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OCC 2007-49
Subject: Pandemic Planning
Date: December 18, 2007 To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, Federal Branches and Agencies, Technology Service Providers and Software Vendors, Department and Division Heads, and All Examining Personnel
Description: Interagency GuidanceThe Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has issued the attached Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning for use in identifying the continuity planning that should be in place to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic. This guidance expands upon the contents of the Interagency Advisory on Influenza Pandemic Preparedness issued in March 2006. Pandemic planning presents unique challenges to national banks. Unlike most natural or technical disasters and malicious acts, the impact of a pandemic is much more difficult to determine because of the anticipated difference in scale and duration. As a result of these differences, no individual or organization is safe from the potential adverse effects of a pandemic event. Experts believe that the most significant challenge may be the severe staffing shortages that will likely result from a pandemic outbreak. The FFIEC agencies believe the potentially significant effects a pandemic could have on an institution justify establishing plans to address how each institution will manage a pandemic event. Accordingly, an institution's business continuity plan should include:
The traditional BCP methodologies detailed in the FFIEC Business Continuity Planning Booklet provide national banks an excellent framework for developing and/or updating their pandemic plan, as well as a means to integrate these five key activities into the final pandemic plan. In addition, the booklet references comprehensive U.S. Government agencies and industry association guidance that can further assist national banks in developing their pandemic plans. For questions concerning the guidance, please contact Jim Devlin, Special Advisor for Operational Risk at (202) 874-5490. Mark O'Dell Related Links |