OTS Plans to Use More Graphs, Less Text in Its Exam Reports

The Office of Thrift Supervision plans to make its exam reports easier to read.

Beginning in August, the text in thrift exam reports will be pared by as much as 30%, said John Downey, OTS executive director of supervision. Instead, supervisors' findings will be conveyed by more graphs and charts.

"It is very hard to talk about interest rate risk in a narrative way," Mr. Downey said. "By showing it graphically, you'll be able to cut down on verbiage, and it'll be easier for the reader to understand."

Over the last month, the OTS has been training examiners to use the new forms. The reports will be generated on new laptop computers that are being distributed to examiners, Mr. Downey said.

In addition, the OTS will be asking thrifts to submit loan and investment portfolio data on computer disks, he said. This will allow examiners to do much of their work before entering the institution.

-Olaf de Senerpont Domis

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