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Website Policies
Access to or use of the FDIC website constitutes consent to the following terms. The FDIC has taken reasonable measures to ensure that the information and data presented on this website is accurate and current. However, the FDIC makes no express or implied warranty regarding such information or data, and hereby expressly disclaims all legal liability and responsibility to persons or entities who use or access this site and its content, based on their reliance on any information or data that is available through this website. The information available on this website is not intended to constitute and should not be considered as legal advice, nor is it intended to substitute for obtaining legal advice from competent, independent, legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Transmission and receipt of this information is not intended to create and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. This website does not purport to authoritatively interpret current federal statutes, regulations, orders or other federal authority, nor does it bind the FDIC or any other federal agency or entity with regard to the matters presented. The content of this website is not designed or intended to provide authoritative financial, accounting, investment, or other professional advice which may be reasonably relied on by its readers. If expert assistance in this area is required, the services of a qualified professional should be sought. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacture, or otherwise does not constitute an endorsement, a recommendation, or a favoring by the FDIC or the United States government. The FDIC website provides links to other websites for convenience and informational purposes only. Users should be aware that when they select a link on the FDIC's website to an external website, they are leaving the FDIC's site. Linked sites are not under the control of FDIC, and FDIC is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. FDIC is not responsible for any transmission received from a linked site. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by FDIC of the site, its content, advertisers or sponsors. External sites may contain information that is copyrighted with restrictions on reuse. Permission to use copyrighted materials must be obtained from the original source and cannot be obtained from the FDIC. This government computer system employs software security programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Such attempts are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. This general disclaimer is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other disclaimers found on pages, applications or programs within this site. In addition, the terms of this disclaimer extend to the FDIC, its directors, officers, and employees. Information Quality Introduction Background The FDIC takes pride in the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information that it disseminates to the public. Before any information or data are released, the FDIC utilizes an established set of quality procedures to ensure accuracy and value. Definitions
FDIC Information Quality Guidelines The FDIC uses proven practices and standard review methods for ensuring quality and its key constituents: objectivity, utility, and integrity. The FDIC recognizes the need to address these constituents in unique ways. Objectivity refers to the accuracy, reliability, and unbiased nature of the information. The FDIC's information products are presented in an unbiased, clear, complete and well-documented manner. The FDIC uses a variety of methods to achieve objectivity, utilizing both internal and external resources. It uses highly reliable review sources for corroboration and seeks public comment as appropriate. It also conducts specialized surveys and peer reviews using methodologies that are consistent with generally accepted industry standards for all aspects of survey design and implementation. The FDIC makes both original and supporting data and the source of the data available when appropriate. The Corporation's methods are transparent unless it must protect proprietary or confidential information. Transparency is achieved by referencing sources, identifying statistical methods employed, and utilizing sound research and analytical techniques. The FDIC has several specialized committees that conduct cross-divisional reviews to ensure information currency and work together to modify or change some of the Corporation's major publications. Data provided to the FDIC for various outputs, including statistical releases and consumer education and guidance, are subjected to a variety of informational editing processes and levels of review. Utility refers to the usefulness of information to its intended users. The FDIC seeks to ensure utility by regularly conducting structured reviews of key information output products to ensure they are current. The Corporation also continually seeks feedback from its target audiences to evaluate the utility of the products it disseminates. The FDIC strives to make its key information distributions available through its website in order to enhance the material's availability to the public. FDIC subject matter experts are actively involved in the banking and regulatory industry to ensure timeliness and value in the presentation of the Corporation's distributed products. Integrity refers to the security of information from unauthorized access or revision to ensure that the information is not compromised through corruption or falsification. Secure information systems are essential to providing high-quality information to the public and to protect critical systems and information. The FDIC has instituted a comprehensive set of policies, procedures, guidelines and controls for security. FDIC Complaint and Appeals Process If you believe that information disseminated by the FDIC does not comply with OMB or FDIC guidelines, you may seek correction of this information by submitting a "Section 515 Complaint" to the FDIC, in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section. These are known as Section 515 Complaints because the FDIC's data quality guidelines are issued pursuant to Section 515 of Public Law 106-554. The existence of the Section 515 procedure does not preclude you from contacting the FDIC by other methods to inquire about information disseminations or requesting corrections. On occasion, the FDIC may disseminate a study, analysis, or other information prior to taking final agency action or issuing an information product. In such cases, the FDIC will consider a Section 515 Complaint relating to the study, analysis or other information only where: (1) the FDIC determines that a response in advance of the final agency action or information product would not unduly delay issuance of the agency action or information product and; (2) you demonstrate a reasonable likelihood that you will suffer actual harm from the FDIC's dissemination if the FDIC does not resolve your complaint prior to the final agency action or information product. By submitting a Section 515 complaint, the FDIC will track your complaint separately from other informal inquiries and you will have an appeal right if you disagree with the FDIC's initial response. How to Submit a Section 515 Complaint with the FDIC
In order to be considered a Section 515 Complaint by the FDIC, your request must:
The complainant has the responsibility of clearly presenting the basis for a Section 515 Complaint. As a preliminary matter, the FDIC may determine that your complaint does not meet the threshold requirements for processing. For example, the FDIC may decline to process complaints that do not contain sufficient information; or request correction of information not covered by the guidelines. The FDIC may also reject or deny Section 515 Complaints that do not contain the required information or are too general or vague for the FDIC to make a determination regarding the validity of the complaint. You may seek review of such determinations under the appeals process described below. Review of Section 515 Complaints by the FDIC The FDIC will make a good faith effort to respond to complaints in writing within 60 calendar days of receipt. If your request requires more than 60 calendar days to resolve, the FDIC will advise you that more time is required, state the reason(s) more time is required and provide you with an estimated decision date. The format of the response will depend on the character and volume of requests. For example, if the FDIC receives numerous requests concerning the same data or information, it may provide a response through a press release or on its website. Other requests may receive an individual response by letter, fax or email. Complainant's Right to an Appeal
Correction Requests Received Privacy Statement FDIC Publishing Policy Limited English Proficiency The FDIC conducts a variety of programs and activities designed to address the concerns of consumers and providers of financial services. The FDIC's most innovative program in this regard is the Money Smart financial education curriculum. This program helps those outside the financial mainstream enhance their money management skills and build confidence in their use of banking services. The curriculum is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian. The FDIC's popular deposit insurance information brochure, "Your Insured Deposit," and the simplified brochure, "Deposit Insurance Summary," describe the FDIC's rules for deposit insurance coverage of insured depository institutions and answers frequently asked questions about the FDIC's insurance rules. These brochures are available online and in hard copy in the following languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese — Traditional, Chinese — Simplified, and Tagalog. Please periodically consult the FDIC website for updates. The FDIC's video — Overview on Deposit Insurance Coverage — explains how deposit insurance works with specific emphasis on the most common ownership categories used by individuals and families. This video is available in English and Spanish on FDIC's website, FDIC's YouTube page, and in DVD. The FDIC makes a link available to the FDIC's Spanish language materials via an "En Español" link in the footer of every page of the FDIC.gov website. The FDIC's plan is to provide meaningful access to its programs and activities to persons with limited English proficiency. The FDIC will continue to evaluate and expand its programs and activities in an effort to better serve LEP persons interested in receiving information regarding banking services. This website will be updated as publications and information in other language options become available. Contacting the FDIC about This Website FDIC Webmaster Electronic mail is not necessarily secure. You should be very cautious when sending electronic mail containing sensitive, confidential information. As an alternative, you should give consideration to sending it by postal mail. |
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Last Updated 1/12/2012 | webmaster@fdic.gov |