Comptroller Offering Survey Form For Complaints About Examiners

WASHINGTON - National banks will soon have a new way to let the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency know what they think of its examination process.

On Monday, the agency unveiled a survey that banks can fill out at the conclusion of each OCC examination. The completed forms will be sent directly to OCC Ombudsman Samuel P. Golden in an effort to quell banks' fears of retribution from examiners.

"I want bankers to know that they can respond honestly, without fear of reprisal," said Comptroller Eugene A. Ludwig. Mr. Ludwig created the ombudsman's office last September to offer banks a nonpartisan forum to complain about exams.

The OCC program is similar to one begun last December by the Office of Thrift Supervision. So far, the thrift agency has received about 300 surveys back.

The Comptroller's office will start handing out the post-exam survey this June. It will ask a variety of questions, ranging from whether the exam placed "undue burden" on the bank to whether the examination team acted in a professional manner.

In cases where responses name an individual examiner and are deemed "extremely negative," Mr. Golden will follow up with the relevant OCC district office. When specific agency policies or procedures are criticized by a respondent, Mr. Golden will report confidentially to the appropriate OCC personnel in Washington.

"We're going to carefully listen to individual bankers, and most importantly, to respond accordingly," Mr. Golden said.

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