FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HOTLINE
Relating to Terrorist Activity

August 5, 2004 - Financial institutions are encouraged to report suspicious transactions that may relate to terrorist activity by calling the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HOTLINE, 1-866-556-3974. It is operational 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The purpose of the HOTLINE is to facilitate the immediate transmittal of this information to law enforcement.

This HOTLINE provides law enforcement and other authorized recipients of Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) information with details of the suspicious activity in an expedited fashion. Using the HOTLINE is voluntary and is not a substitute for an institution's responsibility to file a SAR in accordance with applicable regulations.

Financial institutions may also contact their local FBI field office regarding terrorist-related transactions that require the immediate attention of law enforcement. Contact information for FBI field offices is available on the FBI website at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm or may be obtained from their listing in the front of your local phone book.

For additional information please see a recent statement from the Secretary of the Treasury, John W. Snow, as well as information previously issued by the Department of the Treasury dated October 11, 2001.