Information Related to Hurricane Katrina

Last updated September 22, 2008.

If you have questions about your national bank, you may contact the OCC's Customer Assistance Group via our toll free number, 1-800-613-6743, by e-mail at: customer.assistance@occ.treas.gov, or online. A member of the Customer Assistance Group will be available to assist you.

Contact Your Lender Public Service Announcements (PSA)
The federal bank, thrift and credit union regulators are sponsoring public service announcements (PSAs) to encourage individuals adversely affected by the hurricanes of 2005 to contact their lenders.
More about the PSAs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers about Banking Services Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Recent Federal News Regarding Banks and Katrina

• OCC 2008-26, Responding to Disasters: Supervisory Guidance



• OCC 2008-24, Community Reinvestment Act: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita



• Reminder of Supervisory Guidance for Financial Institutions Affected by Hurricane Katrina
  
  
• OCC 2006-6, Community Reinvestment Act: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita WORD ASCII (2/09/2006)
  
  
• OCC 2006-5, Hurricane Katrina: Guidance to Examiners (2/03/2006)
  
  
• IRS Issues New Publication Especially for Hurricane Victims explains the tax law changes and relief provisions (1/30/2006)
  
  
• Agencies Encourage Insured Depository Institutions to Continue Efforts to Meet the Financial Needs of Customers Recovering from the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
  
  
• FFIEC Agencies Announce Additional Guidance for Financial Institutions in Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
  
  
• FFIEC Forms Working Group to Address Financial Industry Issues After Hurricane Katrina
  
  
• Summary of Katrina Assistance Programs for Financial Institutions
  
  
• Update to U.S. Treasury Guidance on Cashing FEMA Disaster Assistance Checks and Government Benefit Checks Issued by the U.S. Treasury
  
  
• Emergency Cash Orders
  
  
• Procedures for Handling Contaminated Cash and Checks
  
  
• U.S. Treasury Urges Flexibility in Cashing Government Checks
  
  
• Additional Guidance on FEMA and Government Benefit Checks
  
  
• U.S. Treasury Urges Waiver of ATM Surcharges for Katrina Evacuees
  
  

• 2/03/2006
  Federal Bank and Thrift Supervisors Announce Banking Forum in New Orleans
  Release 2006-9
• 1/13/2006
  Federal Financial Regulators Announce Public Service Campaign to Help Hurricane Victims
  Release 2006-4
• 10/14/2005
  OCC 2005-36, Statement and Order: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Real Estate Appraisal Exemptions in Major Disaster Areas
  OCC Bulletin
• 10/04/2005
  OCC and Operation HOPE Sign Agreement on Hurricane Relief
  Release 2005-100
• 09/28/2005
  News Release 2005-96, Agencies Announce Orders Exempting Bank Transfer Agents Affected by Hurricane Katrina
  News Release 2005-96 | Order (PDF)
• 09/19/2005
  OCC 2005-33, Hurricane Katrina: Supervisory Guidance.
  Guidance and new sections of the OCC's Web site and BankNet provide help and Katrina-related information and links for national banks and their customers.
  OCC Bulletin Proclamation (DOC)
• 09/09/2005
  The OCC encourages national banks to remain open Sept. 10-11
  Memo to national banks
• 09/02/2005
  Agencies Encourage Insured Depository Institutions to Assist Displaced Customers
  Release 2005-87
• 08/29/2005
  OCC Encourages National Banks to Work with Customers Affected by Hurricane Katrina
  Release 2005-83
• 08/25/2005
  OCC Allows National Bank Offices Affected by Hurricane Katrina to Close
  News Release 2005-82 | Proclamation (PDF)

Additional Resources
A variety of Federal agencies have programs established to help individuals and businesses recover from the affects of Hurricane Katrina and have established special Web sites for those seeking the information.

• Internal Revenue Service: IRS Issues New Publication Especially for Hurricane Victims
  
• Fannie Mae: Hurricane relief information from Fannie Mae
• USA.gov: Answers from across the Federal Government
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov/katrina
• Federal Reserve Board: FRB Katrina resources
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Katrina response pages
• U.S. Department of Commerce: Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: www.hud.gov/katrina
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: http://www.sec.gov/katrina.htm
• National Credit Union Administration: http://www.ncua.gov/Hurricane/

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