WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 13, 2006) The federal financial
regulatory agencies today announced a public service campaign to aid in the
financial recovery of victims of last years hurricanes.
Although four months have passed since Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita made landfall, some bank customers have not yet been in contact with
their lenders. Communication is an
essential step in the road to financial recovery.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the National Credit Union
Administration and state financial regulators are encouraging banks, thrifts,
and credit unions to continue to work with borrowers affected by the
hurricanes. Assistance may include waiving fees, lowering interest
rates, extending repayment schedules, or deferring principal or
interest for an additional period, where appropriate. For these options to be considered, however,
it is essential that the borrower contact his or her lender.
The federal financial agencies continue to work to meet the
needs of federally insured depository institutions and their customers.
Additional guidance is available at the Federal Financial Institution
Examination Council's Web site (http://www.ffiec.gov).
The public service announcements (PSAs) are being
distributed to print and radio media outlets with the highest concentrations of
people affected by the hurricane. The
PSAs are also available for download and use from the OCC Web site at http://www.occ.gov/hurricane.htm. If customers need assistance contacting their lender, please call
the toll-free FDIC number, 877-275-3342.
Related Financial Hurricane Information Links:
·
FFIECs Web site, http://www.ffiec.gov/katrina.htm
·
Federal Reserve, http://www.federalreserve.gov/hurricanekatrina.htm
·
FDIC, http://www.fdic.gov/hurricane/
·
NCUA, http://www.ncua.gov/Hurricane/
·
OCCs Web site, http://www.occ.gov/hurricane.htm
·
OTS's Web site http://www.ots.treas.gov/
# # #
Media Contacts:
Federal Reserve Susan
Stawick (202) 452-2955
FDIC Elizabeth A. Ford (202) 898-6993
NCUA Nick Owens (703) 518-6336
OCC Bryan
Hubbard (202) 874-5770
OTS Kevin Petrasic (202)
906-6677