[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23030-23034]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. SCHUMER:
  S. 2969. A bill entitled the ``Fair Gift Card Act'', to the Committee 
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

[[Page 23031]]


  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Gift Card Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Gift certificate, store gift card, other prepaid 
     cards.--The terms ``gift certificate'', ``store gift card'', 
     and ``general-use prepaid card'' have the following meanings:
       (A) Gift certificate.--The term ``gift certificate'' means 
     a written promise that is--
       (i) usable at a single merchant or an affiliated group of 
     merchants that share the same name, mark, or logo;
       (ii) issued in a specified amount and cannot be increased;
       (iii) purchased on a prepaid basis in exchange for payment; 
     and
       (iv) honored upon presentation by such single merchant or 
     affiliated group of merchants for goods or services.
       (B) Store gift card.--The term ``store gift card'' means a 
     plastic card or other electronic payment device that is--
       (i) usable at a single merchant or an affiliated group of 
     merchants that share the same name, mark, or logo;
       (ii) issued in a specified amount and may or may not be 
     increased in value or reloaded;
       (iii) purchased on a prepaid basis in exchange for payment; 
     and
       (iv) honored upon presentation by such single merchant or 
     affiliated group of merchants for goods or services.
       (C) General-use prepaid card.--
       (i) In general.--The term ``general-use prepaid card'' 
     means a card or other electronic payment device issued by a 
     bank or financial institution, or by a licensed money 
     transmitter that is--

       (I) usable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service 
     providers, or at automated teller machines;
       (II) issued in a requested amount whether or not that 
     amount may be, at the option of the issuer, increased in 
     value or reloaded if requested by the holder;
       (III) purchased or loaded on a prepaid basis; and
       (IV) honored, upon presentation, by merchants for goods or 
     services, or at automated teller machines.

       (ii) Exception.--The term ``general-use prepaid card'' does 
     not include a debit card that is linked to a demand deposit 
     or share draft account.
       (D) Exclusion.--The terms ``gift certificate'', ``store 
     gift card'', and ``general-use prepaid card'' do not include 
     a written promise, plastic card, or other electronic device 
     that is--
       (i) used solely for telephone services; or
       (ii) associated with a demand deposit, checking, savings or 
     similar account in the name of the individual at a bank or 
     financial institution, and that provides payment solely by 
     debiting such account.
       (2) Debit card.--The term ``debit card'' has the meaning 
     given that term under section 603(r)(3) of the Fair Credit 
     Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(r)(3)).
       (3) Financial institution.--The term ``financial 
     institution'' has the meaning given that term under section 
     603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)).
       (4) Dormancy fee; inactivity charge or fee.--The terms 
     ``dormancy fee'' and ``inactivity charge or fee'' mean a fee, 
     charge, or penalty for non use or inactivity of a gift 
     certificate, store gift card, or prepaid general-use card.
       (5) Service fee.--The term ``service fee'' means a periodic 
     fee, charge, or penalty for holding or use of a gift 
     certificate, store card, or prepaid general use card.
       (6) Licensed money transmitter.--The term ``licensed money 
     transmitter'' means a person who sells or issues payment 
     instruments or engages in the business of receiving money for 
     transmission or transmitting money within the United States 
     or to locations abroad by any and all means, including but 
     not limited to payment instrument, wire, facsimile or 
     electronic transfer.

     SEC. 3. REGULATION OF UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE ACTS AND PRACTICES 
                   IN CONNECTION WITH GIFT CARDS.

       (a) Imposition of Fees or Charges.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided for in paragraphs (2), 
     (3), and (4) it is unlawful for any person to impose with 
     respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-
     use prepaid card a dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee or 
     a service fee.
       (2) Exception.--A dormancy fee, inactivity charge or fee, 
     or service fee described in paragraph (1) may be charged with 
     respect to a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-
     use prepaid card if--
       (A) at the time the charge or fee is assessed the 
     certificate or card has a remaining value of $5 or less;
       (B) the charge or fee does not exceed $1;
       (C) there has been no activity with respect to the 
     certificate or the card for at least 24 consecutive months;
       (D) the holder of the certificate or the card may reload or 
     add value to the certificate or the card; and
       (E) the requirements of paragraph (3) are met.
       (3) Requirements.--The requirements of this paragraph are 
     that--
       (A) the certificate or card clearly and conspicuously 
     states in 10-point font--
       (i) that a charge or fee described in paragraph (1) may be 
     charged; and
       (ii) the amount of the charge or fee, how often the charge 
     or fee may be assessed, and that the charge or fee may be 
     assessed for inactivity; and
       (B) the issuer of the certificate or card informs the 
     purchaser of the charge or the fee before the certificate or 
     card is purchased, regardless of whether the certificate or 
     card is purchased in person, over the Internet, or by 
     telephone.
       (4) Exclusion.--The prohibitions and requirements contained 
     in this subsection shall not apply to gift certificates 
     that--
       (A) are distributed pursuant to an award, loyalty, or 
     promotional program and with respect to which there is no 
     money or other value exchanged; or
       (B) expire not later than 30 days after the date they are 
     sold and are sold below the face value of the certificate to 
     an employer, or to a nonprofit or charitable organization for 
     fundraising purposes.
       (b) Limitations on Expiration Date.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), it is 
     unlawful for any person to sell or issue a gift certificate, 
     store gift card, or general-use prepaid card that is subject 
     to an expiration date.
       (2) Exceptions.--A gift certificate, store gift card, or 
     general-use prepaid card may contain an expiration date if 
     the expiration date is not less than 5 years from the date 
     the card is purchased. Expiration terms must be prominently 
     disclosed in at least 10-point font and in all capital 
     letters.

     SEC. 4. RELATION TO STATE LAWS

       The Act and any regulations or standards established 
     pursuant to this Act shall not supersede any State law or 
     regulation with respect to charges, fees, and expiration 
     dates of gift certificates, store gift card, or general-use 
     prepaid cards.

     SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Unfair or Deceptive Act or Practice.--A violation of 
     this Act shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining 
     an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under 
     section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 
     U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
       (b) Actions by the Commission.--The Federal Trade 
     Commission shall enforce this Act in the same manner, by the 
     same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and 
     duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the 
     Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were 
     incorporated into and made a part of this Act.
       (c) Individual Cause of Action.--Nothing in this Act shall 
     be construed to limit an individual's rights to enforce a 
     State law relating to unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. CANTWELL:
  S. 2971. A bill to permanently increase the maximum annual 
contribution allowed to be made to Coverdell education savings 
accounts; to the Committee on Finance.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. CANTWELL:
  S. 2972. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
permanently increase the maximum annual contribution allowed to be made 
to Coverdell education savings accounts, and to provide for a deduction 
for contributions to education savings accounts; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about increasing 
educational opportunities by improving a tax-free way to save for 
college. A college education is invaluable in today's workforce, 
requiring new skills and a post-secondary education to stay competitive 
in our global economy. That's why I am introducing two pieces of 
legislation that will help make paying for college easier:
  The Education Savings for Students Act and College Savings Act both 
expand current Coverdell education savings accounts by permanently 
increasing the annual contribution amount to $5,000.
  The College Savings Act would allow families to deduct from income 
the amount they contribute to their education savings account. The 
Education Savings Act keeps the current conditions under Coverdells 
that investment earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals from their 
account are tax-exempt when their child goes to school, but permanently 
increases the minimum annual contribution from $2,000 to $5,000.
  Both bills provide a financial incentive to put away money for 
college where parents have the ability to save

[[Page 23032]]

now through deductible contributions or bank on projected savings 
through tax-deferred earnings and withdrawals.
  It's incredible how fast kids grow. One day they're in kindergarten, 
and the next day they're packing up and leaving for college. What's 
even more incredible is that higher education costs grow just as fast 
as they do.
  I understand that parents have a lot to worry about, especially when 
their children are young. But with rising college costs, parents must 
also be concerned about how to pay for their child's college education. 
Mounting tuition costs and prices for books and materials, plus room 
and board have made colleges and universities less affordable for most 
families.
  College is expensive. There are many parents whose children have 
aimed to go to college, but soon discover they can't afford it because 
of rising costs.
  In 2002, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education 
reported national trends which--if remain unaddressed--will have 
adverse consequences for expanding students' opportunities to pursue a 
higher education and future career.
  This report found that over the last two decades, the cost of 
attending two- and four-year public and private colleges have not only 
grown more rapidly than inflation, but faster than family incomes, 
increasing the share of family income that is needed to pay for tuition 
and other college expenses. From 1991 through 2001, tuition at four-
year public colleges and universities rose faster than family income in 
41 states, including my home State of Washington.
  The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board reports 
that, over the last ten years, tuition and fees have far outpaced 
family income, increasing 89 percent compared to 51 percent in per 
capita personal income in my state. In comparison, the cost of most 
consumer goods increased an average of 20 percent during the same time. 
And, per capita personal income in Washington increased 51 percent 
during this period.
  As a result, more students and families at all income levels are 
borrowing more money than ever before to pay for college. In 1981, 
loans accounted for 45 percent and grants for 52 percent of federal 
student financial aid. In 2000, loans represented 58 percent of Federal 
student financial aid, and grants represented 41 percent.
  Unfortunately, the steepest increases in college and university 
tuition have been imposed during times of greatest economic hardship. 
Just in the past three years, our economy has experienced a loss of 1.8 
million private sector jobs and 2.7 million manufacturing jobs. It is 
my priority that we prepare our workers for the jobs of today and the 
careers of the future. If we want to maintain our economic 
competitiveness, we need to make college more affordable. We must keep 
up with the demand for skilled workers across all sectors of the 
economy.
  In February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that six of the 
ten fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. economy require an 
associate's degree or bachelor's degree, and that all ten of these 
careers will require some type of skills training. By 2010, 40 percent 
of all job growth will require some form of post-secondary education.
  Workers with a college degree make 75 percent more than those 
without. A college education pays tremendous dividends--not just to 
individuals, but also to their entire communities. On average, a one-
year increase in a metropolitan area's educational level raises wages 
by three to five percent.
  Affordability is key to expanding opportunities to go to college. 
Let's face it, we're not all going to pay for college by winning the 
lottery. Saving for college early and often will help lift the 
pressures off of parents who are feeling the financial squeeze of 
increased tuition and fees.
  For these families, Coverdell Education Savings plans provide a 
needed relief for the middle class. The purpose of education savings 
plans are to increase saving by increasing net returns. Today, parents 
can put up to $2,000 a year into a Coverdell Education Savings account. 
The actual contribution is not tax deductible, but all earnings in this 
account are free from taxes when they are withdrawn to pay for school.
  However, the current $2,000 annual limit on Coverdell contributions 
will be repealed in 2010 unless Congress acts to extend it. If we don't 
extend the contribution level, the maximum contribution will drop to 
$500.
  While the current tax benefit makes it easier to save for college, 
the Education Savings Act would increase the annual contributions from 
$2,000 to $5,000 and making this change permanent ensures greater 
savings for families. By increasing the amount parents can put aside 
for their children's college savings, middle-income parents will be 
able to more easily save for their child's college education.
  Say for example, parents start saving when their child turns eight 
years old. If they put away just $100.00 a month--at an interest rate 
of savings of four percent--by the time their kid turns 18, their 
account would have earned more than $12,400 in interest. Parents will 
save over $3,100 in taxes when that child is old enough to go to 
school.
  In addition to projected savings, parents also have the option to 
save now. The College Savings Act would offer families the ability to 
deduct their contributions each year----
  Both of these bills, the College Savings Act and the Education 
Savings Act are financial incentives for people to save by allowing 
families to deduct the amount they contribute and take tax-free 
earnings when their child is ready to go to school, would further 
lessen the financial burden that parents bear by saving money early and 
often.
  Permanently expanding the Coverdell maximum contribution from its 
current threshold of $2,000 to $5,000 a year and allowing this 
contribution to be tax deductible is a common-sense savings vehicle 
that keeps future college costs from spinning out of control. 
Increasing contribution caps will make school more affordable at a time 
when a college education and advanced job training is becoming more and 
more important for economic success.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CORZINE (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
        Schumer, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Leahy):
  S. 2973. A bill to clarify the applicability of State law to national 
banks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing and 
Urban Affairs.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
along with Senators Boxer, Murray, Schumer, Lautenberg, and Leahy the 
Preservation of Federalism in Banking Act, to clarify the relationship 
between state consumer protection laws and national banks.
  This legislation responds to a sweeping new rule issued by the Office 
of the Comptroller of the Currency, the agency that regulates national 
banks. The OCC's new rule gives the agency unprecedented authority to 
pre-empt State laws, thereby shielding national banks and their non-
bank and State-chartered bank affiliates from many important consumer 
protections. It also potentially limits the ability of States to 
enforce many related laws. The most important immediate consequence of 
the OCC rule has been the preemption of State anti-predatory lending 
laws.
  I feel strongly about the need to address predatory lending, which 
can trap people in endless cycles of debt and escalating fees. Many 
States, such as my own state of New Jersey, have enacted tough laws to 
deal with the problem. Unfortunately, the OCC's ruling substantially 
undermines these laws by regulatory fiat. That will leave many 
consumers unprotected, and it shifts too many responsibilities to a 
single agency here in Washington that is not equipped to handle them. 
After all, according to its own website, the OCC ``does not have the 
mandate to engage in consumer advocacy''.
  Although the OCC has a long and successful record of regulating for 
safety and soundness, it has little experience dealing with abusive 
local practices, such as predatory lending. Believe it or not, the OCC 
actually is proposing to

[[Page 23033]]

handle all consumer complaints through a single 22-person call center 
in Houston. This is totally unrealistic. Each year, State officials 
receive thousands of related complaints, which usually are very local 
in nature. These officials are at the forefront of the enforcement 
effort, identifying and combating new practices as they arise. The 
OCC's system simply could not fill this role without major changes.
  The OCC rule also raises concerns about regulatory charter 
competition, the viability of a broad range of state laws, and the 
ability of consumers and state officials to seek remedies in court.
  The OCC rule has provoked strong opposition from governors, attorneys 
general, banking supervisors, and many consumer advocacy groups, not to 
mention the public. The OCC received over 2,600 letters in response to 
its rules, and more than 90 percent opposed them.
  The Preservation of Federalism in Banking Act is a limited and 
reasonable response to the OCC rule. The bill will clarify the state 
consumer protection laws with which banks and their affiliates must 
comply. It also will protect financial institutions from overreaching 
state laws that seek to directly regulate the core activities of 
national banks.
  While the OCC has long had the statutory responsibility to regulate 
the activities of national banks, it has never denied the ability of 
states to protect their citizens. The OCC historically has used its 
authority under the National Bank Act in a reasonable way to shield 
national banks from state banking laws that intrude on the OCC's 
congressionally-granted powers. While we should continue to support the 
appropriate use of the agency's authority, it is important that we 
immediately intervene to reverse the OCC's regulatory overreach and 
prevent the agency from preempting all state consumer protection laws 
and state authority to enforce related laws.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2973

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Preservation of Federalism 
     in Banking Act''.

     SEC. 2. STATE LAW PREEMPTION STANDARDS FOR NATIONAL BANKS 
                   CLARIFIED.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title LXII of the Revised 
     Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) is 
     amended by inserting after section 5136B (12 U.S.C. 25a) the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 5136C. STATE LAW PREEMPTION STANDARDS FOR NATIONAL 
                   BANKS AND SUBSIDIARIES CLARIFIED.

       ``(a) State Consumer Laws of General Application.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     Federal law, any State consumer law of general application 
     (including any law relating to unfair or deceptive acts or 
     practices and any consumer fraud law) shall apply to any 
     national bank.
       ``(2) National bank defined.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term `national bank' includes any Federal branch 
     established in accordance with the International Banking Act 
     of 1978.
       ``(b) State Banking Laws Enacted Pursuant to Federal Law.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     Federal law and except as provided in paragraph (2), any 
     State law that--
       ``(A) is applicable to State banks; and
       ``(B) was enacted pursuant to or in accordance with, and is 
     consistent with, an Act of Congress, including the Gramm-
     Leach-Bliley Act and the Consumer Credit Protection Act, that 
     permits States to exceed or supplement the requirements of 
     any comparable Federal law,
     shall apply to any national bank.
       ``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with 
     respect to any State law if--
       ``(A) the State law discriminates against national banks; 
     or
       ``(B) the State law is inconsistent with other provisions 
     of Federal law, but only to the extent of the inconsistency 
     (as determined in accordance with the other provision of 
     Federal law).
       ``(c) No Negative Implications for Applicability of Other 
     State Laws.--No provision of this section shall be construed 
     as altering or affecting the applicability, to national 
     banks, of any State law which is not described in subsection 
     (a) or (b).''.
       (b) Denial of Preemption Not a Deprivation of a Civil 
     Right.--The preemption of any provision of the laws of any 
     State with respect to any national bank shall not be treated 
     as a right, privilege, or immunity for purposes of section 
     1979 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (42 U.S.C. 
     1983).
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     1 of title LXII of the Revised Statutes of the United States, 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     5136B the following new item:

``5136C. State law preemption standards for national banks and 
              subsidiaries clarified.''.

     SEC. 3. VISITORIAL STANDARDS.

       Section 5136C of the Revised Statutes of the United States 
     (as added by section 2(a) of this Act) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Visitorial Powers.--No provision of this title which 
     relates to visitorial powers or otherwise limits or restricts 
     the supervisory, examination, or regulatory authority to 
     which any national bank is subject shall be construed as 
     limiting or restricting the authority of any attorney general 
     (or other chief law enforcement officer) of any State to 
     bring any action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction--
       ``(1) to enforce any applicable Federal or State law, as 
     authorized by such law; or
       ``(2) on behalf of residents of such State, to enforce any 
     applicable provision of any Federal or State law against a 
     national bank, as authorized by such law, or to seek relief 
     and recover damages for such residents from any violation of 
     any such law by any national bank.''.

     SEC. 4. CLARIFICATION OF LAW APPLICABLE TO STATE-CHARTERED 
                   NONDEPOSITORY INSTITUTION SUBSIDIARIES.

       Section 5136C of the Revised Statutes of the United States 
     (as added and amended by this Act) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Clarification of Law Applicable to Nondepository 
     Institution Subsidiaries of National Banks.--
       ``(1) In general.--No provision of this title shall be 
     construed as preempting the applicability of State law to any 
     State-chartered nondepository institution subsidiary of a 
     national bank, except to the extent that the preemption is 
     explicitly provided by an Act of Congress.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     terms `depository institution' and `subsidiary' have the same 
     meanings as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Act.''.

     SEC. 5. DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING.

       (a) Collecting and Monitoring Consumer Complaints.--
       (1) In general.--The Comptroller of the Currency shall 
     record and monitor each complaint received directly or 
     indirectly from a consumer regarding a national bank or any 
     subsidiary of a national bank and record the resolution of 
     the complaint.
       (2) Factors to be included.--In carrying out the 
     requirements of paragraph (1), the Comptroller of the 
     Currency shall include--
       (A) the date on which the consumer complaint was received;
       (B) the nature of the complaint;
       (C) when and how the complaint was resolved, including a 
     brief description of the extent, and the results, of the 
     investigation made by the Comptroller into the complaint, a 
     brief description of any notices given and inquiries made to 
     any other Federal or State officer or agency in the course of 
     the investigation or resolution of the complaint, a summary 
     of the enforcement action taken upon completion of the 
     investigation, and a summary of the results of subsequent 
     periodic reviews by the Comptroller of the extent and nature 
     of compliance by such national bank or subsidiary with the 
     enforcement action; and
       (D) if the complaint involves any alleged violation of a 
     State law (whether or not Federal law preempts the 
     application of such State law to such national bank) by such 
     bank, a cite to and a description of the State law that 
     formed the basis of the complaint.
       (b) Report to the Congress.--
       (1) Periodic reports required.--The Comptroller of the 
     Currency shall submit a report semi-annually to the Congress 
     on the consumer protection efforts of the Office of the 
     Comptroller of the Currency.
       (2) Contents of report.--Each report submitted under 
     paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       (A) The total number of consumer complaints received by the 
     Comptroller during the period covered by the report with 
     respect to alleged violations of consumer protection laws by 
     national banks and subsidiaries of national banks.
       (B) The total number of consumer complaints received during 
     the reporting period that are based on each of the following:
       (i) Each title of the Consumer Credit Protection Act 
     (reported as a separate aggregate number for each such 
     title).
       (ii) The Truth in Savings Act.
       (iii) The Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978.
       (iv) The Expedited Funds Availability Act.
       (v) The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.
       (vi) The Bank Protection Act of 1968.
       (vii) Title LXII of the Revised Statutes of the United 
     States.
       (viii) The Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

[[Page 23034]]

       (ix) The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974
       (x) The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975.
       (xi) Any other Federal law.
       (xii) State consumer protection laws (reported as a 
     separate aggregate number for each State and each State 
     consumer protection law).
       (xiii) Any other State law (reported separately for each 
     State and each State law).
       (C) A summary description of the resolution efforts by the 
     Comptroller for complaints received during the period 
     covered, including--
       (i) the average amount of time to resolve each complaint;
       (ii) the median period of time to resolve each complaint;
       (iii) the average and median time to resolve complaints in 
     each category of complaints described in each clause of 
     subparagraph (B); and
       (iv) a summary description of the longest outstanding 
     complaint during the reporting period and the reason for the 
     difficulty in resolving such complaint in a more timely 
     fashion.
       (3) Disclosure of report on occ website.--Each report 
     submitted to the Congress under this subsection shall be 
     posted by the Comptroller of the Currency in a timely 
     fashion, and maintained on the website of the Office of the 
     Comptroller of the Currency on the World Wide Web.

                          ____________________