InfoBytes Blog
FDIC clarifies third party-related brokered deposit reporting requirements
On July 15, the FDIC released a new Question and Answer (Q&A) and updated public information on its Banker Resource Center Brokered Deposits Page, reminding “FDIC-insured depository institutions (IDIs) that deposits swept from broker dealers with a primary purpose exception to unaffiliated IDIs must be reported as brokered if any additional third parties are involved that qualify as deposit brokers, as defined by Section 337.6 –Brokered Deposits, of the FDIC’s Rules and Regulations.” According to a statement released by the FDIC, Call Report data analysis submitted after the Brokered Deposits Final Rule took effect “suggests that some IDIs receiving sweep deposits from unaffiliated broker-dealers appear to be reporting the sweep deposits as non-brokered, despite the involvement of a third party that engages in facilitating the placement of deposits, including through engaging in matchmaking activities.” The agency emphasized that while an IDI may not have a direct relationship with an additional third party providing services to a broker dealer with a primary purpose exception, “when reporting sweep deposits, it is the IDI’s responsibility to file accurate Call Report data,” which may include reviewing agreements between the broker dealer and any additional third parties for any services that constitute matchmaking activities. The FDIC clarified, however, that banks will not be required to refile previous Call Reports “if, after good faith efforts, certain deposits were not previously reported as brokered by the IDI due to a misunderstanding of how the facilitation aspect of the deposit broker definition applies when additional third parties are involved.”