Is it required for us to have transaction fees at the branches other then the main branch? We have a list of services at those branches but not the fees.

Branch Offices should have:
(1)The public section of the institutions most recent CRA Performance Evaluation
(2)A list of services provided by the branch and
(3)Within 5 calendar days of a request, all information in hthe public CRA file relating to the assessment area in which the branch is located

But above that when talking about the main CRA public file it says list of services including transaction fees. So when it says it later does it mean the same thing?

I'm going to vote no. I don't think it would hurt if you included it but it doesn't specify the fees in the branch file part like it does the public file.

well it is just the least I have to keep updated in the other branches the better

You guys should go electronic with it...it makes it SO much easier!!!!!!!!!!!

Amen to that.

I've been thinking about doing this for a while. What do you keep in hard copy and what do you put out on your intranet? Any insight you have would be appreciated.

I don't keep anything in hard copy. Our CRA Public File is 100% electronic.

So if a customer comes in and wants to look at the file you just print it off?

I love the idea, but I am having difficulty selling it to several of my "hard copy only" collagues.

Another question, do you have any sort of contingency plan if your intranet goes down? CDs?

We also have 100% of the information in electronic format available to all branches/offices through our portal/intranet.
It wouldn't hurt to have one hard copy or CD copy just in case but the majority of the info you could get out within your 5 day time frame.

In the rare instance where an individual would ask to look at the file, we would offer to sit at a terminal with them and walk them through the file on the screen. Any of the documents in the file that they want a copy of, we can print for them. The entire file is combined into a single PDF file, so we can burn that file to a CD-R and give them the entire file. That's also our contingency plan as well - we have a backup CD.

First of all Rizzo - what is that thing on your avitar.

Second - we do keep the hard copy to hand to the examiners. My assistant is very good about keeping both updated.

I really want to go electronic and I appreciate everyone's input.

Do it ... Do it Now... Sell whoever on going GREEN... Save time and money...stay compliant by performing a desktop review ....

We implemented it last year and everyone love's that its available on the intranet -- no more including it as part of the branch audit program to make sure its current and up to date, no more taking up valuable filing space, and let's be real -- when was the last time someone actually asked for it besides your examiner, auditor or compliance officer?

One word of caution. Make sure you keep everybody informed as to the fact it is on the Intranet. We send a notice around once a year and require that the supervisors sign that they informed all their staff.

psst...KC...it was a skag monster...whatever that is

Glad you are back to Marilyn.

So is Harry...

ah, all is well in the threads

If you create the Public File electronically, and offer the same products, services, fees, etc throughout all branch offices, is it ok to just have one Public File, so long as all offices have access to it via an Intranet or some other kind of "shared" drive?

I don't see why not. the sole purpose of the branch public file is to provide a part of what is in the main public file.

That's what we do, OB. On the products/services - I include lists and anything different is clearly labeled for that market. The File includes all of them.

for those of you that put this on your intranet - Do you put a PDF of your HMDA and CRA disclosure statements or just a link to where they can be found on the FFIEC website? We don't ever receive a request for the information, but I know if I did a PDF of those, the file size would be so large that I know the branches would give up if they had to try to open them.

We put the PDF file. I haven't tested with the regulators using the link. It is hard enough for me to get to it, I sure wouldn't expect a customer to.