The FR 2644 is a balance sheet report
that is collected as of each Wednesday from an authorized
stratified sample of 875 domestically chartered commercial banks
and U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks. The FR 2644 is the
only source of high-frequency data used in the analysis of current
banking developments. The FR 2644 collects sample data that are
used to estimate universe levels using data from the quarterly
commercial bank Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (FFIEC
031, FFIEC 041, and FFIEC 051; OMB No. 7100-0036) and the Report of
Assets and Liabilities of U.S. Branches and Agencies of Foreign
Banks (FFIEC 002; OMB No. 7100-0032) (Call Reports). Data from the
FR 2644, together with data from other sources, are used to
construct weekly estimates of bank credit, balance sheet data for
the U.S. banking industry, sources and uses of banks’ funds, and to
analyze current banking and monetary developments. The Board
publishes the data in aggregate form in the weekly H.8 statistical
release, Assets and Liabilities of Commercial Banks in the United
States, which is followed closely by other government agencies, the
banking industry, the financial press, and other users. The H.8
release provides a balance sheet for the banking industry as a
whole and data disaggregated by its large domestic, small domestic,
and foreign-related bank components.
The current annual reporting
burden for the FR 2644 is estimated to be 127,400 hours. The annual
reporting burden for the proposed FR 2644 would be 106,925 hours, a
decrease of 20,475 hours. The estimated average hours per response
for the FR 2644 would decrease from 2.80 hours to 2.35 hours, on a
net basis, associated with the proposed revisions.
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.