FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair today issued the following statement regarding Wal-Mart's announcement to withdraw its application to open an industrial loan company (ILC):

"Wal-Mart made a wise choice. This decision will remove the controversy surrounding their intentions. They don't need an ILC to play an important role in expanding access to financial services, they can do so by partnering with banks and others. We look forward to working with Wal-Mart in meeting the need for low-cost financial services across all populations."

Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 8,681 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars – insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). PR-23-2007