ACB SUPPORTS PREEMPTION OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW, ATM DISCLOSURES
America’s Community
Bankers has filed comment letters supporting the implementation of two
provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
• ACB urged the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to preempt Massachusetts law and
regulations governing the sale of insurance by banks. ACB said the state’s
prohibition on referrals and fees and the waiting period requirement on offering
insurance, would “effectively prevent depository institutions from engaging
in solicitation and cross marketing activities.”
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
preempts state laws that significantly interfere with the ability of depository
institutions to provide insurance services. ACB supported the preemption at the
request of ACB member banks in Massachusetts.
• ACB supported a
proposal by the Federal Reserve Board requiring operators of automated teller
machines to disclose before a transaction is completed that a fee may be
charged, the amount of the fee, and that a fee also may be charged by the
customer’s own financial institution.
“ACB believes that
this proposal does not pose a significant regulatory burden because many of the
entities affected are already in compliance with the proposal,” ACB said.
But ACB suggested a transition period to allow institutions and operators not
currently in compliance to make the necessary changes. The proposal includes a
temporary exemption until Dec. 31, 2004, for ATMs that lack the capability to
provide the required disclosures.
ACB’s letter is linked
America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of
banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of
community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit
www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.
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