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BOARD OF GOVERNORS

OF THE

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20551

DIVISION OF SUPERVISION 

AND REGULATION

SR 17-14

December 15, 2017

TO THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION

AT EACH FEDERAL RESERVE BANK

SUBJECT: Interagency Supervisory Examiner Guidance for Institutions Affected by a 

Major Disaster

Applicability: This guidance applies to financial institutions directly affected by an event that 

results in a Presidential declaration of a major disaster. The guidance also applies to institutions 

that may be located outside the disaster area, but have loans or investments to individuals located 

in the disaster area.

The Federal Reserve and the other federal financial institutions regulatory agencies,1 in 

consultation with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, have issued the attached examiner 

guidance to highlight the supervisory practices to be followed after a major disaster.2

 The 

supervisory approach described in the guidance provides examiners flexibility to conduct 

supervisory activities and formulate their supervisory responses, considering the issues 

confronting institutions affected by a major disaster. 

The interagency guidance describes factors that examiners should consider when 

assessing the financial condition of a supervised institution affected by a major disaster. In 

addition to providing information on assessing the various ratings components, the guidance 

directs examiners to review management’s effectiveness in addressing the immediate aftermath 

of the disaster as well as longer-term changes to an institution’s business markets and strategy. 

In assessing a financial institution’s management of problems related to a major disaster, 

 1

 The other federal financial institution regulatory agencies include: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the National Credit Union Administration.

2 Under section 401(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 12 U.S.C. 5170(a), 

the President may declare that a major disaster exists in a state. A “major disaster” is defined as any natural 

catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, 

earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, 

or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of 

sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major federal disaster assistance to supplement the efforts and available 

resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or 

suffering caused thereby, 12 U.S.C. 5122(2). A “state” means any state of the United States, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands, 12 U.S.C. 5122(4).
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examiners should consider the institution’s asset size, complexity, and risk profile. Examiners 

should also distinguish problems caused by the financial institution’s management and those 

caused by a major disaster.

In implementing the guidance, the Federal Reserve recognizes that each financial 

institution affected by a major disaster will appropriately need to focus on recovery efforts 

associated with its own staff and facilities. The Federal Reserve, as necessary, will reschedule 

examinations (consistent with statutory requirements), increase reliance on off-site monitoring, 

and consider requests to extend the time to file Call Reports and other regulatory reports. 

The Federal Reserve also recognizes that major disasters and their aftermath may 

adversely affect asset quality. Examiners should consider the increased amount of time needed 

for a financial institution to evaluate the effect of the disaster on the ability of borrowers to 

repay, assess the condition of collateral, or determine insurance proceeds in comparison to predisaster operations. Importantly, examiners should not criticize institutions’ efforts to prudently 

work with their borrowers, even though those efforts may result in some individual loans being 

adversely classified. 

The interagency guidance directly applies only to insured depository institutions and 

branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations. However, examiners should apply the 

same principles, as appropriate, to other institutions affected by a major disaster that are 

supervised by the Federal Reserve, including bank holding companies, savings and loan holding 

companies, and Edge Act and agreement corporations.

Reserve Banks should distribute this letter to appropriate supervisory and examination 

staff and to supervised institutions when a major disaster affects them. For questions related to 

this guidance, please contact Kwayne Jennings, Manager, Firm Oversight, at (202) 452-3088; 

and Rebecca Aldenderfer, Supervisory Financial Analyst, Regional Bank Supervision, at 

(202) 452-3160. In addition, questions may be sent via the Board’s public website.3

Maryann F. Hunter

Deputy Director

Attachment

• Interagency Supervisory Examiner Guidance for Institutions Affected by a Major 

Disaster

 3 See http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/contactus/feedback.aspx.
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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

National Credit Union Administration

Interagency Supervisory Examiner Guidance for Institutions

Affected by a Major Disaster

December 2017

Purpose

The federal financial institution regulatory agencies,

1 in consultation with the Conference of 

State Bank Supervisors, are jointly issuing this examiner guidance to outline the supervisory 

practices to be followed in assessing the condition of institutions2 directly affected by an event

that results in a Presidential declaration of a major disaster with individual assistance.

3

 This 

guidance also applies to institutions that may be located outside the disaster area, but have loans 

to or investments in individuals or entities located in the disaster area. Examiners should be 

flexible in their supervisory response after considering the unique and potential long-term nature 

of the issues confronting affected institutions. 

A major disaster generally has a devastating effect that can continue to impact the business 

activities of the institutions serving the affected area for an extended period. Some of these 

institutions may face extensive asset quality issues caused by business failures, interruptions of 

borrowers’ income streams, increases in borrowers’ operating costs, the loss of jobs, and 

uninsured or underinsured collateral damage. Further, as a result of a substantial loss in their tax 

and revenue base, state and local governments in the affected area may face major challenges in 

paying their obligations, which could adversely affect institutions with large investments in 

municipal securities and loans.

 1 The federal financial institution regulatory agencies include: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Board of 

Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the National 

Credit Union Administration (collectively, the supervisory agencies).

2 Institutions include insured depository institutions and branches and agencies of foreign banking organizations 

(FBOs) (collectively, “institutions”). 

3 Under section 401(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5170(a), 

the President may declare that a major disaster exists in a state. A “major disaster” is defined as any natural 

catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, 

earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, 

or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of 

sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major federal disaster assistance to supplement the efforts and available 

resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or 

suffering caused thereby, 42 U.S.C. 5122(2). A “state” means any state of the United States, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands, 42 U.S.C. 5122(4).
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The supervisory agencies understand institutions affected by a major disaster may need to focus 

on the recovery of personnel and physical operations. The supervisory agencies will work with 

those institutions to determine their needs and to reschedule any examinations, as needed. The 

supervisory agencies’ staff will continue to monitor all affected institutions through their off-site 

processes. Further, management at affected institutions experiencing significant operational 

difficulties may request an extension for filing quarterly Reports of Condition and Income or 

other reports.

Overall Supervisory Assessment

It is essential that the supervisory agencies maintain a clear understanding of the condition of 

each institution affected by a major disaster and the effectiveness of each institution’s business 

continuity plans. To promote consistency across the supervisory agencies, examiners will

continue to assign the component and composite ratings of impacted institutions in accordance 

with the definitions in the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System, commonly referred to 

as the CAMELS rating4 and the interagency Rating System for U.S. Branches and Agencies of 

Foreign Banking Organizations, commonly referred to as the ROCA rating.

5

 

When evaluating the composite and component ratings for CAMELS or ROCA at an institution 

affected by a major disaster, examiners should review management’s response plans and assess 

the reasonableness of those plans given the institution’s business strategy and operational 

capacity in the distressed economic and business environment. In particular, when assessing the 

management component, examiners should consider management’s effectiveness in responding 

to the changes in the institution’s business markets and whether the institution has addressed 

these issues in its longer-term business strategy and future response plans. 

The examiner’s assessment may result in assigning a lower component or composite rating for 

some affected institutions. However, in considering the supervisory response for institutions

accorded a lower rating, examiners should give appropriate recognition to the extent to which 

weaknesses are caused by external problems related to the major disaster and its aftermath. 

Examiners should consult with their supervisory agencies’ management to determine whether

supervisory action, if any, should be taken. Formal or informal administrative action that would 

ordinarily be considered for lower-rated institutions may not be necessary, provided the 

institution’s management has appropriately planned for continuity of operations; implemented 

prudent policies; and is pursuing realistic resolution of the issues confronting the institution. In 

instances where a formal or informal supervisory action is warranted, examiners should tailor 

their response to capabilities and efforts of the institution’s management in resolving the 

institution’s specific issues.

 4 Refer to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System 

Notice, 61 Fed. Reg. 67021 (December 19, 1996) available at https://www.ffiec.gov/press_register.htm. Examiners 

of federally insured credit unions will use the guidance in NCUA Letter to Credit Unions 07-CU-12, CAMEL Rating 

System, at https://www.ncua.gov/Resources/Documents/LCU2007-12.pdf, for assigning the CAMEL ratings.

5 See the Board’s Supervision and Regulation Letter (SR Letter) 00-14 Enhancements to the Interagency Program 

for Supervising the U.S. Operations of Foreign Banking Organizations, at pages 13 – 21, at 

https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/SRLETTERS/2000/sr0014a1.pdf. 
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Effectiveness of Institution’s Risk Assessment

Examiners should expect management at affected institutions to conduct initial risk assessments

and have a process for refining such assessments as more complete information becomes 

available and recovery efforts proceed. The institution’s risk assessment should reflect 

management’s best estimate of the institution’s asset quality, given the prevailing economic 

conditions in its business markets. In addition to determining the effect on asset quality, 

management should be able to explain the disaster’s implications on the institution’s earnings

and capital, as well as its effect on funding, liquidity, operations, and sensitivity to market risk.

The assessment of operational risk should address the effectiveness of the institution’s 

operational capability and its business continuity plan. Institution management should be able to 

explain its review and assessment methodology and demonstrate reasonable progress, given the 

circumstances. An institution that experienced heavy damage to its facilities or delays in key 

personnel returning to work may need more time to complete its initial operational risk 

assessment. 

Examiners should determine whether the risk assessments are sufficient in scope and content. In 

reviewing the assessments, examiners should recognize that the issues confronting affected 

institutions are complex and may involve protracted resolution. Examination scope may need to 

be adjusted depending on the quality and thoroughness of the risk assessment. The quality of an 

institution’s assessments can be considered, as appropriate, in the examiner’s assessment of 

CAMELS ratings or the ROCA rating.

Components of the CAMELS Rating or ROCA Rating

When assessing the component ratings for CAMELS or ROCA, examiners should consider the 

following:

Capital Adequacy6

When evaluating the capital component for affected institutions, examiners should consider any 

asset losses, extraordinary expenses, unexpected deposit growth, contingent liabilities and risks 

that were incurred as a result of a major disaster. If substantial declines in the affected 

institution’s capital ratios have occurred or are projected, examiners should determine whether 

management has developed a satisfactory capital restoration plan that provides for capital 

augmentation in a timely manner if the decline is not attributed to a temporary surge in deposits.

The supervisory agencies recognize affected institutions may experience significant temporary 

balance sheet growth due to unusually large deposit inflows from insurance proceeds or other 

funds. Such growth may result in a temporary decline in institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. If 

 6 Branches and agencies of FBOs do not maintain regulatory capital separate from their foreign parent organizations. 

Federal branches and agencies of FBOs are instead required to maintain capital equivalency deposits as set forth in 

12 CFR 28.15, and state-licensed branches and agencies may be subject to similar requirements through their 

respective state supervisors.
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such a situation results in a meaningful decline in regulatory capital, management should be 

prepared to discuss its plans for addressing the situation in light of the institution’s financial 

condition. In assessing supervisory options, the primary federal regulator will consider whether 

an institution maintains a fundamentally sound financial condition and evidence that a decline in 

regulatory capital ratios would be temporary. 

Asset Quality

When assessing asset quality, examiners should consider whether management has been able to 

identify all loans and investments substantially affected by a major disaster and any potential loss 

exposure. For secured loans, examiners should expect management to have a process for 

tracking information on the condition of collateral and the collectability and timing of insurance

proceeds. This analysis should be performed on an individual loan basis and supporting 

documentation should be included for significant credits. This process may necessitate a change 

in management’s loan review criteria to reflect the need to monitor loans affected by a major 

disaster more frequently. Examiners also should consider management’s efforts to address the 

following issues. 

Loan Reviews. Examiners should expect an institution’s loan review practices to be sufficient to 

verify that it is adequately identifying and reporting the risk in its portfolio. Examiners should 

identify any recourse arrangements with sold loans or other contractual agreements that may 

involve increased risk to the institution. 

Examiners should recognize that supporting file documentation may be limited due to unusual 

circumstances caused by the disaster. Examiners should verify the accuracy of management’s 

risk assessment by transaction testing and consider expanding the scope of the loan review if 

transaction testing indicates that management’s risk assessment is insufficient.

New Loans. In keeping with existing practices, examiners should review a sample of loans 

originated after a major disaster to determine whether the institution’s underwriting standards are 

appropriate. There may be a number of legitimate reasons why management may have eased 

underwriting standards after a major disaster to address the needs of its customer base. In 

addition, management may have changed its business strategy to focus on new lines of business 

or expand into new markets. Examiners should note any substantial changes in the institution’s 

lending practices and assess whether these activities are consistent with the institution's loan 

policies, the board of directors’ strategic plan, and prudent credit underwriting standards and 

administration practices. 

Credit Modifications. Examiners should recognize that the economic conditions in disasteraffected areas may influence an institution’s course of action as well as the timing of such 

action. Examiners generally should not criticize an institution that is attempting to work 

constructively with its borrowers in affected areas. Examiners should review an institution’s 

policies and procedures for providing a borrower with a credit renewal, extension, or 

modification. The supervisory agencies have found that prudent credit modifications are often 

in the best interest of the institution and the borrower. Institutions that implement prudent loan 

workout arrangements after reviewing a borrower’s financial condition after a major disaster 
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will not be subject to criticism for engaging in these efforts even if the restructured loans have 

weaknesses that result in adverse credit classification. 

In addition, renewed, extended, or modified loans to borrowers who have the ability to repay 

their debts according to reasonable modified terms will not be subject to adverse classification 

solely because the value of the underlying collateral has declined to an amount that is less than 

the loan balance. Examiners should review appropriate documentation to support 

management’s agreement with the borrower, including the borrower’s recovery plans, source of 

repayment, reliance on insurance proceeds, advancement of additional funds for rebuilding, 

value of additional collateral, and the condition of existing collateral. 

Regardless of the terms of the renewal, extension, or modification agreement, examiners should 

expect management to appropriately report credits that meet the definition of a troubled debt 

restructuring according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and 

recognize credit losses as soon as a loss can be reasonably estimated. Moreover, examiners 

should expect management to preserve the integrity of the institution’s internal loan grading 

methodology and maintain appropriate accrual status on affected loans.

Nonaccrual. Management may find it appropriate to allow borrowers in affected areas to defer 

payment of principal, interest, or both for a reasonable period of time with the expectation that 

the borrower will resume payments in the future. Nevertheless, accrued interest should be 

reversed (written off) when it is deemed uncollectible. Examiners should ensure that institutions

continue to follow applicable regulatory reporting requirements, as well as the institutions’

internal accounting policies, when reporting nonaccrual assets. 

Insurance Claims. In many cases, loan repayment may be dependent on borrowers settling the 

insurance claims that they filed with their insurance companies on insured properties. However, 

there may be uncertainty regarding the timing and amount of potential insurance claims. 

Examiners should consider the type, amount, and timing of proposed settlement offers. If an 

insurance company indicates a valid claim has been accepted, then the negotiated settlement 

amount normally would not be subject to adverse classification, barring any unusual issues, and 

examiners should use judgment in determining the appropriate classification for the balance of 

the loan, if any. If the validity of an insurance claim is in doubt or a protracted resolution is 

likely, then examiners should exercise judgment in classifying a loan based on the specific facts 

and circumstances.

Classification Standards. Examiners should rely upon existing credit classification standards for 

loans affected by a major disaster. The assessment of each loan should be based upon the 

fundamental characteristics affecting the collectability of that particular credit. Examiners

should review management’s assessment of the borrower’s repayment ability and financial 

condition as well as the institution’s collateral protection to determine the appropriate credit 

classification.

Examiners should apply appropriate credit classification and charge-off standards in cases where 

the information indicates a loan will not be repaid or the institution, despite its reasonable efforts, 

has been unable to establish contact with the borrower. Examiners should also assess the 
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reasonableness of management’s plans for pursuing foreclosure of collateral on nonperforming 

assets, given the unknown environmental risks and other factors that may affect the condition of 

the collateral. In some cases, the deferral of foreclosure may be the most prudent course of 

action.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL).

7 Examiners should review an institution’s

methodology for calculating the ALLL. In determining an appropriate ALLL, management 

should consider all information available about the collectability of the institution’s loan 

portfolio, including any changes in the institution’s lending practices as a result of a major 

disaster. Consistent with U.S. GAAP, the amounts included in the ALLL for estimated credit 

losses incurred as a result of a major disaster should represent probable losses that can be 

reasonably estimated. As an institution obtains additional information about loans to borrowers 

affected by a major disaster, management is expected to reflect revised estimates of loan losses 

in the ALLL and subsequent regulatory reports.

There may be a period of time when an institution has difficulty in accurately determining the 

collectability of loans to borrowers in the affected areas. Examiners should recognize that 

management may need more time than in normal economic conditions to evaluate the effect of a 

major disaster on the ability of the borrower to pay, assess the condition of underlying collateral, 

and determine potential insurance proceeds. Examiners should ensure management has 

maintained the ALLL at an appropriate level based on its best estimate of probable losses within 

a range of loss estimates.

Obligations of Taxing Authorities. Examiners should review the institution’s loan and 

investment portfolios to determine whether credit has been extended to taxing authorities via 

loans or through the purchase of state, county, parish, or other municipal obligations in areas that 

sustained damage during a major disaster. Communities in an affected area may be heavily 

dependent on local sales, hotel, property, and income tax revenues. These sources of income 

generally fall sharply after a major disaster, and the ultimate collection of such loans and 

investments may be adversely affected. Some loans and bonds may also be tied to specific 

facilities, such as hospitals, that may not resume operations for an extended period.

Examiners should ensure that affected institutions monitor their risk exposures in municipal 

bonds in order to assess whether those bonds continue to be the credit equivalent of an 

investment grade security and are appropriately classified, consistent with the Uniform 

Agreement on the Classification and Appraisal of Securities Held by Depository Institutions.

8

Many public obligors and issuers have insurance or have access to debt payment and other 

reserve funds that help ensure the full and timely repayment of principal and interest for the 

projected life of the asset or exposure. However, examiners should ensure that management is 

 7 Maintenance of an ALLL is not required for branches or agencies of FBOs.

8 See the Uniform Agreement on the Classification and Appraisal of Securities Held by Depository Institutions

(October 2, 2013) available at FDIC: FIL-51-2013, https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2013/fil13051a.pdf; 

OCC: OCC Bulletin 2013-28, https://www.occ.treas.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2013/bulletin-2013-28a.pdf; and 

Board: SR letter 13-18, https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1318a1.pdf.
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using all available information to ensure credit risk assessments are timely, accurate, and 

consistent with internal policies, as well as regulatory and accounting requirements. 

Real Estate Values. Affected areas and neighboring evacuee locations often experience

substantial fluctuations in real estate values after a major disaster. For both existing and new real 

estate loans, examiners should assess the institution’s policies and practices for valuing collateral 

in real estate markets that have experienced a substantial, but possibly temporary, decrease or 

increase in real estate values as a result of a major disaster. When reviewing an institution’s

estimates of collateral values, examiners should ascertain whether the values are based on 

assumptions that are prudent and realistic.

Appraisal Exceptions Related to Major Disasters. The supervisory agencies may exercise their 

authority to grant an exception to statutory and regulatory appraisal requirements in areas that the 

President declares a major disaster with individual assistance.9 If granted, such exceptions apply 

to all real estate-related financial transactions secured by real property in the affected area and 

are subject to conditions the supervisory agencies impose. To date, these conditions have 

primarily consisted of requiring institutions to determine and document that:

1. The transaction involves real property within the area declared a major disaster;

2. There is a binding commitment to fund the transaction that is made within a specified time 

frame after the disaster is declared; and,

3. The value of the real property supports an institution’s decision to enter into the transaction.

When an institution relies on a major disaster-related appraisal exception for a specific real 

estate-related transaction, the institution should provide sufficient documentation to support its 

credit decision and valuation of the collateral based on alternative valuation methods, including 

evaluations.

10 Examiners should continue to review institutions’ use of such exceptions to 

exempt real estate-related transactions from the appraisal regulations.

Other Assets and Premises. Examiners should determine whether the institution has acquired 

other assets, such as temporary equipment and office facilities to replace destroyed or unusable 

branches as well as temporary lodging facilities for employees whose homes have become 

uninhabitable. Examiners should assess the short- and long-term effect these assets may have on 

the institution’s operations and earnings to the extent warranted, including the disposal of such

 9 Section 2 of Depository Institutions Disaster Relief Act of 1992, which added section 1123 to Title XI of the 

Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, authorizes the supervisory agencies to make 

exceptions to statutory and regulatory appraisal requirements for certain transactions. These exceptions are 

available for transactions involving real property located in areas in which the President has determined a major 

disaster exists, pursuant to 42 USC 5170, provided that the exception would facilitate recovery from the major 

disaster and is consistent with safety and soundness. See 12 USC 3352.

10 See the Interagency Advisory on Use of Evaluations in Real Estate-Related Financial Transactions, (March 4, 

2016) available at: FDIC: https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2016/fil16016a.pdf; OCC: 

https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2016/bulletin-2016-8a.pdf; and Board: SR Letter 16-5, available at 

https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1605.htm.
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assets when no longer needed. Examiners should review management’s impairment assessment 

of destroyed or damaged long-lived assets after a major disaster.

Management Capability

When rating an institution’s management, existing supervisory policy instructs examiners to 

distinguish between problems caused by the institution’s management and those due to a major 

disaster. Management of an institution with problems related to a major disaster and its 

aftermath would warrant a higher rating than management that is otherwise substantially 

responsible for an institution’s problems, provided that prudent planning and policies are in place 

and management is pursuing realistic resolution of the institution's problems.

Many institutions affected by a major disaster may be confronted with unprecedented issues. In 

addition to an institution’s risk assessment, examiners should evaluate management based on the 

scope and thoroughness of the institution’s internal risk assessment and business continuity plan,

and, if necessary, its plan for business restoration. In assessing management, examiners should 

consider the institution’s asset size, complexity, and risk profile. While management of an 

affected institution should be rated on its ability to properly identify and manage these risks, 

examiners should give consideration to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding many of the 

decisions made immediately after a major disaster as well as the actions subsequently taken to 

resume operations.

Examiners should assess the effectiveness of an institution’s disaster recovery and business 

continuity plans and consider whether these plans need to be modified.11 This review should 

include an assessment of management’s ability to: 

• Communicate before, during, and after a major disaster, including:

o Addressing staffing issues, such as:

 Operating with limited staff due to personnel needing to respond to personal concerns 

arising from the major disaster;

 Identifying and informing essential personnel needed to conduct operations on how 

and where they will perform those functions; and

 Keeping staff informed of plans to share information throughout the major disaster;

o Apprising customers on ways to receive updated information regarding the institution’s

operational capabilities; and

o Notifying key third-party service providers and suppliers of the potential need to take 

preemptive action before the event and initiate business continuity plans after the event.

 11 For branches and agencies of FBOs emergency preparedness assessments and the effectiveness of business 

continuity plans should be considered as part of the assessment of operational controls.
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• Deal with extensive damage to facilities, equipment, and records, if needed, such as;

o Establishing temporary facilities;

o Obtaining replacement equipment and supplies;

o Handling and reproducing contaminated loan files and legal and collateral documents;

o Replacing contaminated cash and coins; and

o Handling contaminated safe deposit boxes and their contents.

• Retrieve and restore data systems, electronic information, and operational capabilities.

Risk Management of a Branch or Agency of a FBO

The aftermath of a major disaster will likely present different challenges to the FBO head office 

of a branch or agency as well as local management. When considering risk management of 

branches and agencies of FBOs, examiners should focus on the assessment factors outlined in the

Board’s SR Letter 00-14, Enhancements to the Interagency Program for Supervising the U.S. 

Operations of Foreign Banking Organizations 12 and consider these factors in the context of the 

major disaster. Examiners should evaluate the level of support provided by the home office in 

restoring operations and the appropriateness of risk management in light of the changing 

operating environment and economic conditions due to a major disaster. 

Earnings13

When evaluating the earnings of an affected institution, examiners should consider the duration 

of any reductions to core earnings caused by a major disaster. Examiners should also assess the 

quantity and quality of prior earnings as well as the influence that a major disaster may have on 

the institution’s future earnings potential. This assessment also should consider the adequacy 

and reasonableness of any revisions to the institution’s budget and strategic plan.

Liquidity

Many institutions affected by a major disaster may experience sharp fluctuations in liquidity

resulting from the receipt of Federal Emergency Management Agency payments, insurance 

proceeds, or other disaster-related funds, as well as outflows of municipal deposits, out-of-area 

funds, or other large deposits. In addition, collateral requirements for secured funding sources 

(such as a line of credit from a Federal Home Loan Bank) may be temporarily modified. 

Examiners should consider the nature and timing of disaster-related inflows and outflows when 

 12 SR Letter 00-14, available at: https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/SRLETTERS/2000/sr0014a1.pdf. Also 

see the “Federal Branches and Agencies Supervision” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook, (October 31, 2017) 

available at: https://occ.gov/publications/publications-by-type/comptrollers-handbook/federal-branchesagencies/pub-ch-federal-branches-agencies.pdf.

13 The ROCA rating does not contain a component rating for earnings.
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reviewing the adequacy of an institution’s liquidity and be cognizant of how management is 

employing any influx of liquid resources. 

Although the ROCA rating does not contain a liquidity component rating, funding, liquidity risk, 

and risk management are important factors in the assessment of branches and agencies of FBOs. 

Examiners should assess the effect of a major disaster on liquidity as part of the risk management 

component of the ROCA rating.

Sensitivity to Market Risk

Many institutions affected by a major disaster may experience temporary shifts in their interest 

rate risk profiles from changes in cash flows associated with the short-term effect of the disaster. 

For example, the amount or timing of cash flows may be altered by deterioration in loan and 

bond portfolios or by the prepayment of mortgages with insurance proceeds. 

Examiners should recognize that management may require a reasonable period of time to fully 

assess any changes to the institution’s interest rate risk profile and to distinguish between 

permanent structural changes versus short-term fluctuations during a transitional period. 

Examiners should determine whether management has procedures for reviewing and updating its 

asset and liability management models for any unusual fluctuations in deposit balances, 

adjustments to loan payments, changes in interest rates, and other modifications to ensure the 

integrity, accuracy, and reasonableness of the models.

The ROCA rating does not contain a component for market sensitivity. However, examiners 

should consider sensitivity in the form of the interest rate risk profile, risk management, and 

effects from a major disaster in the assessment of the risk management component of the ROCA 

rating.