These recordkeeping and reporting requirements are needed to promote and monitor bank security and to ensure bank safety. The information is used by banks, the OCC, and other agencies for bank security and law enforcement purposes.
The increase in burden is due to the integration of the OTS with the OCC. The additional respondents are entities formerly regulated by the OTS.
The OCC uses the information to ensure that national banks carefully review the effectiveness of their security systems and comply with Federal law. The information collection ensures that national banks conduct their activities in accordance with safe and sound principles. A national bank's board of directors uses the information to ensure that the bank's security system is adequate.
The OCC uses the SAR and the supporting documentation retained by national banks for supervisory purposes. The information collection identifies suspicious transactions that could pose a threat to national banks.
FinCEN and the Internal Revenue Detroit Computing Center (DCC) operate the computer system containing the information collected from banks. FinCEN and DCC provide on-line access to the information to representatives of bank regulators and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
National banks use the compliance program to ensure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act. Bank examiners review the written procedures and board approval in the examination process.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.