Good Planning: FDIC And Bank of England Agree To Cooperate To Resolve Troubled Cross-Border Financial Institutions

We don’t think there’s any immediate concern that led to the agreement announced today between the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Bank of England – at least we hope not. In any event, it makes good sense: the two entities announced their agreement to a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) expanding their cooperation when they act as resolution authorities in resolving troubled deposit-taking financial institutions with activities in the United States and United Kingdom. The MOU was signed by FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair and Bank of England Governor Mervyn King.

The MOU represents a commitment by the FDIC and Bank of England to enhance their collaboration to promote greater coordination in the face of distress at banks that operate in the two countries and thus protect the wider public interest. It recognizes the importance of close and effective communication about the operations of financial institutions covered by the MOU and differing national laws, consultation on developing issues, cooperative contingency planning for firms covered by the MOU, and supporting the development of appropriate recovery (going concern) and resolution (gone concern) plans. In such areas, the MOU also underlines the need for the FDIC and the Bank of England to work closely together with other authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

You can find the document at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2010/pr10013a.pdf.