institution shall provide account
disclosures to a consumer upon request. If a consumer who is not present
at the institution makes a request, the institution shall mail or deliver
the disclosures within a reasonable time after it receives the request
and may provide the disclosures in paper form, or electronically if the
consumer provides an electronic mail address.
* * * * *
4. Section 230.6 is amended by removing paragraph (c).
5. Part 230 is amended by adding a new § 230.10 to read as follows:
§ 230.10 Electronic communication.
(a) Definition. "Electronic communication" means a message transmitted
electronically between a depository institution and a consumer in a format
that allows visual text to be displayed on equipment, for example, a personal
computer monitor.
(b) General rule. In accordance with the Electronic Signatures
in Global and National Commerce Act (the E-Sign Act) (15 U.S.C. §
7001 et seq.) and the rules of this part, a depository institution
may provide by electronic communication any disclosure required by this
part to be in writing.
(c) When consent is required. Under the E-Sign Act, a depository
institution is required to obtain a consumer's affirmative consent when
providing disclosures related to a transaction. For purposes of this requirement,
the disclosures required under §§
230.4(a)(2) and 230.8 are deemed not to be related to a transaction.
(d) Address or location to receive electronic communication. A
depository institution that uses electronic communication to provide disclosures
required by this part shall:
(1) Send the disclosure to the consumer's electronic address; or
(2) Make the disclosure available at another location such as an Internet
web site; and
(i) Alert the consumer of the disclosure's availability by sending a
notice to the consumer's electronic address (or to a postal address, at
the depository institution's option). The notice shall identify the account
involved (if applicable) and the address of the Internet web site or other
location where the disclosure is available; and
(ii) Make the disclosure available for at least 90 days from the date
the disclosure first becomes available or from the date of the notice
alerting the consumer of the disclosure, whichever comes later.
(3) Exceptions. A depository institution need not comply with
paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section for disclosures required under §
230.4(a)(2), and need not comply with paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of
this section for disclosures required under § 230.8.
(e) Redelivery. When a disclosure provided by electronic communication
is returned to a depository institution undelivered, the depository institution
shall take reasonable steps to attempt redelivery using information in
its files.
(f) Entities other than a depository institution. A person other
than a depository institution that is required to comply with this part
may use electronic communication in accordance with the requirements of
this section, as applicable.
6. In Supplement I to Part 230, the following amendments are made:
a. Under Section 230.2 Definitions, under (q) Periodic
statement, paragraph ii. is removed and paragraph iii. is redesignated
as paragraph ii.
b. Under Section 230.4 Account disclosures, under (a)(2) Requests,
paragraph 3. is revised and a new paragraph 4. is added.
c. Under Section 230.8 Advertising, under (a) Misleading or inaccurate
advertisements, a new paragraph 9. is added.
d. Under Section 230.8 Advertising, under (b) Permissible rates,
a new paragraph 4. is added.
e. Under Section 230.8 Advertising, under (e)(1) Certain media,
a new heading (e)(1)(i), and a new paragraph 1. are added.
f. A new Section 230.10 Requirements for electronic communication is
added at the end of Supplement I.
The amendments read as follows:
* * * * *
SUPPLEMENT I TO PART 230OFFICIAL STAFF INTERPRETATIONS
Section 230.4 Account disclosures
(a) Delivery of account disclosures
* * * * *
(a)(2) Requests
(a)(2)(i)
* * * * *
3. Timing for response. Ten business days is a reasonable time
for responding to requests for account information that consumers do not
make in person, including requests made by electronic communication.
4. Requests by electronic communication. Posting disclosures on
a depository institution's web site generally does not relieve the institution's
duty to provide disclosures upon request. If the consumer provides an
e-mail address, the institution may provide the disclosures electronically,
but the institution must either send the disclosures by e-mail or send
a notice to the consumer's e-mail address pursuant to § 230.10(d)(2)(i)
to inform the consumer where the disclosures are posted.
* * * * *
Section 230.8 Advertising
(a) Misleading or inaccurate advertisements
* * * * *
9. Electronic advertising. If an advertisement using electronic
communication displays a triggering term (such as a bonus or annual percentage
yield) the advertisement must clearly refer the consumer to the location
where the additional required information begins. For example, an advertisement
that includes a bonus or annual percentage yield may be accompanied by
a link that directly takes the consumer to the additional information.
(b) Permissible rates
4. Electronic communication. An interest rate may be stated only
if it is provided in conjunction with, but not more conspicuously than,
the annual percentage yield to which it relates. In an advertisement using
electronic communication, the consumer must be able to view both rates
simultaneously. This requirement is not satisfied if the consumer can
view the annual percentage yield only by use of a link that connects the
consumer to information appearing at another location.
* * * * *
(e)(1) Certain media
(e)(1)(i)
1. Internet advertisements. The exemption for advertisements made
through broadcast or electronic media does not extend to advertisements
made by electronic communication, such as advertisements posted on the
Internet or sent by e-mail.
* * * * *
Section 230.10 Electronic communication
(b) General rule
1. Relationship to the E-Sign Act. The E-Sign Act authorizes the
use of electronic disclosures. It does not affect any requirement imposed
under this part other than a provision that requires disclosures to be
in paper form, and it does not affect the content or timing of disclosures.
Electronic disclosures are subject to the regulation's format, timing,
and retainability rules and the clear and conspicuous standard. For example,
to satisfy the clear and conspicuous standard for disclosures, electronic
disclosures must use visual text.
2. Clear and conspicuous standard. An institution must provide
electronic disclosures using a clear and conspicuous format. Also, in
accordance with the E-Sign Act:
i. The institution must disclose the requirements for accessing and retaining
disclosures in that format;
ii. The consumer must demonstrate the ability to access the information
electronically and affirmatively consent to electronic delivery; and
iii. The institution must provide the disclosures in accordance with
the specified requirements.
3. Timing and effective delivery.
i. When a consumer opens an account on-line. When a consumer opens
an account on-line, the consumer must be required to access the disclosures
required under §230.4 before the account is opened or a service is
provided, whichever is earlier. A link to the disclosures satisfies the
timing rule if the consumer cannot bypass the disclosures before opening
the account. Or the disclosures in this example must automatically appear
on the screen, even if multiple screens are required to view the entire
disclosure. The institution is not required to confirm that the consumer
has read the disclosure.
ii. For disclosures provided periodically. Disclosures provided
by mail are timely based on when the disclosures are sent. Disclosures
posted at an Internet web site, such as periodic statements or change-in-terms
and other notices, are timely when the institution has both made the disclosures
available and sent a notice alerting consumer that the disclosures have
been posted. For example, under §230.5, institutions must give advance
notice to affected customers at least 30 calendar days in advance of certain
changes. For a change in terms notice posted on the Internet, an institution
must both post the notice and notify consumers of its availability at
least 30 days in advance of the change.
4. Retainability of disclosures. Depository institutions satisfy
the requirement that disclosures be in a form that the consumer may keep
if electronic disclosures are delivered in a format that is capable of
being retained (such as by printing or storing electronically). The format
must also be consistent with the information required to be provided under
101(c)(1)(C)(i) of the E-Sign Act about the hardware and software requirements
for accessing and retaining electronic disclosures.
5. Disclosures provided on depository institution's equipment.
A depository institution that controls the equipment providing electronic
disclosures to consumers (for example, a computer terminal located in
a depository institution's lobby or at a public kiosk) must ensure that
the equipment satisfies the regulation's requirements to provide timely
disclosures in a clear and conspicuous format and in a form that the consumer
may keep. For example, if disclosures are required at the time of an on-line
transaction, the disclosures must be sent to the consumer's e-mail address
or must be posted at another location such as the institution's Internet
web site, unless the institution provides a printer that automatically
prints the disclosures.
(d) Address or location to receive electronic communication
(d)(1)
1. Electronic address. A consumer's electronic address is an e-mail
address that is not limited to receiving communications transmitted solely
by the depository institution.
(d)(2)
1. Identifying account involved. A depository institution may
identify a specific account in a variety of ways and is not required to
identify an account by reference to the account number. For example, where
the consumer has only one deposit account, and no confusion would result,
the depository institution may refer to "your deposit account."
If the consumer has two accounts, the depository institution may, for
example, differentiate accounts by using terms such as "primary account"
and "secondary account" or by using a truncated account number.
2. 90-day rule. The actual disclosures provided to consumer must
be available for at least 90 days, but the institution has discretion
to determine whether they should be available at the same location for
the entire period.
(e) Redelivery
1. E-mail returned as undeliverable. If an e-mail to the consumer
(containing an alert notice or other disclosure) is returned as undeliverable,
the redelivery requirement is satisfied if, for example, the depository
institution sends the disclosure to a different
e-mail address or postal address that the depository institution has
on file for the consumer. Sending the disclosures a second time to the
same electronic is not sufficient if the depository institution has a
different address for the consumer on file.
By order of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March
27, 2001.
(signed) Robert deV. Frierson
Robert deV. Frierson
Associate Secretary of the Board
All circulars and documents are available on the Internet through the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Internet site, at http://www.frbsf.org/banking/letters/.
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO
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