Office of Thrift Supervision

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
National Credit Union Administration
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Office of Thrift Supervision

FFIEC Releases Frequently Asked Questions on Guidance Entitled Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) member agencies today released a frequently asked questions document (FAQs) to aid in the implementation of the interagency guidance on Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment issued October 12, 2005.

The authentication guidance, which applies to both retail and commercial customers, specifically addresses the need for risk-based assessment, customer awareness, and security measures to reliably authenticate customers remotely accessing their financial institutions’ Internet-based financial services. The FAQs are designed to assist financial institutions and their technology service providers in conforming to the guidance by providing information on the scope of the guidance, the timeframe for compliance, risk assessments, and other issues.

A copy of the FAQ is Attached <

Media Contacts:

Federal Reserve	Deborah Lagomarsino	(202)  452-2955
FDIC	David Barr	(202)  898-6992
OCC	Dean DeBuck	(202)  874-5770
NCUA	Cherie Umbel	(703)  518-6330
OTS	Chris Smith	(202)  906-6677

The Office of Thrift Supervision, an office of the Department of the Treasury, regulates and supervises the nation's thrift industry. OTS's mission is to ensure the safety and soundness of, and compliance with consumer protection laws by, thrift institutions, and to support their role as home mortgage lenders and providers of other community credit and financial services. OTS also oversees the activities and operations of thrift holding companies that own or control thrift institutions. Copies of OTS news releases and other documents are available at the OTS web page at www.ots.treas.gov.

Created: Tuesday, 8/15/2006