OCC Allows National Bank Offices

Affected by Hurricane Katrina to Close

WASHINGTON -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today issued a proclamation allowing national bank offices affected by Hurricane Katrina to close at their discretion.

In issuing the proclamation, Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan said he expects that only those bank offices directly affected by the severe weather will close.  Those offices should make every effort to reopen as quickly as possible to address the banking needs of their customers, he added.

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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency was created by Congress to charter national banks, to oversee a nationwide system of banking institutions, and to assure that national banks are safe and sound, competitive and profitable, and capable of serving in the best possible manner the banking needs of their customers.