SR 15-5 / CA 15-2:

Guidance to Encourage Financial Institutions' Youth Savings Programs and Address Related Frequently Asked Questions

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20551

DIVISION OF BANKING
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

DIVISION OF CONSUMER
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

SR 15-5 / CA 15-2
February 24, 2015
Revised November 9, 2017
Attachment Reposted November 9, 2017

On November 9, 2017, certain citations and webpage links in the attached guidance were updated.

TO THE OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION AND APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY AND EXAMINATION STAFF AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE

SUBJECT:

Guidance to Encourage Financial Institutions' Youth Savings Programs and Address Related Frequently Asked Questions

Applicability to Community Banking Organizations:  This guidance applies to insured depository institutions supervised by the Federal Reserve, including those with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets.

The Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (as members of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission), and the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network are issuing the attached guidance regarding youth savings programs.

The guidance is intended to encourage financial institutions1 to develop and implement programs to expand the financial capability of youth and build opportunities for financial inclusion for more families.  The guidance also addresses frequently asked questions that may arise as financial institutions collaborate with schools, local and state governments, non-profit organizations, and corporate entities to facilitate youth savings and financial education programs.

The guidance does not impose additional compliance or examination requirements on financial institutions or examiners, respectively.  Rather, the guidance is intended to clarify the applicability of existing legal and regulatory requirements in a manner intended to remove perceived barriers for financial institutions to establish school-based youth savings programs.

Reserve Banks are asked to distribute this letter to the supervised organizations in their districts and to appropriate supervisory staff.  Questions regarding this letter should be directed to the following individuals:

  • Division of Consumer and Community Affairs:  for general questions, Amal Patel, Senior Supervisory Consumer Financial Services Analyst, at (202) 912-7879; and for operational questions, Tim Robertson, Manager, at (202) 452-2565.
  • Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation:  for questions pertaining to the Customer Identification Program rule in the USA PATRIOT Act, contact Koko Ives, Manager, at (202) 973-6163; or Jennifer White, Supervisory Financial Analyst, at (202) 452-3964.

In addition, institutions may send questions via the Board’s public website.2

signed by
Michael S. Gibson
Director
Division of Banking
Supervision and Regulation

signed by
Eric S. Belsky
Director
Division of Consumer
and Community Affairs

Notes:
  1. The guidance uses the term "financial institution" or "institution" to refer to all federally insured depository institutions.  Return to text
  2. http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/contactus/feedback.aspx  Return to text
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Last Update: November 09, 2017