Bank Regulatory Agencies

Bank Regulatory News

July 2005

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July 29, 2005 - Statement of FDIC Chairman Donald Powell on Introduction of Deposit Insurance Reform in the U.S. Senate - I am pleased that key members of the Senate Banking Committee have introduced legislation to improve and update federal deposit insurance. The U.S. deposit insurance system is a model that nations around the world strive to emulate. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr7005.html

July 29, 2005 - Host State Loan-To-Deposit Ratios - Summary: The federal banking agencies have issued the attached host state loan-to-deposit ratios for 2005. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil7005.html

July 29, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced the approval of an application by Aozora Bank, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, to establish a representative office in New York, New York. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/orders/2005/20050629/default.htm
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July 28, 2005 - The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council today announced the release of its Bank Secrecy Act /Anti-Money Laundering Examination InfoBase, an automated tool for examiners and industry that provides information on the FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual released on June 30, 2005. www.ffiec.gov/press/pr072805.htm

July 28, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday released the minutes of its discount rate meetings from May 23 through June 30, 2005. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/monetary/2005/20050728/default.htm

July 28, 2005 - "Home Mortgage Disclosure," Comptroller's Handbook for Consumer Compliance Revised booklet incorporates Federal Reserve Board changes to Regulation C requiring lenders to include additional information on their HMDA loan application register. www.occ.treas.gov/handbook/hmda.pdf

July 28, 2005 - OCC Survey Finds Increased Easing of Both Commercial and Retail Credit Underwriting Standards - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency reported today that it has found significant easing in both commercial and retail credit underwriting standards over the past year. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=B8T391NN.xml

July 28, 2005 - FDIC Announces Appointment of M. Anthony Lowe as Dallas Deputy Regional Director - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection Director Michael J. Zamorski has announced the appointment of M. Anthony Lowe to the position of Deputy Regional Director of Risk Management in the Dallas Region. The appointment is effective August 7, 2005.   www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6905.html

July 27, 2005 - Midwest Manufacturing Output Rises in May - The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index rose 0.3% in May, to a seasonally adjusted level of 118.4 (1997=100). www.chicagofed.org/economic_research_and_data/files/cfmmi_may2005.pdf

July 27, 2005 - Community Developments Investments On-Line Newsletter Spotlights - "Double Bottom Line" Investments - Financial intermediaries that seek both an economic return as well as "social return" through the funding of community and economic development activities are the focus of the summer 2005 on-line edition of Community Developments Investments newsletter. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=G5WOA8N.xml

July 27, 2005 - Voice Over Internet Protocol - Summary: The FDIC is providing guidance to financial institutions on the security risks associated with voice over Internet protocol. VoIP refers to the delivery of traditional telephone voice communications over the Internet. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil6905.html

July 27, 2005 - Beige Book -Informal review by the Federal Reserve Banks of current economic conditions in their Districts.   www.federalreserve.gov/fomc/beigebook/2005/20050727/default.htm

July 27, 2005 - NCUA, HHS Announce AFI Grant Program Training Credit unions can tap into AFI training academies. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0727.htm

July 26, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday launched a new online project with USA Today that teaches middle school and high school students about economics and personal finances by challenging them to construct a newspaper front page. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/other/2005/20050726/

July 22, 2005 - FRB Statistical Release - G.20 Finance Companies. www.federalreserve.gov/Releases/G20/current/default.htm

July 22, 2005 - NCUA to Host Access Across America Economic Empowerment Summits in Nashville, Tennessee September 20 and Dallas, Texas October 12. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0722.htm

July 22, 2005 - FDIC Issues Guidance to Banks On Risks of "Spyware" - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today issued guidance to financial institutions on how they can protect themselves against "spyware"- an increasingly prevalent form of software that collects personal or confidential information about a person or organization without their prior knowledge or informed consent, and reports it to a third party. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6805.html

July 22, 2005 - FRB Statistical Release - U.S. Reserve Assets; Foreign Official Assets Held at Federal Reserve Banks   www.federalreserve.gov/Releases/bulletin/0605assets.htm

July 21, 2005 - Federal Open Market Committee Minutes of the June 29-30, 2005 meeting - A meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee was held in the offices of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. and continued on Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. www.federalreserve.gov/fomc/minutes/20050630.htm

July 21, 2005 - NCUA Board Proposes Capital and RegFlex Improvements - The National Credit Union Administration Board today issued proposed rule changes to protect the net worth of low-income credit unions that offer uninsured secondary capital accounts, and extend the Regulatory Flexibility Program to include more institutions, particularly low-income designated credit unions. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0721.htm
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July 21, 2005 - CFNAI Indicates Economic Growth Slightly Above Trend in June. www.chicagofed.org/economic_research_and_data/files/cfnai_july2005.pdf

July 21, 2005 - NCUA - Results on July 21, 2005 NCUA Board Meeting. www.ncua.gov/NCUABoard/board_reports/board_reports.html

July 21, 2005 - OCC Announces New Electronic Interpretations and Actions - July 2005. www.occ.treas.gov/interp/jul05/intjul05.htm

July 21, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Open Market Committee on Thursday released the attached minutes of the Committee meeting held on June 29-30, 2005. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/monetary/2005/20050721/default.htm

July 21, 2005 - Governor Donald L. Kohn - Monetary Policy Perspectives on Risk Premiums in Financial Markets At the Financial Market Risk Premiums Conference, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D.C. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050721/default.htm

July 21, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the issuance of an Order of Prohibition against Stefanie Milmine, a former employee of Fifth Third Bank in Grand Rapids, Michigan. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050721/default.htm

July 20, 2005 - OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 19 National Banks - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today released a list of Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluations that became public during the period of June 15, 2004 through July 14, 2005. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=75DKQNWY.xml

July 20, 2005 - FDIC Makes Public May Enforcement Actions; No Administrative Hearings Scheduled - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in May. No administrative hearings are scheduled for July. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6705.html

July 20, 2005 - Reports to the Congress - Monetary Policy Report to the Congress.   www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/hh/2005/july/fullreport.pdf

July 20, 2005 - Chairman Alan Greenspan - Federal Reserve Board's semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress Before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/hh/2005/july/testimony.htm

July 19, 2005 - NCUA - Statement of Chairman Johnson Regarding Credit Union Conversions. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/ST05-0719.htm

July 19, 2005 - NCUA - Raising Consumer Awareness of Phishing Schemes. www.ncua.gov/letters/RiskAlert/2005/05-Risk-02.pdf

July 19, 2005 - Fraudulent e-mails regarding the release of funds supposedly under the control of Office of the Comptroller of the Currency officials. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/alert/2005-12.doc

July 19, 2005 - FDIC Proposes New Rule on Insurability of Funds Underlying Stored Value Cards - The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today proposed a new rule on the insurability of funds subject to transfer or withdrawal through the use of stored value cards and other nontraditional access devices, such as computers. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6505.html

July 19, 2005 - FDIC Board of Directors Approves Proposed Amendment to Annual Audit and Reporting Requirement - The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today approved a proposed amendment to the FDIC's annual audit and reporting requirements. Under this proposal, the FDIC would amend Part 363 of its regulations by raising the asset-size threshold from $500 million to $1 billion for (1) internal control assessments by management and attestations by external auditors, and (2) members of the audit committee, who must be outside directors, to be independent of management. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6405.html

July 19, 2005 - Banking Agencies Issue Final Community Reinvestment Act Rules - The federal banking agencies today approved final Community Reinvestment Act rules that are intended to reduce regulatory burden on community banks while making CRA evaluations more effective in encouraging banks to meet community development needs.
Press Release: www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20050719/default.htm
Press Release: www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6605.html
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=XU5CZO4H.xml
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-71a.pdf

July 19, 2005 - Pharming" Guidance on How Financial Institutions Can Protect Against Pharming Attacks -The FDIC is issuing the attached guidance to financial institutions describing the practice of "pharming," how it occurs, and potential preventive approaches. Financial institutions offering Internet banking should assess potential threats posed by pharming attacks and protect Internet domain names, which - if compromised - can heighten risks to the institutions. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil6405.html

July 19, 2005 - FRB Proposals for comment - Proposal to approve the extension for three years, without revision, of the following report: Consumer Satisfaction Questionaire (FR 1379). www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/proposedregs.cfm

July 18, 2005 - NCUA - Tax Consequences of Payment of Travel Expenses for FCU Volunteer Officials and Their Guests.   www.ncua.gov/letters/2005/FCU/05-FCU-02.pdf

July 18, 2005 - Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Interagency Outreach Events - The Federal banking and thrift agencies, along with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, today announced registration details for the upcoming outreach events related to the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Examination Manual that was released on June 30.
Press Release: . www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20050718/default.htm
Press Release: www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6305.html
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=HKU9KRIH.xml
Press Release: www.ots.treas.gov/docs/7/77523.html

July 15, 2005 - OCC Announces 25 Enforcement Actions and One Termination - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today announced 25 new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks and one termination of an existing enforcement action. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-69.htm

July 15, 2005 - NCUA - Matz Suggests Ways Credit Unions Can Up the Ante to Protect their Tax Exemption and Invest in their Communities. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0715.htm

July 15, 2005 - Banking Structure Financial Holding Companies - Under the Bank Holding Company Act, bank holding companies may elect to be financial holding companies. Following is a list of those companies whose elections to become or be treated as financial holding companies are effective. www.federalreserve.gov/GeneralInfo/FHC/default.htm

July 15, 2005 - Statistical Release G.17 Industrial Production - Industrial production rose 0.9 percent in June, and at 119.7 percent of its 1997 average, it was 3.9 percent higher than its level in June 2004. www.federalreserve.gov/Releases/G17/Current/default.htm
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July 14, 2005 - Letter to Stakeholders - Second Quarter 2005 Edition of the FDIC's Letter to Stakeholderse - The FDIC has issued its quarterly Letter to Stakeholders, which reports on the FDIC's priorities and activities for the second quarter of 2005. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil6305.html

July 14, 2005 - Acting Comptroller Williams Discusses History and Characteristics of National Banks and the Bank Supervisory Process in Light of Current Issues - Acting Comptroller of the Currency Julie L. Williams noted recent developments in federal/state jurisdiction over national banks and discussed how those developments relate to the history and characteristics of the national banking system and the bank supervisory process.
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=2GS3IJZU.xml
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-68a.pdf

July 14, 2005 - Using Federal Funds Futures Contracts for Monetary Policy Analysis - Refet S. Gurkaynak - Federal funds futures are popular tools for calculating market-based monetary policy surprises. These surprises are usually thought of as the difference between expected and realized federal funds target rates at the current FOMC meeting. www.federalreserve.gov/Pubs/FEDS/2005/200529/200529pap.pdf

July 14, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced the execution of a Written Agreement by and among the First Citizens Bank of Butte, Butte, Montana; the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions; and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050714/default.htm

July 14, 2005 - NCUA - Agenda for the 7/21/2005 NCUA Board meeting is available. www.ncua.gov/NCUABoard/Calendars/board_calendar/ag05-0721.htm

July 14, 2005 - NCUA - Small Credit Union Initiative Workshops Announced in Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Oregon. www.ncua.gov/CreditUnionDevelopment/Events/Index.htm

July 14, 2005 - NCUA Chairman Presses Forward For RegFlex and Capital Improvements - RegFlex for "well-managed, well-capitalized" credit unions slated to be proposed at July Board meeting. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0714-2.htm

July 14, 2005 - NCUA - Jamaica Postal Credit Union Discontinues Operations - New York State Banking Department Appoints NCUA Liquidating Agent; All Member Funds Insured. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0714.htm

July 13, 2005 - NCUA Activates Disaster Assistance in Response to Hurricane Dennis - The National Credit Union Administration has activated its disaster relief policy to assist credit unions and their members repair and rebuild in areas where offices and homes were damaged by Hurricane Dennis. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0713.htm

July 13, 2005 - Auto Symposium Participants Expect Moderate Economic Growth through 2006 - This special issue of the Chicago Fed Letter reports forecasts for the auto sector and the economy - moderate growth this year and next with inflation and unemployment holding steady. www.chicagofed.org/publications/fedletter/cflaugust2005_217a.pdf

July 12, 2005 - Regulatory Relief Steps to Help Rebuild Areas Affected by Hurricane Dennis - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has announced a series of steps intended to facilitate the rebuilding process in areas damaged by Hurricane Dennis and severe storms. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil6205.html

July 11, 2005 - OCC Encourages National Banks to Work with Customers Affected by Hurricane Dennis - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has outlined measures to assist national banks and their customers affected by Hurricane Dennis. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=2OSTD53N.xml

July 11, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has revised the release dates for its monthly survey of manufacturers in the Tenth Federal Reserve District. Starting in July, the survey will be released on the last Wednesday of the survey month. Also in July, the survey will begin utilizing seasonally-adjusted monthly data. www.kc.frb.org/pubaffrs/pressrel/pr07-11.htm

July 11, 2005 - NCUA - Study Recognizes Credit Unions and Matz for Supporting Payday Loan Alternatives - A new study conducted by former U.S. Treasury Department Assistant Secretary Sheila Bair cites five credit unions as models of how to provide alternatives to payday loans. www.ncua.gov/news/press_releases/2005/NR05-0709.htm

July 11, 2005 - Proposals for Comment - The Board has requested public comment on the proposals listed below. Comments can be submitted through this web site using the "Submit comment" links. Comments may also be submitted in writing or by electronic mail (see text of each proposal for contact information). Please note the closing date for each comment period. www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/proposedregs.cfm

July 8, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation recently issued updated host-state loan-to-deposit ratios that the banking agencies will use to determine compliance with section 109 of the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/bulletin/2005-25.doc

July 8, 2005 - OCC Allows National Bank Offices Affected by Hurricane Dennis to Close. www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?Doc=B9T36983.xml

July 8, 2005 - FRB Statistical Release - G.19 Consumer Credit - Consumer credit decreased at an annual rate of 1-3/4 percent in May. Revolving credit edged up, and nonrevolving credit declined somewhat. www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/default.htm
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July 7, 2005 - Chicago Fed Letter Examines Implementing the Check 21 Act - This issue of the Chicago Fed Letter examines a new federal law designed to help banks transition to electronic check processing. www.chicagofed.org/publications/fedletter/cflaugust2005_217.pdf

July 7 2005 - NCUA General Counsel Opinion 05-0630 - Insurance Coverage on 529 College Savings Plan.   www.ncua.gov/RegulationsOpinionsLaws/opinion_letters/2005/05-0630.pdf

July 7, 2005 - Banking Agencies Issue Host State Loan-to-Deposit Ratios - The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today issued the host state loan-to-deposit ratios that the banking agencies will use to determine compliance with section 109 of the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994.
Press Release: www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20050707/default.htm
Press Release: www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6205.html
Press Release: www.occ.treas.gov/toolkit/newsrelease.aspx?JNR=1&Doc=SN3OS8HH.xml
Attachment: www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-65a.pdf

July 6, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced the issuance of a consent Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against the Frontier Bank, Everett, Washington, a state member bank. Frontier Bank, without admitting to any allegations, consented to the issuance of the Order in connection with its alleged violations of the Board's Regulations implementing the National Flood Insurance Act. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/200507062/default.htm

July 6, 2005 - The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced the issuance of a consent Order of Assessment of a Civil Money Penalty against the Security Bank, Ralls, Texas, a state member bank. Security Bank, without admitting to any allegations, consented to the issuance of the Order in connection with its alleged violations of the Board's Regulations implementing the National Flood Insurance Act. www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/Enforcement/2005/20050706/default.htm

July 6, 2005 - OTS Lists 36 CRA Exams Scheduled For Third Quarter 2005 - The Office of Thrift Supervision announced today that 36 savings associations are scheduled for Community Reinvestment Act examinations during the third quarter of 2005. www.ots.treas.gov/docs/7/77522.html

July 5, 2005 - Payroll Cards: An Innovative Product for Reaching the Unbanked and Underbanked - This edition of Insights examines the growth of payroll cards and their potential for use by national banks to attract the nearly 10 million unbanked households into the financial mainstream. www.occ.treas.gov/cdd/payrollcards.pdf

July 5, 2005 - FDIC Identity Theft Study Supplement on "Account-Hijacking" Identity Theft - Summary: The FDIC has issued a supplement to its December 14, 2004, study on account-hijacking identity theft. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil5905.html

July 5, 2005 - Federal Reserve Board Publications - Revised edition of The Federal Reserve System: Purposes and Functions.   www.federalreserve.gov/pf/pf.htm

July 5, 2005 - Threats from Fraudulent Bank Web Sites: Risk Mitigation and Response Guidance for Web Site Spoofing Incidents - Bulletin provides guidance for banks on how to respond to incidents of a Web-site fraud called spoofing and procedures for lowering associated risks. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/bulletin/2005-24.doc

July 5, 2005 - FDICconnect - Three New FDICconnect Business Transactions Available - On June 28, 2005, the FDIC will offer three new online business applications through FDICconnect, its secure transaction-based Web site for FDIC-insured institutions. They are applications for consent to exercise trust powers, applications for a brokered deposit waiver, and applications pursuant to prompt corrective actions. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil5805.html

July 5, 2005 - FinCEN's Secure Information Sharing System Point of Contact Changes With June Call Report - The number of contacts that a financial institution can utilize for FinCEN's Web-based USA PATRIOT Act Secure Information Sharing System will increase with the June Call Report. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil5705.html

July 5, 2005 - FDIC Issues July List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation today issued its monthly list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in April 2005. www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2005/pr6105.html

July 5, 2005 - Supervisory Staff Reports - A Comparison of the Insurance and Banking Regulatory Frameworks for Identifying and Supervising Companies in Weakened Financial Condition www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/staffreports/

July 1, 2005 - OCC Releases Quarterly Journal, Vol. 24, No. 1 (March 2005) on the Web - Includes org charts, 4thQ 2004 condition of banks, household debt study, special supervision and enforcement, licensing decisions, appeals, speeches, interpretations, and corporate structure data. www.occ.treas.gov/qj/qj.htm

July 1, 2005 - Threats from Fraudulent Bank Web Sites - Risk Mitigation and Response Guidance for Web Site Spoofing Incidents - The purpose of this bulletin is to provide banks with guidance on how to respond to incidents of Web-site spoofing. The bulletin addresses procedures banks can implement to mitigate the risks to themselves and their customers by detecting and responding to Web-site spoofing. www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/bulletin/2005-24.doc

July 1, 2005 - FinCEN's Secure Information Sharing System Point of Contact Changes With June Call Report - The number of contacts that a financial institution can utilize for FinCEN's Web-based USA PATRIOT Act Secure Information Sharing System will increase with the June Call Report. www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil5705.html

July 1, 2005 - FRB Statistical Release - G.5 Foreign Exchange Rates (Monthly). www.federalreserve.gov/Releases/G5/Current/default.htm

July 1, 2005 - Supervisory Staff Reports - A Comparison of the Insurance and Banking Regulatory Frameworks for Identifying and Supervising Companies in Weakened Financial Condition www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/staffreports/

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