Agencies propose risk management guidance for 3rd-party relationships

The federal bank regulatory agencies (Board of Governors, FDIC, and OCC) on Tuesday requested public comment on proposed guidance designed to help banking organizations manage risks associated with third-party relationships, including relationships with financial technology-focused entities. The proposed guidance is intended to assist banking organizations in identifying and addressing the risks associated with third-party relationships and responds to industry feedback requesting alignment among the agencies with respect to third-party risk management guidance.

Banking organizations that engage third parties to provide products or services or to perform other activities remain responsible for ensuring that such outsourced activities are conducted in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including consumer protection laws.

Comments must be received within 60 days of the proposed guidance's publication in the Federal Register.

• Joint agency press release
• Fed Board memo with Executive Summary of proposed guidance
• Publication and comment period update: Published at 86 FR 38182 on 7/19/2021; comments close 9/17/2021
• Comment period update: Comment period extended to end 10/18/2021.