Banking Agencies Send Many Employees Home After D.C. Quake

Most banking agencies kept running on Tuesday after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Washington, but let some employees go home. There were no immediate reports of damage to any of the buildings.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conducted a preliminary review of its facilities in the area, but found no damage, according to a spokesman. The OCC did not formally evacuate, but allowed certain employees to take administrative leave for the remainder of the day to check on family members or homes.

The Treasury Department shook for about 30 seconds, and employees rushed out of their offices into the hallways. Though some left the building, it was not officially evacuated.

The Federal Reserve also remained open, but released all nonessential personnel at 2:45 p.m.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. evacuated its offices in Washington and Arlington, but reopened them later in the afternoon. And the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau did not evacuate employees, but told them to use their own discretion in determining whether to leave.

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