Compliance Q&A: Regulation D and Transfers

Q: If our bank chooses to continue to impose the six-transfer limit as it used to be set out in Regulation D, does a telephone transfer count toward the six transfers per month?

A: Yes, in general, these would usually have been counted in the six-transfer limit that used to be set out in Regulation D–there is one exception for withdrawals by phone when a check is mailed to the customer, but that is rarely the case. Like you point out, the bank is allowed to continue to impose these limitations, but make sure that any disclosures or other related materials no longer say that the bank is required to impose these as a matter of law.

(2) The term “savings deposit” also means: A deposit or account, such as an account commonly known as a passbook savings account, a statement savings account, or as a money market deposit account (MMDA), that otherwise meets the requirements of §204.2(d)(1) and from which, under the terms of the deposit contract or by practice of the depository institution, the depositor is permitted or authorized to make no more than six transfers and withdrawals, or a combination of such transfers and withdrawals, per calendar month or statement cycle (or similar period) of at least four weeks, to another account (including a transaction account) of the depositor at the same institution or to a third party by means of a preauthorized or automatic transfer, or telephonic (including data transmission) agreement, order or instruction, or by check, draft, debit card, or similar order made by the depositor and payable to third parties. … Such an account is not a transaction account by virtue of an arrangement that permits transfers for the purpose of repaying loans and associated expenses at the same depository institution (as originator or servicer) or that permits transfers of funds from this account to another account of the same depositor at the same institution or permits withdrawals (payments directly to the depositor) from the account when such transfers or withdrawals are made by mail, messenger, automated teller machine, or in person or when such withdrawals are made by telephone (via check mailed to the depositor) regardless of the number of such transfers or withdrawals.4
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=14a7ef2b738d5e3a010103190c43cc5f&mc=true&node=se12.2.204_12&rgn=div8

Does the interim final rule require depository institutions to suspend enforcement of the six convenient transfer limit on accounts classified as “savings deposits”?
No. The interim final rule permits depository institutions to suspend enforcement of the six-transfer limit, but it does not require depository institutions to do so.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/savings-deposits-frequently-asked-questions.htm

 


Compliance rules and regulations change quickly! For timely compliance updates, subscribe to Compliance Alliance’s email newsletters. Compliance Alliance offers a comprehensive suite of compliance management solutions. To learn how to put them to work for your bank, call (888) 353-3933 or email info@compliancealliance.com and ask for our Membership Team.

Not a member? Learn more about membership with Compliance Alliance by attending one of our live demos: