Supervision and Regulation Letters

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SR 20-3 / CA 20-2:

Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning

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

DIVISION OF
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

DIVISION OF CONSUMER
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

SR 20-3 / CA 20-2
March 10, 2020

THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION AT EACH FEDERAL RESERVE BANK AND TO INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE

SUBJECT:

Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning

Applicability:  This letter is relevant to all institutions supervised by the Federal Reserve.

The member agencies of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) recently updated guidance identifying actions that financial institutions should take to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic.1 As discussed in the attached Interagency Statement on Pandemic Planning, financial institutions should periodically review related risk management plans, including business continuity plans, to ensure that they are able to continue to deliver products and services in a wide range of scenarios and with minimal disruption.2 With the issuance of this interagency statement, SR letter 07-18, "FFIEC Guidance on Pandemic Planning," and SR letter 06-5, "Influenza Pandemic Preparedness," are superseded.

Reserve Banks are asked to distribute this letter to the Federal Reserve-supervised institutions in their districts, as well as to their supervisory and examination staff. Questions regarding the revised guidance should be addressed:

  • Division of Supervision and Regulation:  Matthew Hayduk, Manager, Systems and Operational Resiliency Policy section, at 202-973-6190.
  • Division of Consumer and Community Affairs:  Phyllis Harwell, Associate Director, at (202) 452-3658.

In addition, questions may be sent via the Board's public website.3

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

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

Supersedes:
  • SR letter 07-18, "FFIEC Guidance on Pandemic Planning"
  • SR letter 06-5, "Influenza Pandemic Preparedness"
Attachments:
Notes:
  1. Refer to the FFIEC March 6, 2020, press release at https://www.ffiec.gov/press/pr030620.htm.  Return to text.
  2. Additional information is available in the FFIEC Business Continuity Management Examination Handbook at https://ithandbook.ffiec.gov/it-booklets.aspx.  Return to text.
  3. http://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/contactus/feedback.aspx  Return to text.
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Last Update: March 10, 2020