I am pleased to present the latest in our series of online reports to the financial services industry about issues and concerns raised to the FDIC Office of the Ombudsman (OO). This report covers the period January 1 through June 30, 2008.

During the first half of the year, 507 bankers contacted the OO requesting assistance. In addition, OO staff spoke with 183 financial industry representatives through outreach visits, telephone calls, and industry-sponsored conferences.

Bankers continue to express overall satisfaction with the FDIC, and topics of concern communicated to the OO remain virtually unchanged from previous OO reports. For example, bankers' fear of an overreaction by Congress to the sub-prime lending issue has not abated. We welcome institutions' suggestions and concerns about the FDIC in its supervisory role. The OO summarizes these comments for FDIC senior management's review without attribution to the institutions to eliminate the possibility of retaliation. In addition to Regional Ombudsmen, OO specialists in Washington, D.C., are available to assist on any matter, regardless of your location. Please visit our Web site for more information.

During this reporting period the FDIC experienced four bank failures which elevated public concern about deposit insurance coverage. The OO understands that while deposit insurance is a complex topic, financial institutions want depositors to be informed about their coverage. Unfortunately, customers of failed institutions occasionally complain of being "misled" about deposit insurance coverage. As a service to our readers the OO devotes this report to resources available from the FDIC that may be used as training and reference material for your staff and customers.

The OO's last report identified our Regional Ombudsmen, their assigned regions and contact information. This summer, Regional Ombudsman Sandy Jesberger became field supervisor for compliance in the Dallas Field Office. The OO is in the process of filling the Regional Ombudsman position created by Sandy's departure.

Deposit Insurance

The FDIC has a number of resources available to explain deposit insurance coverage, and encourages bankers to use them to provide customers with accurate deposit insurance information. For example, consumers with deposits governed by a formal trust, whether revocable or irrevocable, may be directed to FDIC experts who can evaluate the FDIC deposit insurance coverage for those trusts. Because this evaluation would be limited to FDIC deposit insurance coverage, independent legal counsel should be consulted for estate planning purposes. FDIC Deposit Insurance experts may be reached toll-free at (877) 275-3342.

Another resource for customers is FDIC Consumer News. This publication often addresses deposit insurance concerns from the consumer perspective. For example, the Summer 2008 edition of FDIC Consumer News includes answers to common questions about deposit insurance. FDIC Consumer News is free and may be reprinted in whole or in part and distributed in lobbies and branches without advance permission. The FDIC offers an electronic version that looks like the printed publication and can easily be reproduced in any quantity. The electronic version has space on the back page intentionally left blank so an organization may add its name, logo, a special message and/or mailing information. FDIC Consumer News can be read or printed at FDIC Consumer News.

The following resources are available on the FDIC Web Site (www.fdic.gov) under Quick Links for Bankers. These resources will help your staff understand deposit insurance.

• Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) - Banker's Version
• Financial Institution Employee's Guide to Deposit Insurance
• Your Insured Deposits
• Videos on Deposit Insurance
• Insuring Your Deposits

The following additional resources are available on the FDIC Web Site under Quick Links for Consumers. These resources will help your customers understand deposit insurance.

• Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) - Online Version
• When a Bank Fails - Facts for Depositors, Creditors, and Borrowers
• FDIC's Depositor Bill of Rights
• Uninsured Investments
• Your Investments: Consumer Facts
• Failed Banks

Two additional resources are located under the deposit insurance tab at the hyperlink Are My Deposits Insured? on the fdic.gov home page.

• Deposit Insurance Publications, Videos, and CD-ROMS Online Order Form
• Insuring Your Deposits (Basic Guide)

NOTE: If you have comments or suggestions about this semiannual report, please contact FDIC Ombudsman Cottrell Webster at (703) 562-6040, or by e-mail at cwebster@fdic.gov. To receive e-mail notifications of future OO semiannual reports as soon as they are posted to the FDIC's Web site, follow the instructions at E-Mail updates.