[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45403-45420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19116]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

31 CFR Parts 1010 and 1022

RIN 1506-AB07


Bank Secrecy Act Regulations--Definitions and Other Regulations 
Relating to Prepaid Access

AGENCY: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (``FinCEN''), Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: FinCEN is issuing this final rule to amend the Bank Secrecy 
Act (``BSA'') regulations applicable to Money Services Businesses 
(``MSB'') with regard to stored value. More specifically, this final 
rule amends the regulations by: renaming ``stored value'' as ``prepaid 
access'' and defining that term; deleting the terms ``issuer'' and 
``redeemer'' of stored value; imposing suspicious activity reporting, 
customer information and transaction information recordkeeping 
requirements on both providers and sellers of prepaid access, and, 
additionally, a registration requirement on providers only; and 
exempting certain categories of prepaid access products and services 
posing lower risks of money laundering and terrorist financing from 
certain requirements. These changes address regulatory gaps that have 
resulted from the proliferation of prepaid innovations over the last 
twelve years and their increasing use as an accepted payment method.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective September 27, 2011.
    Compliance Date: The compliance date for 31 CFR 1022.380 is January 
29, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FinCEN, Regulatory Policy and Programs 
Division at (800) 949-2732 and select Option 1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Statutory and Regulatory Background

A. In General

    The BSA, Titles I and II of Public Law 91-508, as amended, codified 
at 12 U.S.C. 1829b and 1951-1959, and 31 U.S.C. 5311-5314 and 5316-
5332, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (the ``Secretary'') to 
issue regulations requiring financial institutions to keep records and 
file reports that the Secretary determines ``have a high degree of 
usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory investigations or 
proceedings, or in the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence 
matters, including analysis to protect against international

[[Page 45404]]

terrorism.'' \1\ The Secretary's authority to administer the BSA and 
its implementing regulations has been delegated to the Director of 
FinCEN.\2\ FinCEN has interpreted the BSA through implementing 
regulations (``BSA regulations'' or ``BSA rules'') that appear at 31 
CFR Chapter X.\3\
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    \1\ 31 U.S.C. 5311.
    \2\ See Treasury Order 180-01 (Sept. 26, 2002).
    \3\ On October 26, 2010, FinCEN issued a final rule creating a 
new Chapter X in title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations for the 
BSA regulations. See 75 FR 65806 (October 26, 2010) (Transfer and 
Reorganization of Bank Secrecy Act Regulations Final Rule) (referred 
to herein as the ``Chapter X Final Rule''). The Chapter X Final Rule 
became effective on March 1, 2011. Because the Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking, Definitions and Other Regulations Relating to Money 
Services Businesses, 74 FR 22129 (May 12, 2009), was issued before 
the Chapter X Final Rule became effective, it was proposed in the 31 
CFR part 103 format. In this Final Rule, for ease of reference and 
where appropriate, we have included the former 31 CFR part 103 
citation after the 31 CFR chapter X regulatory citation.
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    FinCEN has defined the BSA term ``financial institution'' to 
include a ``money services business,'' \4\ (``MSB'') a category that 
includes: a dealer in foreign exchange; a check casher; an issuer, 
seller, or redeemer of traveler's checks, money orders, or stored 
value; and money transmitter.\5\ FinCEN is authorized to deem any 
business engaged in an activity determined by regulation to be an 
activity similar to, related to, or a substitute for these activities a 
``financial institution.'' \6\
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    \4\ ``MSB'' is a term FinCEN created that refers to certain non-
bank financial institutions that offer specific services (often in 
combination) and are without a Federal functional regulator.
    \5\ 31 CFR 1010.100(ff) implementing 31 U.S.C. 5312(a)(2)(J), 
(K), (R) and (V).
    \6\ 31 U.S.C. 5312(a)(2)(Y).
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    FinCEN has issued regulations implementing the recordkeeping, 
reporting, and other requirements of the BSA. MSBs are required with 
some exceptions to: (1) Establish written anti-money laundering (AML) 
programs that are reasonably designed to prevent the MSB from being 
used to facilitate money laundering and the financing of terrorist 
activities; \7\ (2) file Currency Transaction Reports (``CTRs'') \8\ 
and Suspicious Activity Reports (``SARs''); \9\ and (3) maintain 
certain records, including records relating to the purchase of certain 
monetary instruments with currency,\10\ relating to transactions by 
dealers in foreign exchange,\11\ and relating to certain transmittals 
of funds.\12\ Most types of MSBs are required to register with 
FinCEN.\13\
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    \7\ See 31 CFR 1022.210.
    \8\ See 31 CFR 1010.311.
    \9\ See 31 CFR 1022.320. Check cashers and transactions solely 
involving the issuance, sale or redemption of stored value are not 
covered by the SAR requirement. See 31 CFR 1022.320(a)(1) and 
(a)(5).
    \10\ See 31 CFR 1010.415.
    \11\ See 31 CFR 1022.410
    \12\ See 31 CFR 1010.410(e)-(f).
    \13\ See 31 CFR 1022.380.
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    On May 22, 2009, the President signed the Credit Card 
Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 (``CARD 
Act'').\14\ Section 503 of the CARD Act required the issuance of 
``regulations in final form implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, 
regarding the sale, issuance, redemption, or international transport of 
stored value, including stored value cards.'' \15\ Pursuant to the BSA 
and the CARD Act, FinCEN published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
Definitions and Other Regulations Relating to Prepaid Access on June 
28, 2010 (``NPRM'').\16\
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    \14\ Public Law 111-24 (May 22, 2009), 123 Stat. 1734.
    \15\ Id., Sec. 503(a), (c).
    \16\ 75 FR 36589.
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B. Prior Regulation of Stored Value

    In 1999, when FinCEN issued its final MSB rule,\17\ it deferred 
certain requirements for stored value based on its complexity and the 
desire to avoid unintended consequences with respect to an industry 
then in its infancy. Therefore, unlike most other categories of MSB, an 
issuer, seller, or redeemer of stored value was not required to 
register as an MSB with FinCEN or to file SARs. An issuer, seller or 
redeemer of stored value, as defined by our regulations, was required 
to file CTRs \18\ and to establish a written AML program, including 
policies, procedures, and internal controls commensurate with its 
activities and reasonably designed to prevent it from being used to 
facilitate money laundering and the financing of terrorist 
activities.\19\
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    \17\ Definitions Relating to, and Registration of, Money 
Services Businesses, 64 FR 45438 (Aug. 20, 1999).
    \18\ 31 CFR 1010.311.
    \19\ 31 CFR 1022.210.
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    In a 2009 notice of proposed rulemaking generally addressing the 
MSB definition,\20\ we proposed folding all regulated entities dealing 
with stored value into one category so that issuers of stored value and 
sellers or redeemers of stored value would be in the same category. In 
that rulemaking, FinCEN did not propose making any substantive changes 
to the definition of this category, reserving those changes for the 
rulemaking specifically focused on prepaid access.
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    \20\ See Definitions and Other Regulations Relating to Money 
Services Businesses, 74 FR 22129 (May 12, 2009).
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II. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. General Considerations

    FinCEN's proposed rule on the regulation of prepaid access marked 
the agency's effort to establish a more comprehensive regulatory regime 
over an industry in which technological advances had outpaced existing 
regulation. Previously regulated to a lesser degree than its MSB 
counterparts, prepaid access (formerly ``stored value'') is becoming 
increasingly pervasive in American commerce, far more so than in the 
late 1990s when the original MSB categories were established and 
accompanying regulations were drafted. We believe that the prepaid 
access market has matured and now warrants, at a minimum, commensurate 
regulation with other MSBs.
    In the NPRM, we sought to regulate this industry with an approach 
and terminology that acknowledged its unique characteristics, in that 
it inhabits both the physical, tangible dimension (cards, key fobs, 
tokens), yet appears to exhibit increasing migration to the Internet 
space (e-retailers and social networking sites). Increasingly, other 
technology developments, such as smartphones, are being employed for 
tendering and receiving payment, by both individuals and merchants. 
These technological innovations are being widely embraced by the 
American consumer, particularly among the younger demographic.
    The growth of prepaid access in the marketplace continues to 
flourish. The most recent Federal Reserve Payments Study \21\ noted 
that, of all forms of noncash payment methods included in its research, 
prepaid card usage was the fastest growing segment. On average, the 
number of prepaid card transactions increased 21.5 percent per year 
from 2006 to 2009, and the value of prepaid transactions increased 22.4 
percent per year. Private label (commonly known as ``gift cards'') was 
the most used type of prepaid card, with 2.7 billion transactions in 
2009.\22\ A 2005 American Bankers Association study revealed that 
consumers prefer both giving and receiving retailer-specific gift cards 
instead of cash, as they are considered more personal and valued by the 
recipient.\23\ Based on the above, the American public has not just 
accepted

[[Page 45405]]

prepaid access; it often prefers it to other types of payment methods.
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    \21\ The 2010 Federal Reserve Payments Study--Noncash Payment 
Trends in the United States: 2006-2009, pg. 6. http://www.frbservices.org/files/communications/pdf/press/2010_payments_study.pdf.
    \22\ See id. at 17.
    \23\ 2005/2006 Study of Consumer Payment Preferences, published 
October 2005.
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B. Reconciling Varied Stakeholder Positions

    Our NPRM addressing prepaid access proposed comprehensive 
regulation of stored value, addressing the needs of law enforcement, 
the financial services industry, and the general public. From FinCEN's 
law enforcement stakeholders, we have heard that prepaid access has 
been implicated in a number of criminal enterprises, for example, 
involving border smuggling of blank card stock. Law enforcement 
generally has expressed the need for strict regulation of prepaid 
access, in some cases extending beyond existing requirements for other 
MSBs. Law enforcement's concern comes in part due to the ease with 
which prepaid access can be obtained, the high velocity of money that 
potentially can be moved with prepaid access, and the anonymous use of 
some, primarily closed loop, prepaid access. While we seek to empower 
law enforcement with the necessary information to perform its mission, 
we also seek to balance the many legitimate uses and societal benefits 
offered by prepaid access.
    The prepaid industry and other financial services member 
stakeholders have an interest in delivering payment options to the 
general public that have proven popular and are increasing in demand. 
Other stakeholders, such as transit systems, university and academic 
environments, and even segments of the Federal government are also 
among those finding that prepaid access is an attractive, cost-
effective method to transact business.
    In the following, we will discuss the principal issues surfaced by 
the public comments received in response to our NPRM, and how we have 
resolved the issues in the final rule. In total, we received 76 comment 
letters, representing viewpoints from depository institutions, prepaid 
access program managers, service providers, industry trade 
associations, retailers, state and Federal government agencies, private 
individuals and others. As varied were the sources, so were the 
opinions offered. We have carefully read, catalogued and analyzed the 
information provided to us and have used it to inform our final 
decisions.

C. The Definition of ``Provider of Prepaid Access''

    In the NPRM we sought to define the provider of a prepaid access 
program consistently with the other categories of MSBs.\24\ To that 
end, we expressly stated that the provider would be determined by the 
``facts and circumstances'' surrounding the activities in which the 
party engaged. To aid the reader, we also offered a list of five 
activities that we believed would generally be descriptive of the 
provider role while cautioning that no single act or duty alone would 
be determinative. The ``facts and circumstances'' standard would employ 
a totality approach.
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    \24\ See 31 CFR 1010.100(ff)(5)(ii).
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    Consistency with wording in other MSB regulations, while important, 
was not our only reason for this approach. We believed that prepaid 
programs, although many and varied in their purposes and operation, 
would always involve a central entity that would meet the definition of 
a provider, according to the factors and activities that we delineated.
1. Comments on the Definition
    The commenting public, to a degree, agreed that our five elements 
were fundamental aspects of any prepaid program; but, in general, they 
strongly disagreed that one entity would always, or even primarily, be 
responsible for these duties. They asserted that the duties were 
typically allocated among several entities, and that the various 
activities might circulate from one participant to another at various 
points throughout the development of a prepaid program. FinCEN received 
approximately 26 letters commenting on these issues.\25\
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    \25\ Many of the comment letters we received were critical of 
our initial provider definition. The approach that we used, 
outlining criteria that we believed were generally descriptive of 
the provider role, was criticized by several industry members and 
some state regulatory officials as too indefinite and ambiguous. 
Other commenters made the point that often it is only the issuing 
bank that meets the definitional test of a provider under our 
criteria. Many commenters advocated allowing the participants to 
allocate responsibilities by agreement. Other commenters preferred 
some form of bright-line test rather than the facts and 
circumstances approach that FinCEN proposed.
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    Another objection, offered by 16 commenters, was the lack of an 
MSB-entity in the prepaid transaction chain that could accurately meet 
the definitional test of a provider as defined in the NPRM. Instead, 
these comments explained, the various duties and the ``centrality'' 
concept would lead directly to the issuing bank \26\ in most cases. 
Although all of these commenting parties agreed that the appropriate 
regulatory focus should be on the depository institution, they differed 
with respect to their preferred alternative regulatory approaches. Some 
stated that banks are already sufficiently regulated; while others 
argued for additional regulatory constraints on banks involved in the 
prepaid access business. Of these 16 letters, four were submitted by 
prepaid access-issuing banks themselves.\27\
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    \26\ By virtue of the regulatory definition of a money services 
business, neither a bank nor any other participants in the bank-
centered prepaid program would be required to register with FinCEN.
    \27\ Banks currently serving in a role that could otherwise fit 
the definition of a provider of prepaid access are not subject to 
this rule because FinCEN has excluded banks from its definition of 
MSB. See 31 CFR 1010.100(d), (ff). However, banks are subject to 
distinct FinCEN rules implementing the BSA with respect to their 
products and services generally. Additionally, banks are subject to 
regulation by the Federal banking agencies (``FBAs'') and, as such, 
must comply with the appropriate provisions of Title 12 of the CFR. 
FinCEN and the FBAs have issued examination guidance directed 
specifically at banks involved in the operation of a prepaid 
program. This guidance may be found at: http://www.ffiec.gov/bsa_aml_infobase/pages_manual/OLM_061.htm, specifically pages 234-
238, entitled ``Electronic Cash--Overview.''
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2. Determining the Provider by Agreement
    The body of opinions addressing how to identify the correct party 
as the provider was quite varied, but a single common recommendation 
surfaced among many of the commenters: the best solution, both for 
clarity among the participants in the prepaid program and for 
simplicity in administration, would be to allow a contractual 
determination among the participants as to who would serve as the 
provider (``the agreement approach''). Commenters were nearly unanimous 
in the belief that only this approach allowed for a clear allocation of 
duties that would benefit the operation of the program, as well as 
regulators and law enforcement authorities. The ability to clearly 
identify the provider by the mutually-determined decision, along with 
the requisite submission to FinCEN of MSB registration materials, would 
offer instant identification of the principal entity in the 
transaction. FinCEN is finalizing the rule with the agreement approach.
    Under the agreement approach, the provider will serve as the 
principal conduit of information for the other members of the program, 
thereby simplifying the production and strengthening the integrity of 
required reports and recordkeeping. The provider will accept and manage 
the flow of information generated by all of the program participants in 
such a way as to comply with regulatory requirements. The decisions 
regarding what processes or methodologies are established to accomplish 
this objective are best left to the program participants; the provider

[[Page 45406]]

simply must have the ability to amass the appropriate information with 
dispatch.
    We understand that prepaid transactions often involve more parties 
and sub-parties than might be typical of routine debit or credit card 
transactions and, for this reason, the information generated by the 
sale and use of prepaid access is often more dispersed. But because the 
information needs of law enforcement often necessitate speed and 
efficiency for successful criminal investigation and prosecution, 
requiring the separate pursuit of various records or documents all 
along the points of the transaction chain would be inefficient and 
inevitably lead to lost opportunities. Having the provider serve as the 
central source of information should help to minimize the inefficiency 
and allow for those most knowledgeable about how the business operates 
to make this fundamental business decision.
3. Retaining the NPRM Provider Criteria
    As we have discussed, the final rule adopts the agreement approach, 
and we begin our regulatory text by stating that the participants 
within a prepaid program must determine a single participant to be the 
provider of prepaid access. A determination among the program 
participants, communicated through the appropriate filing of an MSB 
registration with FinCEN, will identify the participant subject to 
regulatory obligations as the provider.
    We noted previously, however, that there is rapid growth and 
innovation in many segments of the payments industry and such is 
certainly the case with prepaid access. We believe that our regulations 
should anticipate, to the degree possible, situations where the program 
participants fail to come to an agreement.
    In the NPRM, we listed five criteria pertaining to the oversight 
and control necessary to be deemed a provider of prepaid access. While 
we heard objections to this list of factors when it was published as 
the determinative criteria in the NPRM, we have chosen to retain the 
language in the final rule as illustrative of the analytical factors 
that would be useful in determining the provider. We note that while 
the commenters took issue with the application of our list of criteria 
to a single entity, they offered positive observations on the accuracy 
and utility of the list. Commenters stated that the factors were 
appropriate and helpful and demonstrated FinCEN's understanding of the 
complexities of the ways in which prepaid programs function.
    We understand that it would be unlikely to find all of these 
characteristics present in a single entity in the prepaid program; 
however, it may be helpful to weigh and assess the totality of the 
factors against the characteristics of the various program participants 
in reaching a regulatory determination of the provider. The list of 
factors is by no means exhaustive. We retain them within the regulatory 
text, however, to demonstrate that FinCEN will use these factors to 
make a provider determination in instances where a provider of prepaid 
access has failed to register.

D. Sellers of Prepaid Access

    In the NPRM, FinCEN proposed to regulate sellers of prepaid access 
as a separate category of MSB. Specifically, the NPRM proposed to 
require sellers to: (1) Develop and implement an effective AML program; 
(2) report suspicious activity; and (3) comply with recordkeeping 
requirements related to customer identifying information and 
transactional data. The NPRM did not include a registration requirement 
for sellers of prepaid access. The NPRM did, however, raise the 
possibility of an additional limitation to the definition of a seller 
of prepaid access, which would cover only those entities that sold 
prepaid products (including products not covered under the regulatory 
definition of prepaid program) in an amount over $1,000 to any person 
on any day in one or more transactions.
    The rationale behind covering sellers of prepaid access under the 
BSA was based on the unique role played by sellers in the prepaid 
transaction chain. Typically, sellers of prepaid access are general 
purpose retailers such as pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets, 
discount stores or any of a number of other types of businesses 
offering a full spectrum of products. Sellers of prepaid access 
generally have face-to-face contact with consumers at the point of sale 
and, thus, they are in the best position to collect customer 
identifying information. As a general matter, AML program requirements 
applicable to a range of financial institutions can play an important 
role in mitigating risks involved in certain face-to-face transactions 
as they relate to the ``placement'' stage of money laundering.
    In response to the NPRM, FinCEN received 45 comment letters that 
addressed the proposal to regulate sellers of prepaid access. These 
letters were primarily from companies whose business operations include 
some aspect of providing or selling prepaid access, including 
individual retailers, issuing banks, prepaid program managers, prepaid 
card networks, payment processors, other service providers, trade 
groups and other associations. Most of these commenters opposed any 
direct regulation of sellers of prepaid access. Some commenters 
questioned whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the current 
delegated examiner for MSBs, has the resources to adequately examine 
and enforce such rules, and whether the information collected by 
sellers of prepaid access would be useful to law enforcement. Other 
commenters expressed concerns that implementation of the proposed rule 
would result in: high compliance costs; customer service challenges; 
privacy and data security issues; conflicts with state laws; and 
stigmatization of the unbanked and underbanked population.
    None of these comments challenge the underlying rationale behind 
regulating sellers of prepaid access. Although, as some commenters 
pointed out, prepaid access devices and vehicles may be sold in 
convenience stores, pharmacies and other retail establishments 
alongside non-financial products, prepaid access is fundamentally 
different than non-financial products and services. It would be an 
unacceptable loophole in the BSA rules if prepaid access could be 
bought and sold without adequate oversight. Because prepaid access is 
essentially a financial service that provides consumers with access to 
the financial system, it should be subject to an appropriate level of 
regulation to prevent its misuse.
    Based on this underlying rationale, FinCEN continues to consider it 
appropriate to regulate sellers of prepaid access as a type of MSB. 
However, FinCEN has decided to make certain changes to the rule with 
respect to sellers of prepaid access, balancing the concerns expressed 
in the comment letters with the legitimate need to mitigate money 
laundering risks and provide law enforcement with the information and 
investigatory tools necessary to prevent the use of prepaid access for 
money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal purposes. 
FinCEN has adopted a targeted approach to regulating sellers of prepaid 
access, focusing on the sale of prepaid access whose inherent features 
or high dollar amounts pose heightened money laundering risks.

E. Prepaid Programs and Exclusions

1. In General
    The NPRM defined a prepaid program broadly as ``an arrangement 
under which one or more persons acting together provide(s) a particular 
form of

[[Page 45407]]

prepaid access.'' The NPRM excluded from the definition of prepaid 
program five types of arrangements because they are typically low-risk. 
However, the NPRM also identified three high-risk factors that would 
negate any exclusion.
    Comments tended to focus on the various exclusions from the core 
definition of ``prepaid program'' rather than on the core definition 
itself. Many public comments received in response to the various 
exclusions from the definition of a prepaid program argued for a more 
liberal, expansive reading of the relevant exclusions. Some commenters 
asserted that the exclusions were appropriate carve-outs, but that they 
did not go far enough. Other commenters expressed concerns about the 
effect of the three limits to the exclusions: international use, 
person-to-person transfers, and re-loads from a non-depository source 
other than for closed loop prepaid access. These limits to the 
exclusions, many commenters asserted, undercut the efficacy of the 
exclusions and would effectively render them meaningless. Only a 
handful of commenters chose not to address the program exclusions at 
all.
    We revised the rule in an effort to reconcile the need to make the 
exclusions as precise as possible with limiting any possible risks or 
vulnerabilities. The final rule differs from the NPRM with a new 
framework to more effectively achieve our goal of targeting those 
arrangements that present a realistic risk of being used for money 
laundering, terrorist financing, or other illicit activities.
2. Closed Loop Prepaid Access
    We heard from a broad range of American retailers, including lines 
of business as diverse as amusement parks, restaurants, and Internet 
software sales, commenting that our inclusion of closed loop prepaid 
access was an unwelcome departure from long-standing FinCEN policy. For 
a number of years, FinCEN has held that closed loop gift certificates 
and gift cards were not included within the regulatory interpretation 
of stored value.\28\
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    \28\ ``FinCEN does not currently interpret the definition of 
stored value to include closed system products such as a mall-wide 
gift card program. However, please be advised that FinCEN intends to 
engage in further rulemaking relating to the definition of stored 
value. Therefore, nothing in this letter should be relied upon by [ 
] as binding on FinCEN with respect to any changes to the current 
rules * * *'' FinCEN Ruling 2003-4 (Definition of Money Transmitter/
Stored Value (Gift Certificates/Gift Cards) (Aug. 15, 2003)).
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    Many commenters asserted that the inclusion of any closed loop 
prepaid access as a type of prepaid program was unnecessary. They 
explained that closed loop prepaid access offers very limited criminal 
or money laundering opportunities given that, by its nature, it only 
allows use within a narrowly-defined universe of entities, such as a 
specific retailer, a retail chain (including franchisees), a shopping 
center, or a group of retailers linked by common ownership, corporate 
affiliation or geographic proximity. In all of these instances, the 
prepaid access is ``closed'' to any other retailers which are not part 
of the specifically identified group of retailers. In addition, many of 
these commenters noted that closed loop prepaid access involved 
relatively low dollar amounts, most commonly issued in denominations of 
$500 or less. Such low dollar limits and the inability, except under 
rare, de minimis situations,\29\ to convert closed loop prepaid access 
to cash make it an inefficient, cumbersome tool for use by money 
launderers.
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    \29\ See e.g., Cal. Civ. Code Sec.  1749.5.
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    In the NPRM, we explained that there were attributes potentially 
associated with closed loop prepaid access that raised its risk level. 
We treated these potential attributes in two of the proposed ``limits 
to the exclusions.'' \30\ Based on information provided by law 
enforcement, we were concerned that closed loop prepaid access, when 
used internationally or with the ability to transfer value from person-
to-person, heightened its money laundering vulnerability considerably. 
We asked specific questions in the NPRM on this topic, and we received 
a great many responses. A total of 45 comment letters were received 
referencing closed loop prepaid access.
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    \30\ 75 FR 36608.
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    Some commenters provided very comprehensive, thoughtful responses 
in which they offered data and statistics about how their products 
operate and the reasons they view them as inapplicable to this 
rulemaking. The most frequent and strongly asserted statement was the 
limited dollar/limited scope of closed loop prepaid access. Even in a 
forum such as a shopping mall or a university campus, closed loop 
prepaid access offers the consumer only goods or services.
    For some retailers, such as coffee vendors or fast food 
restaurants, convenience was the reason for offering closed loop 
prepaid access. The product array they offer is often limited to items 
retailing for just a few dollars, with conservative caps set on the 
maximum value available on the closed loop prepaid access they offer. 
They asserted that their closed loop prepaid access served consumers' 
needs when making repeat, low-dollar ticket purchases when the only 
other option would be cash; and it worked to the merchants' advantage 
for speedy transactions as well as encouraging repeat business and more 
liberal ``spend per ticket.''
    Other retail segments, such as furniture sellers, pointed out that 
closed loop prepaid access was used as a form of voucher in situations 
where a big-ticket item was returned, and that the limitations 
established in the NPRM were unworkable. Rather than returning cash in 
amounts of several hundred or thousand dollars, often exceeding the 
amount of cash maintained on hand, the merchant wanted the option to 
provide closed loop prepaid access as an accommodation to the customer 
and a convenience to the merchant itself. The furniture retailer was 
assured of repeat business and the customer was not burdened with the 
prospect of theft or loss of a large sum of cash. We believe that, for 
this segment of the closed loop prepaid access market whose inventory 
is comprised of mostly high-dollar merchandise, we have drawn a 
suitable compromise. As discussed below, FinCEN revised the threshold 
of closed loop in the final rule. Closed loop prepaid access sold in 
amounts of $2,000 or less is exempted, which will accommodate this 
practice of returns.
    Based on comments received in response to the NPRM specifically 
with regard to closed loop prepaid access, FinCEN understands that a 
requirement to collect customer identifying information may necessitate 
changes in the way that businesses escheat funds to states if those 
funds are not claimed by their owners, depending on the differences 
between escheat laws for funds belonging to identifiable persons and 
for anonymous funds. As discussed herein, the final rule significantly 
limits the scope of closed loop prepaid access covered under the 
definition of a prepaid program. Accordingly, the final rule should 
have minimal effects, if any, on businesses in connection with state 
escheat laws.
    The most common theme underlying the varying objections in the 
comment letters was that closed loop prepaid access products were used 
by retailers to pre-sell goods and services, not to serve as a medium 
through which the funds paid can later be recovered in the form of 
cash. If an individual is seeking to launder funds, closed loop prepaid 
access is a cumbersome and ineffective method to accomplish such; funds 
placed in closed loop prepaid access do not offer withdrawal or 
transfer options. Retailers commented that a closed loop gift card that 
is redeemed for cash rather

[[Page 45408]]

than merchandise is of little economic benefit to them.
    As a result of the many, diverse comment letters we received that 
addressed this aspect of the NPRM, we now better appreciate that closed 
loop prepaid access differs from open loop prepaid access in a very 
material way, both in operation and purpose. Closed loop prepaid access 
has evolved in its present form from the paper ``gift certificate'' 
that has existed for many years in the traditional retail environment. 
The migration to a card bearing a magnetic stripe reflects 
technological improvements that allow the merchant to track the 
remaining balance, the goods or services purchased, demographic data 
and other valuable marketing information. But, fundamentally, the 
closed loop prepaid access remains limited to its defined merchant and 
it is not redeemable in cash.
    In our analysis of the appropriate treatment of closed loop prepaid 
access in the final rule, we have attempted to reconcile the 
perspectives of the commenting public with the cautions we continue to 
receive from law enforcement. Law enforcement has stressed to us that, 
in very large dollar amounts, closed loop prepaid access remains 
vulnerable to use by criminal enterprises for laundering funds through 
merchandise and trade, particularly for the purchase of consumer 
electronics and technology hardware.
    Accordingly, FinCEN has chosen to set a dollar threshold of $2,000 
for closed loop prepaid access, which helps address the concerns of 
both retailers and law enforcement. We believe that law enforcement 
presents legitimate concerns about potential for abuse in a limited 
segment of the closed loop prepaid access market. Of equal importance, 
however, is FinCEN's objective to facilitate legitimate commerce. As 
discussed below, we have determined that the limits to exclusions we 
had proposed for closed loop pertaining to international use and third-
party transfers are not necessary at this point; all closed loop 
prepaid access that is issued in amounts of $2,000 or less will be 
excluded from the definition of prepaid program. This dollar level 
should encompass the bulk of retail sales of closed loop prepaid access 
for most consumer goods and services, and mitigate the potential for 
abuse by those who might otherwise seek to intermediate significant 
amounts of value outside of regulatory controls under the premise of 
the closed loop exclusion.
3. Government Funded Prepaid Access
    In the NPRM, we discussed the increasing use by the Federal 
government of open loop branded prepaid access as a means of delivering 
various types of benefits and assistance, such as Social Security, 
disability and disaster relief payments. We also noted that state and 
local governments were increasingly interested in using prepaid access 
to deliver regular payments, such as unemployment benefits or child 
support, in a more efficient way than the traditional issuance and 
mailing of a check.
    The available market research indicated that both government 
entities and recipients were receptive to this migration to prepaid 
access.\31\ For the government payor, prepaid access offered a lower-
cost, more secure payment method. For the payee, security features and 
the immediacy of the funds were considered very positive 
characteristics.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management 
Service Direct Express[reg] Debit MasterCard[supreg] Survey (July 
21, 2009). See http://www.godirect.org/media/release/half-million-choose-direct-express/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the NPRM, we asked whether the use of prepaid access for the 
payment of government benefits posed any identifiable vulnerability. We 
had generally concluded that adequate controls were in place for 
government-administered prepaid access programs to safeguard against 
illicit use. But we believed that we could benefit by posing specific 
questions to the commenting public for issues or recommendations worthy 
of attention.
    We received only a handful of comment letters that addressed this 
issue. All of these commenters strongly supported the use of prepaid 
access by government agencies. We also heard from a government agency 
at the Federal level charged with responsibility for establishing and 
operating prepaid access programs, with a very thorough explanation of 
the controls and safeguards in place.
    Given these factors, we believe that our initial stance in the NPRM 
remains correct, and that these prepaid access programs are 
appropriately excluded from coverage under the final rule. As noted 
below, the exclusion will not be limited in the final rule. We have 
expanded the regulatory text to capture all facets of government at the 
Federal, state and local level, to include Tribal governments and U.S. 
Territories and Insular Possessions. The revised language is consistent 
with our intent in the NPRM and with other BSA regulations.
4. Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Funded Prepaid Access
    We have retained the exclusion for prepaid access to flexible 
spending and dependent care funds in the final rule. As noted below, 
there will be no limitations on this exclusion. The wording of the 
regulatory text used in the final rule differs slightly from that in 
the NPRM, due to recommendations offered to us by the IRS. The addition 
of the regulatory citations is not intended to broaden or limit the 
scope of this exclusion from that proposed in the NPRM.
    We received significant public comment on this section of the 
proposed rule. Most commenters approved of this specific exclusion, and 
many recommended a broadening to include any type of employer-sponsored 
reimbursement account, such as fitness/wellness programs and commuter 
benefits programs. Additionally, some commenters urged us to expand the 
exclusion to include Health Savings Accounts (``HSAs''), which allow 
the commingling of health and non-health related funds.
    We have chosen to retain our original scope of reimbursements as 
proposed in the NPRM. With respect to HSAs, we have consulted with the 
IRS and understand that funds in these types of accounts are not 
required to be earmarked for health care. Because the strict 
limitations inherent in health reimbursement arrangements (``HRAs'') 
are not present with HSAs, it is not prudent to allow any prepaid 
access associated with their use to be excluded from the definition of 
a prepaid program. We have also determined that it would not be 
appropriate to exclude prepaid access issued by various employer-
sponsored reimbursement programs from the definition of a prepaid 
program. The operation of these private programs can vary greatly, and 
they also do not meet the same strict standards that apply to HRAs.
5. Limited Exclusions
    In the NPRM, the limitations applied to all of the exclusions from 
the definition of a prepaid program. In the final rule, by contrast, we 
have identified only two categories of prepaid access that may present 
vulnerabilities to criminal use, but at the same time offer 
considerable benefits to American commerce and to the individual 
consumer. Under the final rule these two categories of prepaid access 
may remain outside the definition of a prepaid program but only if the 
use of the prepaid access is restricted in ways that limit the risk of 
misuse.

[[Page 45409]]

    The limited exclusions under the final rule only apply to prepaid 
access to: (1) employment benefits, incentives, wages or salaries; or 
(2) funds not to exceed $1,000 maximum value and from which not more 
than $1,000 maximum value can be initially or subsequently loaded, used 
or withdrawn on any day through a device or vehicle. Such prepaid 
access is not entitled to exclusion, and therefore is a prepaid 
program, if it permits (1) funds or value to be transmitted 
internationally; (2) transfers between or among users of prepaid access 
within a prepaid program; or (3) loading additional funds or the value 
of funds from non-depository sources.
    The use of prepaid access to deliver employment benefits, 
incentives, wages or salaries is a popular and widespread application. 
In many instances, it is a cost minimizer for the employer, who no 
longer must issue paper checks that may be lost, stolen or altered, and 
that often carry attendant postage costs. Instead, the employer 
appreciates the ability to assign payment electronically to prepaid 
access with a minimum of effort and cost; the employee is equally 
pleased with the efficiencies and cost savings, and the ability to 
access funds immediately with no need to cash a paper check. In 
addition, the use of prepaid access offers a solid audit trail that 
equals and sometimes exceeds that of paper instruments.
    Commenters also pointed to the attributes of prepaid access over 
some payment situations where wages are paid out in cash, for example, 
to seasonal or migrant workers. Under these circumstances, the wage 
earner may not have access to traditional banking services or may be 
unable to transact business in a traditional setting, due to language 
or cultural barriers. The use of the prepaid access can serve as a form 
of ``mainstreaming'' for this individual.
    Unfortunately, for all of the attributes that prepaid access 
presents for the payment of wages and salaries, it is also one of the 
areas of greatest law enforcement concern. Repeatedly, we have heard 
that payroll schemes involving prepaid access are growing in breadth 
and dollar volume, and that criminal actors continue to thrive in this 
environment. Where prepaid access to wages and salaries can be used to 
move significant amounts of money, on a repeated basis, to many 
different individuals, we believe that it is appropriate to require 
reasonable regulatory protections against misuse.
    The final rule provides such protection by retaining the qualified 
exclusion for the use of payroll prepaid access that was proposed in 
the NPRM, under which prepaid program status is triggered if funds can 
be transmitted internationally, transferred to others, or reloaded at a 
non-depository institution. Businesses that provide payroll prepaid 
access will either tailor their prepaid access programs to the 
limitations or subject their prepaid program to the regulatory 
requirements associated with prepaid program status. Although this 
decision to keep payroll prepaid access subject to these limitations 
runs counter to the majority of the opinions expressed in the public 
comments, we believe that the better view is to exercise caution with 
respect to this type of prepaid access, especially because law 
enforcement has strongly warned about its vulnerability to money 
laundering.
    Similarly, we have chosen to retain the three limitations with 
respect to prepaid access to funds that can exceed $1,000 in load, use 
or withdrawal capability at any time through a device or vehicle. We 
have done so based on the same continuing concerns about the 
vulnerability to money laundering of unlimited low denomination prepaid 
access that we have with respect to payroll prepaid access. We have, 
however, eliminated the requirement in the NPRM for a dollar limit to 
be clearly visible on the prepaid access device or vehicle in response 
to the many comments that this was not practicable and that it 
discriminated against those technologies for which it was impossible to 
manifest such a dollar limit on the prepaid access device or vehicle.
    If payroll cards and prepaid access products below the $1,000 
threshold do not permit international use, person-to person payments, 
or non-depository source loads, then such prepaid access is excluded 
from BSA regulation. In this construct, FinCEN wishes to clarify that 
we do not intend to sweep back into the scope of the rule prepaid 
access that might be used in conjunction with another prepaid access 
device that permits such activities, when the first prepaid access 
device does not. In that regard, status as a prepaid program is 
determined by the functionality of the product(s) within that program, 
not by the functionality of other products or services which they can 
purchase. Thus, a prepaid product that could be used to reload another 
prepaid product might not necessarily trigger the scope of the 
regulations, but such a prepaid product that was reloaded might itself 
be part of a program subject to the regulations if it can, for example, 
be used internationally. With respect to the limitations to the 
exclusions pertaining to transfers between or among users and 
reloadability by non-depository institutions, the same construct 
applies.
    FinCEN also wishes to clarify that the limitation on international 
transmission is specifically intended to cover prepaid access devices 
that can be directly used outside of the United States. For example, 
while a network branded prepaid card with an initial and maximum load 
limit of $500 would generally be excluded, if it can be used to 
withdraw cash or purchase goods and services directly from foreign ATMs 
or merchants (via the Internet, in person, or otherwise) the limitation 
would apply and providers and sellers of such cards would be subject to 
the prepaid access rules. The limitation does not apply to prepaid 
access products that cannot be directly used for such foreign 
transactions. An example of such a product would be a network branded 
prepaid card with controls in place to prevent it from being used to 
withdraw cash or purchase goods and services directly from foreign ATMs 
or merchants (via the Internet, in person, or otherwise).
    With respect to Internet transactions, the relevant issue is the 
foreign location of the merchant rather than the location of the person 
using the prepaid access product or the location where products are 
delivered or services rendered. Thus, for example, a prepaid card that 
permits an individual visiting a foreign country to make Internet 
purchases from a U.S.-based merchant would not be covered under the 
international use limitation by virtue of that functionality because 
the card cannot be used as a vehicle for moving money outside the 
United States. Additionally, if a prepaid access product can be used to 
fund a U.S.-based bank or other account or to purchase a different 
prepaid access device that permits international use, the original 
product does not trigger the international use limitation by virtue of 
that functionality.

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

 A. Definition of Provider of Prepaid Access

1. In General
    Section 1010.100(ff)(4)(i) defines a provider of prepaid access as 
the one participant among the entities engaged in offering a particular 
prepaid access program that agrees to serve as the contact and source 
of information for FinCEN, law enforcement and regulators for the 
particular program. The participants in a particular prepaid program 
should determine the single participant that serves as provider of 
prepaid access. As discussed above, this change was made because we 
were

[[Page 45410]]

persuaded of the value of the ability to clearly identify the provider 
by the mutually-determined decision, which offers other members of the 
program and law enforcement instant identification and expedient access 
to the entity in the transaction chain that will serve as ``the 
principal conduit of access to information.'' The provider must 
register as an MSB with FinCEN and will be subject to BSA regulations. 
The provider will be subject to oversight and examination for these 
obligations which include maintaining an AML program, reporting SARs, 
and recordkeeping and customer identification requirements.
2. Considerations for Provider Determination
    Section 1010.100(ff)(4)(ii) provides factors for determination of 
the provider of prepaid access in the event that no participant in the 
prepaid program registers as the provider. Determining the provider of 
prepaid access in such a situation is a matter of identifying the 
participant with ``principal oversight and control.'' The determination 
of which participant in the prepaid program has principal oversight and 
control will be a matter of facts and circumstances. We recognize that 
there may be situations in which no single participant engages in all 
of the factors listed in 1010.100(ff)(4)(ii). However, there will be an 
identifiable participant in the prepaid program with the principal 
oversight and control, which will be in the best position to serve as a 
conduit for information for regulatory and law enforcement purposes. 
The rule lists the following five factors, each not dispositive on its 
own, which may indicate ``principal oversight and control'' and which 
FinCEN will use to identify a provider of prepaid access when there has 
been a failure by the parties to do so:
    a. Organizing the prepaid program.
    ``Organizing the prepaid program'' includes the initiation and 
establishment of the prepaid program. This may involve actions or 
activities as diverse as identifying the need for a prepaid program, 
developing a business plan, obtaining financing, and contracting with 
other principals. A participant that organizes the prepaid program 
demonstrates oversight and control.
    b. Setting the terms and conditions of the prepaid program and 
determining that the terms have not been exceeded.
    This factor concerns the technical specifications involved in 
establishing and operating the prepaid program. Setting the terms and 
conditions encompasses a range of decisions concerning sales locations 
for prepaid access, fees assessed for activation and reloading, 
providing customer service, and other aspects of the program. A 
participant that sets the terms and conditions of a prepaid program 
demonstrates oversight and control.
    c. Determining the other businesses that will participate in the 
prepaid program, which may include the issuing bank, the payment 
processor, or the distributor.
    This factor addresses the participant that identifies and recruits 
the other participants involved in the prepaid program. The provider of 
prepaid access may choose other participants based on geographic 
proximity, specialized expertise in a particular line of prepaid access 
such as payroll programs, market expertise, or other considerations. 
Regardless of the reasons other participants are chosen, a participant 
that determines the other entities involved demonstrates oversight and 
control.
    d. Controlling or directing the appropriate party to initiate, 
freeze, or terminate prepaid access.
    The ability to affect the movement of funds is a very important 
factor in determining the provider of prepaid access. We understand 
that a participant in a prepaid program may exercise this authority 
alone, in tandem with other participants or at the direction of law 
enforcement or judicial authority. A participant that either moves or 
suspends funds or directs another participant to move or suspend funds 
demonstrates oversight and control.
    e. Engaging in activity that demonstrates oversight and control of 
the prepaid program.
    This factor is intended to capture situations where oversight and 
control may be evidenced by activities that do not fit squarely within 
items (a) through (d), preceding. To the extent that both the prepaid 
industry and our understanding of it continue to evolve, this criterion 
provides the flexibility needed to ensure reasonable longevity for the 
rule.
3. Prepaid Program
    Section 1010.100(ff)(4)(iii) defines a prepaid program as an 
arrangement under which one or more persons acting together provide(s) 
prepaid access. There are circumstances, however, where particular 
arrangements involving prepaid access may be organized in such a way 
that they do not fall within the definition of a prepaid program. 
Arrangements whose operations fall squarely within one or more of the 
exclusions described below in (a)-(d) present such a low risk of money 
laundering or other illicit behavior that they do not justify 
regulation under the BSA and are therefore, not deemed to be a prepaid 
program under the rule. An arrangement is not a prepaid program if:
    a. It provides closed loop prepaid access to funds not to exceed 
$2,000 maximum value that can be associated with a prepaid access 
device or vehicle on any day.
    An arrangement that provides closed loop prepaid access to funds 
not to exceed $2,000 is not defined under this rule as a prepaid 
program. The effort required to use closed loop prepaid access for the 
placement, layering or integration of funds makes them unattractive and 
unlikely vehicles for moving large sums of money efficiently. Closed 
loop prepaid access is only used for particular goods or services, 
which limits the ability to use it to move money quickly and easily in 
large amounts. The limitation to an identifiable merchant (which is an 
element of the definition of ``closed loop prepaid access,'' as 
discussed below) similarly restricts the utility of closed loop prepaid 
access for money laundering purposes.
    As discussed above, the exemption for closed loop prepaid access 
has been changed in response to comments. The exemption now applies to 
closed loop prepaid access of less than $2,000 maximum value.\32\ 
Unlike the NPRM, it exempts such closed loop prepaid access even if it 
allows international use, transfers within the prepaid program, or 
loading from non-depository sources. We believe these changes more 
accurately reflect the risks associated with closed loop prepaid 
access.
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    \32\ See II. e.2 above. The threshold of $2,000 reflects a 
balancing of concerns between retailers and law enforcement and 
FinCEN's intent to assess money laundering risks while facilitating 
legitimate commerce.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    b. It provides prepaid access solely to funds provided by a 
Federal, State, local, Territory and Insular Possession, or Tribal 
government agency.
    Various government agencies provide funds for many types of 
obligations such as salaries, tax refunds and benefits including 
unemployment, child support, disability, Social Security, veterans' 
benefits and disaster relief assistance through prepaid access. Given 
governmental oversight over these programs and the single source of the 
funds, we see minimal opportunity for the placement or layering of 
illicit funds into the financial system through prepaid access to 
government benefits.
    As discussed above, the exemption for government funded prepaid 
access has been changed in response to comments

[[Page 45411]]

to exempt all such prepaid access without regard to international use, 
transfers within the prepaid program, or loading from non-depository 
sources. These changes more accurately reflect the low risks associated 
with government funded prepaid access.
    c. It provides prepaid access solely to funds from pre-tax flexible 
spending arrangements for health care and dependent care expenses, or 
from Health Reimbursement Arrangements (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 105(b) 
and 125) for health care expenses.
    Generally administered by a central payor, these arrangements are 
pre-funded by employee and/or employer contributions to an account 
maintained by the payor. There are maximum annual dollar limits 
established for these accounts, and the funds can only be accessed as 
reimbursement for defined, qualifying expenses. We believe that these 
types of highly controlled, low risk accounts are of minimal value to 
potential money launderers as a means of placing or layering funds. For 
this reason, we have excluded these arrangements from the definition of 
prepaid program.
    As discussed above, the exemption for health and dependent care 
flexible spending prepaid access has been changed in response to 
comments to exempt all such prepaid access even if it allows 
international use, transfers within the arrangement, or loading from 
non-depository sources. We believe these changes more accurately 
reflect the low risks associated with health and dependent care 
flexible spending prepaid access.
    d. It provides prepaid access solely to (i) employment benefits, 
incentives, wages or salaries; or (ii) funds not to exceed $1,000 
maximum value and from which no more than $1,000 maximum value can be 
initially or subsequently loaded, used, or withdrawn on any one day 
through a device or vehicle, subject to certain limitations.
    Prepaid access to benefits and salaries and prepaid access subject 
to low funds limits do not fall within the definition of prepaid 
program under this final rule unless they contain certain higher risk 
features that obscure financial transparency, thereby meriting 
regulation. Specifically, arrangements limited to funding employment 
benefits, incentives, wages or salaries, and those limited to funds not 
to exceed $1,000 maximum value and from which no more than $1,000 
maximum value can be initially or subsequently loaded, used, or 
withdrawn on any day through a device or vehicle, do not fall within 
the definition of prepaid program under this final rule if they do not 
allow international use, person-to-person transfers, or loading from 
non-depository sources.
    i. Employment benefits, incentives, wages or salaries.
    In most employer-employee relationships, the necessary personal 
details regarding the employee (such as full name, address, date of 
birth and a government identification number) are known to the 
employer. In those situations, where the individual employees paid 
under the program are identified by the employer, and where this 
information is shared with (or made available to) the provider of 
prepaid access, there are sufficient checks on possible money 
laundering abuse to warrant exclusion for this type of program. These 
payroll programs, in addition to regularly scheduled wage and benefits 
payments, may also include bonus or incentive payments paid at 
intervals outside the norm. This exemption applies only to arrangements 
in which the employer, and not the employee, can add to the funds. The 
ability to co-mingle funds accessed through the payroll card from 
sources other than the employer would obscure financial transparency 
and greatly increase the money laundering risk. The payment of 
``[b]enefits, incentives, wages or salaries'' solely from the employer 
generally does not represent an opportunity for the placement of ill-
gotten funds into the financial system (at least as distinct from 
criminal activity on the part of the employer originating the payments, 
not related to the use of prepaid access).
    ii. Funds not to exceed $1,000 maximum value and from which no more 
than $1,000 maximum value can be initially or subsequently loaded, 
used, or withdrawn on any day through a device or vehicle.
    We believe that the potential for misuse is significantly lessened 
where the prepaid access is to funds limited to a $1,000 maximum 
limitation and no subsequent loading or reloading can increase the 
funds beyond the stated maximum on any day through a device or vehicle. 
We have chosen a $1,000 maximum for this provision for a number of 
reasons: (1) 2009--2010 industry research findings for average and 
maximum initial loads; \33\ (2) consistency with thresholds established 
for other MSB categories; and (3) the appropriate balance between the 
concerns expressed by law enforcement and industry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ FinCEN conducted research of prepaid program providers and 
reviewed the maximum daily load values of various programs available 
on public Web sites. Generally, programs reviewed through this 
research restricted cash loads or withdrawals to $950 or less per 
day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This final rule differs from the NPRM in that the phrasing of the 
$1,000 maximums has been collapsed from three separate subsections into 
one because it is more concise and, we believe, clearer. It also 
clarifies that this limitation applies to a single device or vehicle, 
not across an entire prepaid program. Additionally, the NPRM included a 
requirement that the maximum value of the prepaid access product 
eligible for this exemption must be clearly visible on the product 
itself. The final rule does not include this requirement based on 
present concerns, as informed by some comments, that the requirement 
may be un-workable and may not be technologically neutral.
    iii. Limitations on the payroll and limited value prepaid access 
exemptions.
    Payroll cards and limited value prepaid access devices or vehicles 
are subject to a qualified exception under the final rule, allowing the 
programs to fall outside of the requirements unless key risk factors 
change. Specifically, the exemption is not applicable, and prepaid 
program status is triggered, if funds can be transmitted 
internationally, electronically transferred to other users of the 
prepaid access, or reloaded at a non-depository institution. While not 
inherently suspect, arrangements having these characteristics have 
risks significantly greater than the otherwise minimal risk presented 
by payroll and limited value prepaid access arrangements.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ For a fuller discussion on the risks inherent in 
international use of prepaid access, see 75 FR 36589, 36599-600.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Definition of Seller of Prepaid Access

    In the NPRM, a seller of prepaid access was defined as ``any person 
that receives funds or the value of funds in exchange for providing 
prepaid access as part of a prepaid program directly to the person that 
provided the funds or value, or to a third party as directed by that 
person.'' As discussed more fully below, FinCEN has modified the 
definition of seller of prepaid access to cover a much smaller, more 
targeted universe of retailers. The NPRM also proposed to require 
sellers of prepaid access to: (1) Develop and implement an effective 
AML program; (2) report suspicious activity; and (3) comply with 
recordkeeping requirements related to customer identifying information 
and transactional data. These regulatory requirements remain largely 
unchanged in the final rule.

[[Page 45412]]

    In the final rule, FinCEN has replaced the phrase ``* * * in 
exchange for providing prepaid access as part of a prepaid program 
directly to the person that provided the funds or value, or to a third 
party as directed by that person'' with ``in exchange for an initial 
loading or subsequent loading of prepaid access. * * *'' Thus, if the 
other conditions of the rule are met, a person is a seller of prepaid 
access if the person accepts payment in exchange for the initial or 
subsequent loading of prepaid access. The modified language more 
clearly articulates the types of transactions covered under the 
definition.
    As proposed, the rule would only apply to retailers that sell 
prepaid access devices or vehicles that are part of a prepaid program 
as defined in the rule. One of the primary issues raised in the comment 
letters was that low-dollar closed loop prepaid access (with some 
comments also referring to closed loop prepaid access that permits 
international use), was covered under the proposed definition of 
prepaid program. As such, the proposed rule would have subjected 
retailers that sell such prepaid access to regulation as sellers of 
prepaid access. Commenters argued that low-dollar closed loop prepaid 
access is relatively low-risk, and retailers that sell such access 
should not be subject to the regulation by virtue of that activity 
alone. FinCEN agrees that low-dollar closed loop prepaid access poses 
limited money laundering risks. Therefore, as discussed above, FinCEN 
has modified the definition of prepaid program in the final rule to 
cover only closed loop prepaid access with a value of $2,000 or more. 
Additionally, as discussed above, the definition of prepaid program in 
the final rule does not cover closed loop prepaid access merely because 
it can be used internationally. Under the final rule, retailers that 
sell low-dollar closed loop prepaid access are not subject to 
regulation as sellers of prepaid access by virtue of that activity 
alone. However, retailers that sell high-dollar (in excess of $2,000) 
closed loop prepaid access are subject to regulation as sellers of 
prepaid access.
    FinCEN continues to believe that prepaid access such as general 
purpose reloadable products with no restrictions on international use 
poses heightened money laundering risks, regardless of the value of the 
funds to which such access is being provided. As discussed above, the 
final rule adopts the formulation in the NPRM that includes this 
prepaid access under the definition of prepaid program. Accordingly, 
this type of prepaid access triggers the regulatory obligations 
applicable to both providers and sellers of prepaid access.
    Under section 1010.100(ff)(7) of the final rule, a seller of 
prepaid access is any person that receives funds or the value of funds 
in exchange for an initial loading or subsequent loading of prepaid 
access if that person sells prepaid access offered under a prepaid 
program that can be used before verification of customer identification 
under Sec.  1022.210(d)(1)(iv); or sells prepaid access (including 
closed loop prepaid access) to funds that exceed $10,000 to any person 
during any one day, and has not implemented policies and procedures 
reasonably adapted to prevent such a sale.
    Under paragraph (ff)(7)(i), a person is a seller of prepaid access 
if the person sells any prepaid access under any prepaid program, where 
the customer can use the prepaid access before verification of customer 
identification by any participant in the prepaid program. However, a 
person is not a seller of prepaid access under this provision with 
respect to the sale of prepaid access that requires post-purchase 
activation and the collection of customer identifying information 
before use. The phrase ``that can be used before verification of 
customer identification'' only refers to use of features of a prepaid 
access product that would make it qualify as a prepaid program. For 
example, the sale of a prepaid access product that allowed the initial 
funds loaded, if below $1,000, to be used for purchases and did not 
have access to features such as international use, person-to-person 
transfers, and loads from non-depository sources prior to verification 
would not make a retailer a seller. FinCEN believes this approach 
appropriately regulates retailers that sell high-risk products, while 
not imposing undue obligations on retailers that only sell relatively 
low-risk products.
    Under paragraph (ff)(7)(ii), a person is a seller of prepaid access 
if the person sells any prepaid access--even that which is not covered 
under the definition of prepaid program--that provides access to more 
than $10,000 to any person during any one day, subject to an exemption 
for retailers with policies and procedures reasonably adapted to 
prevent such sales. FinCEN believes this additional activity threshold 
is necessary in light of FinCEN's more targeted approach to regulating 
sellers of prepaid access in this final rule. All retailers should 
already be familiar with reporting requirements for cash transactions 
exceeding $10,000. Retailers are obligated under the BSA rules to file 
reports on the receipt of currency in excess of $10,000 in the course 
of engaging in a trade or business.\35\ However, the sale of prepaid 
access in an amount greater than $10,000 should automatically raise a 
red flag with a retailer, regardless of whether the customer makes the 
purchase in cash or some other form of payment. High dollar 
transactions involving prepaid access pose inherent money laundering 
risks. To permit such transactions to occur without the prospect of any 
BSA reporting or recordkeeping requirements, other than the reporting 
of cash transactions, would deprive law enforcement of access to highly 
useful information. Therefore, it is appropriate to regulate retailers 
that sell prepaid access in an amount greater than $10,000, requiring 
them to maintain an anti-money laundering program, report suspicious 
activity and collect customer identifying information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See 31 CFR 1010.330(a), formerly 31 CFR 103.30(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, we do not think it is necessary to impose such regulatory 
burdens on retailers that implement and adhere to policies and 
procedures that are reasonably adapted to prevent the sale of more than 
$10,000 of prepaid access. This is consistent with a risk-based 
regulatory approach. Retailers may take into consideration their lines 
of business, customer base, and prepaid access sales volume in 
developing their internal policies and procedures in such a way as to 
reduce their risk of money laundering. FinCEN believes that such a 
risk-based approach for sellers strikes the right balance with respect 
to including certain sellers within the scope of the rule, while at the 
same time enabling those with lower risks to avoid the full scope of 
the rule. FinCEN believes the definition of seller of prepaid access 
will apply to a relatively small number of retailers and will not 
impose an unjustifiable burden on any retailers.

C. Definition of Prepaid Access

    The prior regulations used the term ``stored value.'' 31 CFR 
1010.100(ww), formerly 103.11(vv), defined the term as funds or the 
value of funds represented in digital electronic format (whether or not 
specially encrypted) and stored or capable of storage on electronic 
media in such a way as to be retrievable and transferable 
electronically. The term ``stored value,'' as discussed previously, was 
known from its inception to be a less-than-perfect label for this 
payment mechanism, given that no value is actually ``stored'' on the 
card. Very shortly after the publication of the MSB final rule in 1999, 
the term ``prepaid''

[[Page 45413]]

emerged as the more common industry term. This rule revises our term to 
correspond to the more accurate, more prevalent term in the 
marketplace.
    This rule employs more precise terminology while still striving for 
regulatory flexibility, so that the rule will not become obsolete with 
the next innovative product. We believe the definition has the 
necessary regulatory elasticity to survive future technological 
advancements. Specifically, we define ``prepaid access'' as ``[a]ccess 
to funds or the value of funds that have been paid in advance and can 
be retrieved or transferred at some point in the future through an 
electronic device or vehicle, such as a card, code, electronic serial 
number, mobile identification number, or personal identification 
number.'' The definition has been changed somewhat from that proposed 
in the NPRM to clarify that prepaid access is not itself a device or 
vehicle, but that such a device or vehicle is a means through which 
prepaid funds are accessed. The two main elements of prepaid access are 
stated in the definition: (1) funds have been paid in advance; and (2) 
those funds can be retrieved or transferred at some point in the 
future. We also reduce the number of examples in the definition to 
eliminate redundancy.

D. Definition of Closed Loop Prepaid Access

    The term ``closed loop prepaid access'' is defined as ``[p]repaid 
access to funds or the value of funds that can be used only for goods 
or services involving a defined merchant or location (or a set of 
locations), such as a specific retailer or retail chain, a college 
campus, or a subway system.'' This definition, which supersedes the 
definition of ``closed loop stored value'' proposed in FinCEN's 2009 
MSB rulemaking, revises slightly the definition proposed in the NPRM. 
Compared to the definition proposed in the NPRM, it limits closed loop 
prepaid access to use for goods and services, excluding transfers of 
value to third parties and cash withdrawals.\36\ It continues to limit 
closed loop prepaid access to transactions involving a defined merchant 
or location(s). In this context, FinCEN wishes to clarify that a 
defined merchant may comprise a set of affiliated retailers or retail 
chains.
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    \36\ Other than de minimis redemptions of cash value required by 
law, see, e.g., Cal. Civ. Code 1749.5(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Anti-Money Laundering Programs for Money Services Businesses

    This rule revises the regulation implementing 31 U.S.C. 5318(h) 
that requires MSBs to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering 
program. Specifically, it amends 31 CFR 1022.210(d)(1), formerly 31 CFR 
103.125(d)(1), by prescribing that, as part of their anti-money 
laundering programs, providers and sellers of prepaid access must have 
policies and procedures for access to and retention of customer 
identifying information and either retaining that information (in the 
case of sellers of prepaid access) or retaining access to that 
information (in the case of providers of prepaid access).
    In implementing 31 CFR 1022.210, FinCEN stated that the uniqueness 
of each financial institution required the adaptation of policies, 
procedures, and internal controls to a level commensurate to the risks 
in the financial institution's business model, including geography and 
customer base. Therefore, we did not intend for each MSB to have 
identical policies and procedures for their AML programs. Based on 
inherent risks, some businesses would be required to implement more 
comprehensive policies, procedures, and internal controls than others.
    This regulation adds a customer information recordkeeping 
requirement (including, name, date of birth, address, and 
identification number) for the provider and seller of prepaid access. 
Providers of prepaid access must retain access to such identifying 
information for five years after the last use of the prepaid access. 
Sellers of prepaid access must retain such identifying information for 
five years from the date of the sale of the prepaid access. FinCEN 
believes that obtaining and retaining (or retaining access to) such 
customer information is necessary for greater financial transparency 
concerning the purchasers of prepaid access. We anticipate that access 
to and retention of such records will assist providers and sellers, and 
may be of great value to law enforcement.
    The requirement that providers of prepaid access must obtain the 
identifying information of a person who obtains prepaid access under a 
prepaid program is linked to and narrowed by the definition of 
``prepaid program.'' Accordingly, providers of prepaid access in an 
arrangement that does not fall within the definition of a prepaid 
program under 31 CFR 1010.100(ff)(4)(iii) will not be required to 
obtain customer information. For example, prepaid access to funds less 
than $1,000 through a device or vehicle that does not allow 
international use, transfers between prepaid access products within one 
prepaid program, or loads from non-depository sources does not require 
a provider to collect customer identification.
    With respect to sellers of prepaid access, there are two situations 
under which customer information must be collected. Under one 
situation, sellers that fall within the scope of the regulations by 
virtue of the definition at 31 CFR 1010.100(ff)(7)(i) (i.e., where the 
customer can access funds under a prepaid access program without 
verification of customer identification) are responsible for collecting 
customer information. Since this definition is also linked to the 
definition of prepaid program, this situation will involve both the 
provider and the seller of prepaid access being responsible for the 
collection of this information. While both are responsible under the 
regulation for the collection of this information, they may agree with 
one another as to which will collect the information. Under the other 
situation, sellers that fall within the scope of the regulations by 
virtue of 31 CFR 1010.100(ff)(7)(ii) (i.e., sale of any type of prepaid 
access in a combined amount greater than $10,000) must also obtain 
customer identification. Since this definition is linked to the sale of 
more than $10,000 of any type of prepaid access, whether covered under 
a prepaid program or not (including closed loop access), there may be 
situations under which the seller, but not the provider, is obligated 
to collect the customer information.
    The rule requires collection, verification, and retention of 
standard identifying information, including name, date of birth, 
address, and identification number. This information will be highly 
useful to law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of 
criminal, tax, and regulatory investigations and proceedings. These 
requirements are intended to mirror the customer identification 
programs required of other financial institutions and draws on the 
explanations and interpretations issued with respect to those 
requirements.\37\ Providers and sellers of prepaid access are reminded 
that the AML programs they develop pursuant to this rule should be 
appropriate for their prepaid program operations. AML programs must be 
sufficiently detailed with standards and criteria specified for how the 
information is to be accessed, collected, verified, and retained. There 
should also be provisions addressing communication to employees and for 
the training of any individuals or entities acting as their agents.
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    \37\ 31 CFR 1020.220(a), formerly 103.121(b).

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[[Page 45414]]

F. Reports by Money Services Businesses of Suspicious Transactions

    This rule revises the regulation implementing 31 U.S.C. 5318(g), 
which requires MSBs to report certain suspicious activity. In 
particular, this rule removes the stored value exemption, found at 31 
CFR 1022.320(a)(5), formerly 103.20(a)(5), from the regulation 
requiring MSBs to report suspicious activity. When the exemption was 
proposed, FinCEN considered issuers, sellers, and redeemers of stored 
value to be among the institutions that could provide valuable 
information concerning suspicious transactions.\38\ However, at that 
time FinCEN determined that it was not appropriate to specifically 
require issuers, sellers, and redeemers of stored value to file SARs 
because of the infancy of the industry and the fledgling use of stored 
value products in the United States.\39\ Over the last decade, however, 
the growth of the prepaid industry has made it an attractive medium 
through which money launderers can conduct illicit transactions. 
Prepaid access is easily transportable and, in some cases, can be 
loaded from a number of different locations. Therefore, the underlying 
rationale for the exemption from SAR reporting no longer applies.
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    \38\ 62 FR 27900, 27904 (May 21, 1997).
    \39\ Id.
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G. Registration of Money Services Businesses

    This rule revises the regulation implementing 31 U.S.C. 5330 that 
requires MSBs to register with FinCEN. Specifically, FinCEN is amending 
31 CFR 1022.380, formerly 31 CFR 103.41, by removing the exemption from 
registration accorded to issuers, sellers, and redeemers of stored 
value. Since the initial exemption was granted, the prepaid access 
industry has experienced rapid growth. FinCEN no longer feels that 
regulatory requirements such as registration will inhibit the 
successful development of the industry. By removing the exemption, 
providers of prepaid access will now be required to register as MSBs 
with FinCEN.\40\
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    \40\ Any MSB, including a seller of prepaid access, that is an 
MSB solely because it is the agent of another MSB, is exempt from 
the registration requirement. See 31 CFR 1022.380(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Identifying information about each of the individual prepaid 
programs for which an entity serves as provider is fundamentally 
important to the law enforcement community. The most efficient way to 
obtain this information and make it available for law enforcement use 
is via the registration process, which now requires that ``[e]ach 
provider of prepaid access must identify each prepaid program for which 
it is the provider of prepaid access.'' A provider of prepaid access 
registering as an MSB must submit, as part of its registration and 
registration renewals, a complete list of the prepaid programs for 
which it serves as provider. The list of prepaid programs must include 
sufficient identifying information for FinCEN and law enforcement to 
identify the provider of prepaid access based on the information 
submitted in the registration process and the information present on 
the device or included with the vehicle.
    Compliance with the requirement that a complete list of prepaid 
programs be submitted with registration, however, will require a change 
to FinCEN Form 107, Registration of Money Services Business. The 
current form does not contain a field in which such information can be 
included. FinCEN will soon publish a new proposed form for notice and 
comment which makes a number of conforming changes to reflect this 
final rule, including renaming stored value prepaid access and allowing 
for identification of prepaid programs. Accordingly, this rule provides 
that compliance with 31 CFR 1022.380 is not required until six months 
after the date of publication of this final rule in the Federal 
Register, by which time the revised FinCEN Form 107, Registration of 
Money Services Business, will be final and available.

H. Records Required To Be Maintained By Money Services Businesses

    Our discussions with the law enforcement community have revealed 
the utility of detailed records and recordkeeping on the part of 
regulated financial institutions over a substantial period of time, 
generally five years. This facilitates investigations in which law 
enforcement is attempting to reconstruct a pattern, or a history of 
transaction activity, that substantiates criminal behavior involving 
prepaid products or services. Section 1022.210 requires access to 
recordkeeping related to the customer involved in the initial purchase 
of the prepaid access product. Section 1022.420 requires access to 
transactional records generated in the ordinary course of business that 
would be necessary to reconstruct prepaid access activation, loads, 
reloads, purchases, withdrawals, transfers, or other prepaid related 
transactions for a period of five years.
    These records would routinely reflect: (1) Type of transaction (ATM 
withdrawals, point-of-sale purchase, etc.); (2) amount and location of 
transaction; (3) date and time of transaction; and (4) any other unique 
identifiers related to transactions. These records need not be kept in 
any particular format, or by any particular participant in the prepaid 
program. The provider of prepaid access, however, bears the 
responsibility for complying with these recordkeeping requirements. 
Additionally, the records must be easily accessible and retrievable 
upon the appropriate request of FinCEN, law enforcement or judicial 
order.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    When an agency issues a rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(``RFA'') requires the agency to ``prepare and make available for 
public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis'' which will 
``describe the impact of the rule on small entities'' (5 U.S.C. 
603(a)). Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in 
lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

A. Impact on Providers of Prepaid Access

    1. Estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule will 
apply
    For the purpose of arriving at an estimated number of providers of 
prepaid access, FinCEN is relying on information regarding the 
industries as identified by their North American Industry 
Classification System (``NAICS'') \41\ codes. In particular, FinCEN 
finds that prepaid providers will be listed as NAICS code 522320 
(Financial transaction processing, reserve and clearinghouse 
activities). The United States Census Bureau estimates there are about 
3000 entities in this classification. However, this classification 
includes services that are outside of those provided by prepaid 
providers (i.e. check validation services, bank clearinghouse 
associations, and credit card processing services). Because prepaid 
providers utilize electronic funds transfers systems to conduct 
business, FinCEN narrowed the estimated industry to those entities that 
are within NAICS code 522320 and perform either electronic funds 
transfers or electronic financial payment services. FinCEN was unable 
to obtain a number for these entities from the United States

[[Page 45415]]

Census Bureau and therefore relies on commercial database information. 
Based on this information, FinCEN estimates that there are 700 entities 
that share this classification.\42\ Within this classification those 
entities that have less than seven million dollars in gross revenue are 
considered small. FinCEN estimates that 93% of the affected industry is 
considered a small business, and that the regulation will affect all of 
them.\43\
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    \41\ NAICS was developed as the standard for use by Federal 
statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the 
collection, analysis, and publication of statistical data related to 
the business economy of the United States. NAICS was developed under 
the auspices of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and 
adopted in 1997.
    \42\ Dun and Bradstreet, D&B Duns Market Identifiers Plus (US) 
(Accessed on Nov 19, 2009) (Search of Codes NAICS 522320 with 
removal of outlying institutions).
    \43\ For NAICS code 522320, those entities that generate less 
than $7 million in annual revenue are considered small entities by 
the SBA. FinCEN estimates that each prepaid card generates $450 in 
annual revenue to a prepaid provider through all relevant fees such 
as purchase and maintenance fees. For analytical purposes, we 
consider any prepaid provider issuing no more than 15,000 cards 
annually to be a ``small entity.'' [15,000 x $450 = $6.7 million].
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2. Description of the Projected Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Requirements of the Rule
    The rule requires prepaid providers to comply with the same BSA 
requirements as those with which other MSBs are already complying. By 
requiring this, FinCEN is addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. 
financial system and is leveling the playing field among MSBs. 
Currently, all MSBs are required to maintain AML programs, report 
certain currency transactions, and maintain certain records. Also, 
MSBs, except check cashers and issuers, sellers, and redeemers of 
stored value, have been required to file reports on suspicious 
transactions. The rule requires prepaid providers to comply with these 
same requirements. The rule requires prepaid providers to register with 
FinCEN. Additionally, prepaid providers are required to maintain 
records about customer identification and transactional information. As 
discussed below, FinCEN does not foresee a significant impact on the 
regulated industry from these requirements.
3. AML Program Requirement in General
    The rule requires prepaid providers to maintain AML programs. The 
majority of providers have not been previously required by regulation 
to maintain AML programs. However, FinCEN does not believe there are 
special skills required to develop an AML program other than 
effectively identifying risk. Risk assessment is a standard, 
fundamental precept of any entity seeking to limit fraud, loss, and 
other harm to the business.
    To assist entities new to FinCEN oversight, we offer guidance and 
information through our public Web site and through a toll-free, live 
telephone helpline. We publish overview and compliance guidance in 
English and eight other languages, provided free of charge upon 
request. In all of this information, we emphasize that an AML program 
should be commensurate with an institution's risks stemming from 
various factors including size. Therefore, we would generally expect a 
smaller entity's AML Program to be less complex than that of a larger 
entity, involving the dedication of less time and fewer resources. 
Additionally, through discussions with industry and representations 
from a prepaid card association, FinCEN has determined that prepaid 
providers are already maintaining AML programs, typically as part of 
their contractual obligations to their partner banks or credit card 
networks. When an issuing bank partners with a prepaid provider the 
bank may require that the provider maintain an AML program commensurate 
with the bank's risk tolerance. To assist these prepaid providers, 
prepaid card associations publish reports on AML best practices. 
Providers that may already be contractually obligated to maintain an 
AML program through an agreement with the issuing bank will now be 
legally required to do so under this rule. FinCEN estimates that the 
impact of this requirement will be minimal as it only codifies current 
business practice.
4. Currency Transaction Reporting
    The rule will require prepaid providers to report transactions in 
currency in amounts greater than $10,000. Because the average load 
amounts for prepaid cards are well below the $10,000 threshold and the 
majority of prepaid loads above $1,000 are made through direct deposit, 
FinCEN does not foresee a significant burden in this requirement. In 
support of this assertion, several prepaid providers have stated to 
FinCEN that they have rarely, if ever, encountered a transaction of 
over $10,000 in currency, per person, per day, associated with their 
prepaid programs.
5. Suspicious Activity Reporting
    The rule will require prepaid providers to report on transactions 
of $2,000 or more which they determine to be suspicious. Prepaid 
providers have not been required previously to comply with such a 
requirement by regulation. It is important to highlight that these 
reports are not required to be filed unless a transaction is suspicious 
and is for an amount of $2,000 or more. The average transaction amount 
for a point-of-sale debit is about $40.\44\ This is substantially less 
than the $2,000 threshold. Additionally, through an overview of 
currently operating programs, FinCEN has determined that few prepaid 
programs allow a customer to withdraw more than $1,000 from an ATM in a 
day. Lastly, in discussions with the industry, prepaid providers 
indicated that they rarely encountered transactions for which they 
would need to file a SAR if required by regulation. Therefore, FinCEN 
estimates that the number of SARs required to be filed by prepaid 
providers and sellers will be low. FinCEN estimates the cost to 
generate such SAR at $36.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ Cheney, Julia ``An Update on trends in the Debit Card 
Market,'' Payment Cards Center, June 2007, pg. 3 (citing The Nilson 
Report Issue 865); available at http://www.phil.frb.org/payment-cards-center/publications/discussion-papers/2007/D2007JuneUpdateDebitCardMarketTrends.pdf.
    \45\ FinCEN's estimate of 90 minutes to complete and record a 
SAR multiplied by the average hourly wage of a compliance officer 
($24.57) is $36. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean 
hourly wage of a compliance officer is $24.47. See Bureau of Labor 
Statistics, ``Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2006'', http://www.bls.gov/oes/2006/may/oes131041.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FinCEN understands that the costs in SAR reporting go beyond the 
actual cost in filing the report and include procedures in place to 
monitor transactions. FinCEN also understands that a majority of 
prepaid providers are already engaged in this monitoring. To assist 
small entities with compliance, FinCEN provides a SAR Reference Guide 
in English and eight other languages.\46\
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    \46\ http://www.fincen.gov/financial_institutions/msb/materials.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Customer Identification Information Collection and Retention
    The rule will require prepaid providers and sellers to implement 
procedures to collect and retain customer information relating to 
prepaid access within prepaid programs as defined by this rule. 
Providers of prepaid access have not previously been required to retain 
this information by regulation.
    Similar to the discussion of AML programs above, prepaid providers 
are currently required to obtain and retain customer identification 
information through contractual obligations with the bank partners. 
Since the implementation of section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, banks 
have been required to obtain customer identification for each account 
they open. Through discussions with prepaid industry members and 
associations, FinCEN has determined that, to mitigate

[[Page 45416]]

risks, banks have extended this customer information requirement to 
their prepaid provider partners through contractual obligations. 
Therefore, some providers of prepaid access are already obtaining and 
maintaining information on their customers to comply with contractual 
obligations. Beyond these obligations, many prepaid providers are 
maintaining this information to assist in their fraud monitoring and 
targeted marketing programs. FinCEN estimates the time required to 
obtain customer information under this rule at 2 minutes per prepaid 
access card. In our analysis of the effects of this portion of the rule 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
we have attempted to extrapolate from available business resources and 
information (e.g., commercial databases, U.S. government Web sites and 
publications) to the available open-source data about the emerging 
prepaid industry. For both RFA and PRA, we sought to determine the 
overall impact of this portion of the rule by identifying increases to 
total business payroll costs.
    As explained previously under this section, in footnote 
50, we have calculated that each prepaid card generates 
approximately $450 in annual revenue to a prepaid provider. Using the 
most applicable NAICS category, and the identification of $7 million or 
less in annual revenue as the Small Business Administration's 
definition of a ``small business'' for this category, we have arrived 
at a determination of a very modest projected impact on annual company 
payroll.
    We applied the two minute time allotment per prepaid access card, 
described above, to the number of prepaid cards issued annually by a 
small business prepaid provider (15,000), to arrive at a total time 
value of 30,000 minutes (or 500 hours). Since we have previously stated 
that we believe the average lifespan of a prepaid card to be three 
years, we divided the total by 3, and multiplied using the $25 average 
hourly wage of a compliance officer (see footnote 43) to 
calculate a total annual impact on company payroll of $4,100. This 
figure represents an impact of only .2 percent of the average annual 
payroll of $1.8 million for entities under this NAICS category.
    For comparative purposes, we also applied the same analysis to 
entities generating only $100,000 in annual revenue, considered by the 
SBA to be the minimum level of a ``small business'' within this NAICS 
category. Small businesses at this revenue level would issue 
approximately 220 cards per year. Applying the same assumptions for 
revenue level per card, hourly salary for compliance personnel and 
lifespan of a card, the calculations (using average annual payroll of 
$64,000 for these entities within the NAICS category 522320) results in 
an increase of 2 hours (or $50 annually) for a very marginal effect on 
total annual company payroll of .07 percent.
7. Transaction Records Generated in the Ordinary Course of Business
    The rule will require providers of prepaid access to retain 
transaction specific records generated in the ordinary course of 
business. Currently, providers are not required to maintain these 
records under the BSA. However, for transactions processed through a 
point-of-sale system or other access gateway, the Electronic Funds 
Transfer Act requires the retention of this information for a period of 
two years.\47\ FinCEN will extend this retention to a period of five 
years to be commensurate with other BSA record retention obligations. 
In its PRA statement, FinCEN estimates that the annual impact of this 
requirement is 16 hours per recordkeeper. FinCEN has determined that 
for those entities with annual revenue close to $7,000,000, this 
requirement will increase costs to payroll by .02%. For those entities 
with annual revenue of $100,000, this requirement will increase costs 
to payroll by .6%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See 12 CFR 205.13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Registration of Providers
    The rule will require providers of prepaid access to register with 
FinCEN. The FinCEN registration form is two pages and must be filed 
once every two years. Under OMB control number 1506-0013, FinCEN 
estimates that the biannual burden from reporting and recordkeeping 
associated with this registration is two and a half hours.\48\ In 
accordance with the estimated hours in its PRA statement, FinCEN 
estimates that this requirement will impact small entities by $36 
annually.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ The estimated average annual burden associated with the 
recordkeeping requirement in 31 CFR 1022.380 is 30 minutes per 
recordkeeper for the completion, filing, and recordkeeping of 
registration forms, and an additional 120 minutes for the 
completion, filing, and recordkeeping of the list of prepaid 
programs subject to the regulation.
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B. Impact on Sellers of Prepaid Access

1. Estimate of the Number of Small Entities To Which the Rule Will 
Apply
    For the purpose of identifying sellers of prepaid access, FinCEN is 
unable to rely on NAICS codes because sellers, including grocery 
stores, convenience stores, and department stores, will be classified 
under the primary services that they provide. To arrive at an estimated 
number of sellers of prepaid access, FinCEN is relying on information 
about distribution channels obtained through informal discussions with 
members of the prepaid industry. In addition, FinCEN is relying on 
information concerning prepaid access selling patterns identified in 
the 2005 Money Services Business Industry Survey Study conducted by 
KPMG.\49\
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    \49\ http://www.fincen.gov/news_room/rp/reports/pdf/FinCEN_MSB_2005_Survey.pdf.
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    In the NPRM, FinCEN estimated that there were 70,000 sellers of 
prepaid access operating within prepaid programs. In response to 
comments received, FinCEN has made changes to the definition that 
substantially limits the number of sellers of prepaid access that will 
be affected by this final rule. First, closed loop prepaid access must 
provide access to funds in excess of $2,000 to be covered under the 
definition of prepaid program. The vast majority of retailers that sell 
closed loop prepaid access do not thereby provide access to amounts 
over $2,000. These retailers would not be subject to the final rule. 
Second, the final rule only affects retailers to the extent they either 
(1) sell prepaid access that is immediately useable at the point of 
sale and requires no later activation, or (2) sell prepaid access to 
more than $10,000 to any person on any day. Commenters to the NPRM 
indicated that very few prepaid programs, if any, permit immediate 
usage without a later activation process that includes appropriate 
customer identification procedures, and that very few retailers, if 
any, sell prepaid access in such large amounts.
    Retailers that sell immediately usable prepaid access that is not 
closed loop prepaid access are appropriately regulated as sellers of 
prepaid access under the final rule if those products pose heightened 
money laundering risks by: (1) Permitting access to funds in excess of 
$1,000; or (2) permitting international use, person-to-person 
transfers, or additional loading of funds from non-depository sources. 
The prepaid industry can avoid the regulation of retailers as sellers 
of prepaid access by implementing pre-use activation procedures that 
include appropriate customer identification information collection, 
already common with respect to many prepaid programs.
    Although FinCEN is unable to determine an exact number of sellers 
that participate in programs that pose heightened money laundering 
risks such as high-dollar anonymous programs, comments received in 
response to the

[[Page 45417]]

NPRM suggest that these products make up less than 1% of the current 
market. From this, we believe a small percentage of the population of 
retailers will be required to implement the full ambit of BSA 
requirements. In addition, based on an assessment of the number of 
stored value entities that have filed reports with FinCEN under BSA 
regulations, FinCEN believes there is further evidence that the number 
of entities engaging in activities that would trigger the requirements 
with respect to sellers of prepaid access can be estimated to be less 
than 700.\50\ Therefore, FinCEN estimates that the rule will have a 
significant impact on less than 1% of the 70,000 sellers estimated by 
FinCEN in its NPRM.
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    \50\ FinCEN received comments that stated the existence of 
products in amounts over $1,000 that can be used prior to customer 
identity verification is rare and these products would be issued by 
foreign banks instead as debit cards. FinCEN reviewed BSA 
information and conducted industry specific research to determine 
that virtually all reloadable prepaid cards that are purchased in 
the United States are associated with a major payment processor or 
domestic bank and require customer verification before the product 
can be used in amounts above $1,000. FinCEN also received comments 
that the international use of prepaid products issued in the United 
States is less than 1% of all use. Therefore, although FinCEN is 
unable to determine an exact number of businesses that sell these 
high-risk products, FinCEN estimates that it is less than 1% of all 
sellers.
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    Additionally, retailers that sell any type of prepaid access to 
funds in excess of $10,000 to any person during any one day are 
regulated as sellers of prepaid access under the final rule. Based on 
the comments received in response to the NPRM, FinCEN believes that 
such sales are exceedingly rare, and it would be relatively easy for 
retailers to implement policies and procedures that would ensure that 
they did not engage in such sales. Retailers that implement policies 
and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that they do not sell over 
$10,000 of prepaid access to one person in one day will not be 
considered sellers of prepaid access. Development and implementation of 
such policies and procedures will affect essentially all sellers.
2. Description of the Projected Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Requirements of the Rule
    Under the final rule, certain sellers, less than 1%, will be 
required to create an AML Program, file SARs and CTRs, and retain 
customer transaction information including obtaining the identification 
of the purchaser. Commenters expressed that although these activities 
have been performed by providers of prepaid access, these requirements 
would be a new burden imposed on the sellers of prepaid access and 
would have a significant impact on those sellers. As stated above, 
FinCEN revised the regulatory obligations on sellers, limiting the 
impact to only those sellers that sell a particular type of prepaid 
access other than closed loop prepaid access that allows high dollar 
amounts, international use, person-to-person transfers, or loads from 
non-depository sources. Both law enforcement and the industry agree 
that these are hallmarks of high risk for money laundering. Therefore, 
although the impact will be significant on a certain number of sellers, 
those sellers make up less than 1% of the population.
    The remaining 99% of retailers will be required to implement 
reasonable policies and procedures to ensure that they do not sell more 
than $10,000 of prepaid access devices to any one person in any one 
day. These procedures should be commensurate with the institution's 
level of risk.

C. Certification

    As discussed above, the final rule will affect two separate 
populations of small entities. Of the population of providers of 
prepaid access, the final rule will affect an estimated 700 providers 
of prepaid access, 93% of which are considered small entities. FinCEN 
estimates that the impact of the requirements will increase the annual 
payroll between .3% and .8% overall. FinCEN believes that this is not a 
significant impact.
    Of the population of sellers of prepaid access, the final rule will 
impact 70,000. The impact on 99% of these sellers will be 
insignificant. The only significant impact that FinCEN expects the 
final rule to have is on those sellers of prepaid access that sell 
certain products that are highly susceptible to criminal activity. As 
discussed above, FinCEN estimates that the population of entities that 
sell these products is less than 1% of all sellers.
    Accordingly, FinCEN certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act Notices

    The collections of information contained in this rule have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) 
under control numbers 1506-0013, 1506-0015, 1506-0020, 1506-0052, 1506-
0056, and 1506-0058.

A. AML Program for Providers and Sellers of Prepaid Access

    Anti-money laundering programs for money services businesses (31 
CFR 1022.210). OMB Control Number: 1506-0020.
    This information is required to be retained pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
5318(h) and 31 CFR 1022.210. The collection of information is 
mandatory.
    The information collected pursuant to 31 CFR 1022.210(c) will be 
used by examiners to determine whether providers of prepaid access 
comply with the BSA. By defining providers and sellers of prepaid 
access as MSBs, the rule will increase the estimated number of entities 
by 1400. However, by removing issuers, sellers, and redeemers of stored 
value from the definition of MSB, the rule will reduce the estimated 
number of entities by 10,000. Overall, the rule will decrease the 
number of entities that collect information under 31 CFR 1022.210(c) by 
8600.
    Description of Recordkeepers: MSBs as defined in 31 CFR 
1010.100(ff)(4) and (7).
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: The rule decreases the number of 
recordkeepers by 8600.
    Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours per Recordkeeper: The 
estimated average annual burden associated with the recordkeeping 
requirement in 31 CFR 1022.210(c) is one hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: The current burden 
will be reduced by 10,000 hours and increased by 1,400 hours, for a net 
decrease to the current burden of 8600 hours.

B. Customer Identification Requirement for Providers and Sellers of 
Prepaid Access

    The information collected pursuant to 31 CFR 1022.210(d) will be 
used by law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of criminal and 
regulatory laws. The rule affects an estimated 1400 providers and 
sellers of prepaid access. The rule requires two minutes of collection 
burden per issuance of prepaid access device or vehicle.
    Description of Recordkeepers: MSBs as defined in 31 CFR 
1010.100(ff)(4) and (7).
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: The rule increases the number of 
recordkeepers to 1400.
    Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours per Recordkeeper: The 
estimated average annual burden associated with the recordkeeping 
requirement in 31 CFR 1022.210(d) is two minutes per issuance of a 
prepaid access device or vehicle. At any given moment, there are

[[Page 45418]]

an estimated 7.5 million network branded prepaid cards in the 
marketplace. FinCEN estimates that the average lifespan of a prepaid 
card is three years. Therefore, FinCEN estimates that there are 2.5 
million new prepaid cards or other devices or vehicles issued each year 
that are covered by the rule.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: The burden will be 
83,300 hours. OMB Control Number: 1506-0020.

C. SAR Filing for Providers and Sellers of Prepaid Access

    Suspicious activity reports for money services businesses (31 CFR 
1022.320). OMB Control Number: 1506-0015.
    This information is required to be provided pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
5318(g) and 31 CFR 1022.320. This information will be used by law 
enforcement agencies in the enforcement of criminal and regulatory laws 
and to prevent money services businesses from engaging in illegal 
activities. The collection of information is mandatory. The rule will 
increase the number of recordkeepers by 1400.
    Description of Recordkeepers: MSBs as defined in 31 CFR 
1010.100(ff)(4) and (7).
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: Providers of prepaid access will 
be required to file SARs. The number of recordkeepers would be 
increased by 1400.
    Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours per Recordkeeper: The 
estimated average annual burden associated with the recordkeeping 
requirement in 31 CFR 1022.320 is 90 minutes per report.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: The rule should 
increase the estimated annual burden by 289,800 hours.

D. Registration of Providers of Prepaid Access

    Registration for money services businesses (31 CFR 1022.380). OMB 
Control Number: 1506-0013.
    This information is required to be provided pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
5330 and 31 CFR 1022.380. The information will be used by law 
enforcement and regulatory agencies in the enforcement of criminal, 
tax, and regulatory laws and to prevent money services businesses from 
engaging in illegal activities. The information will also be valuable 
to FinCEN, allowing analysts to more accurately quantify the universe 
of MSBs generally and the universe of providers of prepaid access 
specifically. The collection of information is mandatory. Providers of 
prepaid access need to register and list the prepaid programs subject 
to this final rule; the number of recordkeepers will be increased by 
700.
    Description of Recordkeepers: Providers of prepaid access as 
defined in 31 CFR 1010.100(ff)(4).
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: The number of recordkeepers 
would be increased by 700 MSBs.
    Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours per Recordkeeper: The 
estimated average annual burden associated with the recordkeeping 
requirement in 31 CFR 1022.380 is 30 minutes per recordkeeper for the 
completion, filing, and recordkeeping of registration forms, and an 
additional 120 minutes for the completion, filing, and recordkeeping of 
the list of prepaid programs subject to the regulation.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: We will increase the 
number of burden hours under this collection by 1,750 hours.

E. Recordkeeping and Retrieval Requirement

    Customer and Transactional Data Recordkeeping Requirements (31 CFR 
1010.410, 1010.430, 1022.420, and 1022.210). OMB Control Number: 1506-
0052.
    This information is required to be provided pursuant to Section 21 
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1829b), 31 U.S.C. 
5318(m), and 31 CFR 1010.410, 1010.430, 1022.420, and 1022.210. This 
information will be used by law enforcement agencies in criminal, tax, 
and regulatory investigations and proceedings. Prepaid providers will 
be required to retain information in a format that allows for its 
retrieval upon request. Both providers and sellers of prepaid access 
are responsible for the recordkeeping of customer and transactional 
data that is routinely captured and maintained in the ordinary course 
of business under the regulation. The number of recordkeepers will be 
increased by 1400.
    Description of Recordkeepers: MSBs as defined in 31 CFR 
1010.100(ff)(4) and (7).
    Estimated Number of Recordkeepers: The number of recordkeepers 
would be increased by 1400 MSBs.
    Estimated Average Annual Burden Hours per Recordkeeper: The 
estimated average annual burden associated with the recordkeeping 
requirement in 31 CFR 1010.410, 1010.430, 1022.420, and 1022.210 is 16 
hours per recordkeeper for the maintenance of customer and 
transactional data that routinely is captured and maintained in the 
ordinary course of business.
    Estimated Total Annual Recordkeeping Burden: We will increase the 
number of burden hours under this collection by 22,400 hours.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a valid OMB control number. Records required to be 
retained under the Bank Secrecy Act must be retained for five years.

VI. Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has been designated a ``significant regulatory 
action,'' although not economically significant, under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the rule has been reviewed by OMB.

VII. Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995 Statement

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``Unfunded 
Mandates Act''), Public Law 104-4 (March 22, 1995), requires that an 
agency prepare a budgetary impact statement before promulgating a rule 
that may result in expenditure by the state, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 100 million 
dollars or more in any one year. If a budgetary impact statement is 
required, section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Act also requires an 
agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory 
alternatives before promulgating a rule. Taking into account the 
factors noted above and using conservative estimates of average labor 
costs in evaluating the cost of the burden imposed by the rule, FinCEN 
has determined that it is not required to prepare a written statement 
under section 202.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Parts 1010 and 1022

    Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, Banking, Brokers, 
Currency, Foreign banking, Foreign currencies, Gambling, 
Investigations,

[[Page 45419]]

Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities, 
Terrorism.

Authority and Issuance

    For the reasons set forth above in the preamble, Chapter X of title 
31 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 1010--GENERAL PROVISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 1010 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1829b and 1951-1959; 31 U.S.C. 5311-5314 
and 5316-5332; Title III, sec. 314, Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 307; 
Title V, sec. 503, Pub. L. 111-24.


0
2. Amend Sec.  1010.100 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (ff) introductory text;
0
b. Revising paragraph (ff)(2)(ii)(A);
0
c. Revising paragraph (ff)(4);
0
d. Revising paragraph (ff)(5)(ii)(E);
0
e. Adding new paragraph (ff)(7);
0
f. Revising paragraph (ww); and
0
g. Adding new paragraph (kkk) to read as follows.


Sec.  1010.100  General definitions.

* * * * *
    (ff) Money services business. A person wherever located doing 
business, whether or not on a regular basis or as an organized or 
licensed business concern, wholly or in substantial part within the 
United States, in one or more of the capacities listed in paragraphs 
(ff)(1) through (ff)(7) of this section. This includes but is not 
limited to maintenance of any agent, agency, branch, or office within 
the United States.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) A person that sells prepaid access in exchange for a check (as 
defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), monetary instrument or other 
instrument;
* * * * *
    (4) Provider of prepaid access--(i) In general. A provider of 
prepaid access is the participant within a prepaid program that agrees 
to serve as the principal conduit for access to information from its 
fellow program participants. The participants in each prepaid access 
program must determine a single participant within the prepaid program 
to serve as the provider of prepaid access.
    (ii) Considerations for provider determination. In the absence of 
registration as the provider of prepaid access for a prepaid program by 
one of the participants in a prepaid access program, the provider of 
prepaid access is the person with principal oversight and control over 
the prepaid program. Which person exercises ``principal oversight and 
control'' is a matter of facts and circumstances. Activities that 
indicate ``principal oversight and control'' include:
    (A) Organizing the prepaid program;
    (B) Setting the terms and conditions of the prepaid program and 
determining that the terms have not been exceeded;
    (C) Determining the other businesses that will participate in the 
prepaid program, which may include the issuing bank, the payment 
processor, or the distributor;
    (D) Controlling or directing the appropriate party to initiate, 
freeze, or terminate prepaid access; and
    (E) Engaging in activity that demonstrates oversight and control of 
the prepaid program.
    (iii) Prepaid program. A prepaid program is an arrangement under 
which one or more persons acting together provide(s) prepaid access. 
However, an arrangement is not a prepaid program if:
    (A) It provides closed loop prepaid access to funds not to exceed 
$2,000 maximum value that can be associated with a prepaid access 
device or vehicle on any day;
    (B) It provides prepaid access solely to funds provided by a 
Federal, State, local, Territory and Insular Possession, or Tribal 
government agency;
    (C) It provides prepaid access solely to funds from pre-tax 
flexible spending arrangements for health care and dependent care 
expenses, or from Health Reimbursement Arrangements (as defined in 26 
U.S.C. 105(b) and 125) for health care expenses; or
    (D) (1) It provides prepaid access solely to:
    (i) Employment benefits, incentives, wages or salaries; or
    (ii) Funds not to exceed $1,000 maximum value and from which no 
more than $1,000 maximum value can be initially or subsequently loaded, 
used, or withdrawn on any day through a device or vehicle; and
    (2) It does not permit:
    (i) Funds or value to be transmitted internationally;
    (ii) Transfers between or among users of prepaid access within a 
prepaid program; or
    (iii) Loading additional funds or the value of funds from non-
depository sources.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (E) Provides prepaid access; or
* * * * *
    (7) Seller of prepaid access. Any person that receives funds or the 
value of funds in exchange for an initial loading or subsequent loading 
of prepaid access if that person:
    (i) Sells prepaid access offered under a prepaid program that can 
be used before verification of customer identification under Sec.  
1022.210(d)(1)(iv); or
    (ii) Sells prepaid access (including closed loop prepaid access) to 
funds that exceed $10,000 to any person during any one day, and has not 
implemented policies and procedures reasonably adapted to prevent such 
a sale.
* * * * *
    (ww) Prepaid access. Access to funds or the value of funds that 
have been paid in advance and can be retrieved or transferred at some 
point in the future through an electronic device or vehicle, such as a 
card, code, electronic serial number, mobile identification number, or 
personal identification number.
* * * * *
    (kkk) Closed loop prepaid access. Prepaid access to funds or the 
value of funds that can be used only for goods or services in 
transactions involving a defined merchant or location (or set of 
locations), such as a specific retailer or retail chain, a college 
campus, or a subway system.

PART 1022--RULES FOR MONEY SERVICES BUSINESSES

0
3. The authority citation for part 1022 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  12 U.S.C. 1829b and 1951-1959; 31 U.S.C. 5311-5314 
and 5316-5332; title III, sec. 314, Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 307.


0
4. Amend Sec.  1022.210 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (d)(1)(i); and
0
b. Adding new paragraph (d)(1)(iv) to read as follows.


Sec.  1022.210  Anti-money laundering programs for money services 
businesses.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Policies, procedures, and internal controls developed and 
implemented under this section shall include provisions for complying 
with the requirements of this chapter including, to the extent 
applicable to the money services business, requirements for:
    (A) Verifying customer identification, including as set forth in 
paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section;
    (B) Filing Reports;
    (C) Creating and retaining records;
    (D) Responding to law enforcement requests.
* * * * *

[[Page 45420]]

    (iv) A money services business that is a provider or seller of 
prepaid access must establish procedures to verify the identity of a 
person who obtains prepaid access under a prepaid program and obtain 
identifying information concerning such a person, including name, date 
of birth, address, and identification number. Sellers of prepaid access 
must also establish procedures to verify the identity of a person who 
obtains prepaid access to funds that exceed $10,000 during any one day 
and obtain identifying information concerning such a person, including 
name, date of birth, address, and identification number. Providers of 
prepaid access must retain access to such identifying information for 
five years after the last use of the prepaid access device or vehicle; 
such information obtained by sellers of prepaid access must be retained 
for five years from the date of the sale of the prepaid access device 
or vehicle.
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  1022.320 by:
0
a. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows; 
and
0
b. Removing paragraph (a)(5).


Sec.  1022.320  Reports by money services businesses of suspicious 
transactions.

    (a) General. (1) Every money services business described in Sec.  
1010.100(ff)(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) of this chapter, shall 
file with the Treasury Department, to the extent and in the manner 
required by this section, a report of any suspicious transaction 
relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation. * * *
* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  1022.380 by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1022.380  Registration of money services businesses.

    (a) Registration requirement--(1) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section, relating to agents, and except for 
sellers of prepaid access as defined in Sec.  1010.100(ff)(7) of this 
chapter to the extent that they are not already agents, each money 
services business (whether or not licensed as a money services business 
by any State) must register with FinCEN. Each provider of prepaid 
access must identify each prepaid program for which it is the provider 
of prepaid access. Each money services business must, as part of its 
registration, maintain a list of its agents as required by 31 U.S.C. 
5330 and this section. This section does not apply to the United States 
Postal Service, to agencies of the United States, of any State, or of 
any political subdivision of a State.
* * * * *

0
7. Add new Sec.  1022.420 to subpart D to read as follows:


Sec.  1022.420  Additional records to be maintained by providers and 
sellers of prepaid access.

    With respect to transactions relating to providers and sellers of 
prepaid access described in Sec.  1010.100(ff)(4) and (7) that are 
subject to the requirements of this chapter, each provider of prepaid 
access shall maintain access to transactional records for a period of 
five years. The provider of prepaid access, as defined in Sec.  
1010.100(ff)(4), shall maintain access to transactional records 
generated in the ordinary course of business that would be needed to 
reconstruct prepaid access activation, loads, reloads, purchases, 
withdrawals, transfers, or other prepaid-related transactions.

    Dated: July 22, 2011.
James H. Freis, Jr.,
Director, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
[FR Doc. 2011-19116 Filed 7-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-02-P