Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation publishes Ombudsman annual report outlining confidential support on supervisory concerns for FDIC supervised institutions

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has published the Office of the Ombudsman’s 2025 annual report, describing how the office helps FDIC supervised financial institutions resolve concerns about FDIC activities. The report does not set new requirements. Instead, it explains that the ombudsman serves as an independent, impartial and confidential channel outside the supervisory chain for institutions raising issues on examinations, supervisory findings, application processes and other FDIC matters, with an emphasis on engaging before supervisory decisions are finalized. For 2025, the report highlights the office’s work facilitating communication between bankers and the FDIC, discussing options for addressing supervisory findings or conclusions, and administering the post examination survey for risk management and compliance examinations. The survey process is intended to preserve confidentiality, improve response rates and identify examination and supervisory process improvements. The report says 54 percent of examined banks responded to the survey and regional ombudsmen handled 38 follow up requests. The office also served as the FDIC’s Freedom of Information Act Public Liaison, receiving 46 assistance requests and providing status updates, support to reduce delays and feedback on process improvements.