OCC 97-7
Subject: Certification of National Bank Documents  Description: New
Procedures for Requesting
                                          Certification

TO:  Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, All
     Examining Personnel, and Department and Division Heads

PURPOSE

The Communications Division recently assumed the task of
certifying national bank documents.  Document certification was
formerly done by the Bank Organization and Structure Division. 
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform national bank
management of the requirements necessary to request certified
documents from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(OCC).

TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS PROVIDED

1.   Certification of Corporate Existence   a one-page document
     that states that a specific national bank (legal name, 
     location, and charter number) holds a valid certificate to
     transact the business of banking on the date of the
     certification.

2.   Certification of Charter   a one-page document that states
     that a true and complete copy of the national bank's charter
     certificate is attached.

3.   Certification of Corporate Title Change   a one-page
     document that states that a true and complete copy of the
     national bank's title change document  is attached. 

4.   Certification of Articles of Association   a one-page
     document that states that a true and complete copy of the
     national bank's articles of association is attached.

5.   Certification of Merger   a one-page document that states
     that a true and complete copy of the national bank's
     official merger certification is attached.

6.   Certification of Fiduciary Powers   a one-page document that
     states that a specific national bank holds fiduciary powers
     on the date of the certification.

7.   Certification of Declaration of Insolvency   a one-page
     document that states that a true and complete copy of a
     declaration of insolvency and appointment of the Federal
     Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver of a failed
     national bank is attached.




Since the OCC does not require national banks to file bylaws and
amendments thereto, the OCC cannot certify these documents.       
                                                   

DISCUSSION

The certification process involves a search of files maintained
in the Comptroller's Office.  Particular attention must be given
to structural changes brought about by mergers, purchase and
assumption transactions, consolidations, corporate title changes,
amendments to articles of association, and the establishment of
branches.  Each request for a certification requires: locating a
particular bank's file, researching that file for documents that
have been requested, removing and duplicating the documents, and
preparing the certification that carries the seal of the
Comptroller's Office.

Because of the extensive research required to identify and
prepare documents for certification, the OCC is unable to prepare
documents to meet unreasonably short deadlines.  The OCC will
process most certification requests within 10 business days from
the date it receives the request.

PROCEDURES

Individuals requiring certified documents should submit their
requests to:

                    Comptroller of the Currency
                    ATTN: Disclosure Officer
                    Communications Division
                    Mail Stop 3-2
                    Washington, DC  20219

or by facsimile to (202) 874-5263.  Requests may also be
submitted electronically to FOIA-PA@occ.treas.gov.  If the same
request is sent more than once (for example, once by facsimile
and once by U. S. mail), the requester will be charged for each
certification.

Requests must state the type of certification sought and the name
and city and state location of the bank for which the
certification is being requested.  Requesters will get faster
service if they include the OCC charter number of the bank.




Upon receipt of a request, the OCC will research and prepare the
certification and respond within 10 business days.  An invoice
for fees arising from the request will be included with the
certification.

The OCC cannot accept telephone requests for certifications, and
cannot provide oral certification of a bank's corporate
existence.

FEES

The fees for processing certifications are established in
accordance with 12 CFR 5.5.  Each year the fees are published in
the issuance "Notice of the Comptroller of the Currency Fees." 
As of January 1, 1997, the standard fee is $100 per document,
plus $10 for each copy of the same document.  All requests for
return by express mail must include a prepaid, preaddressed
express mail envelope marked for billing to a valid account
number.  That envelope will be used to return the certification. 
An additional fee may be assessed for requests requiring
extensive research.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Questions concerning this issuance may be directed to Frank D.
Vance Jr., Disclosure Officer, Communications Division at (202)
874-4700.





                                
Matthew Roberts
Senior Deputy Comptroller for
Public Affairs
Date:     January 17, 1997