Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Renewal; Comment Request (3064-0198)

AGENCY:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

ACTION:

Notice and request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The FDIC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the renewal of the existing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Currently, the FDIC is soliciting comment on renewal of the information collection described below.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before October 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to the FDIC by any of the following methods:

• http://www.FDIC.gov/regulations/laws/federal/notices.html.
• Email: comments@fdic.gov. Include the name and number of the collection in the subject line of the message.
• Mail: Jennifer Jones (202-898-6768), Counsel, MB-3105, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20429.
• Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand-delivered to the guard station at the rear of the 17th Street Building (located on F Street), on business days between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All comments should refer to the relevant OMB control number. A copy of the comments may also be submitted to the OMB desk officer for the FDIC: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jennifer Jones, at the FDIC address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposal to renew the following currently approved collections of information:

1. Title: Information Collection for Qualitative Research.

OMB Number: 3064-0198.

Form Number: None.

Affected Public: Consumers and financial services providers.

Burden Estimate:

General Description of Collection: The FDIC plans to collect information from consumers and financial services providers through qualitative research methods such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, and/or qualitative virtual methods. The information collected will be used to deepen the FDIC's understanding of the knowledge, experiences, behaviors, capabilities, and preferences of consumers of financial services. These qualitative research methods will also contribute to the FDIC's understanding of how consumers, including those who are financially underserved, use a range of different types of bank and non-bank financial services. Interviews of financial services providers are intended to provide greater insight into the providers' perceptions of the opportunities and challenges of providing an array of financial services and products. These qualitative methods will also provide an opportunity to test and improve other survey efforts conducted by the FDIC. The FDIC does not intend to use qualitative research to measure or quantify results.

Participation in this information collection will be voluntary and conducted in-person, by phone, or using other methods, such as virtual technology. The FDIC plans to retain an experienced contractor(s) to recommend the most appropriate collection method based on the objectives of each qualitative research effort. The FDIC will consult with OMB regarding each specific information collection during the approval period.

Request for Comment

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the FDIC's functions, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimates of the burden of the information collections, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments will become a matter of public record.