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 for the entire commercial banking
sector in conjunction with 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 and
the Call Reports are utilized in construction of weekly estimates
of U.S. bank credit, balance sheet data for the U.S. commercial
banking sector, and sources and uses of banks’ funds, and to
analyze current banking developments, including the monitoring of
broad credit and funding conditions. 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, financial press, and other users. The H.8 release
provides a balance sheet for the commercial banking industry as a
whole as well as disaggregated data for three bank groups: large
domestically chartered banks, small domestically chartered banks,
and U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks.
The estimated total annual
burden for the FR 2644 is 106,925 hours, and would decrease to
96,798 hours with the revisions. The Board reduced the authorized
panel size for the FR 2644 from 875 to 850 respondents. The
estimated average hours per response for the FR 2644 would decrease
from 2.35 hours to 2.19 hours.
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.