FDIC Federal Register Citations

Keystone Bank
7151 Natural Bridge
P.O. Box 211229
St. Louis, Missouri 63121-9229

Via e-Mail to comments @fdic.gov with this letter as an Attachment

Mr. Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary
Attention: Comments/Executive Secretary Section
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429

Re: FIL-8-2004, January 15, 2004

Dear Mr. Feldman:

We respectfully suggest that the idea set forth re alternative types of privacy notices would not be in the best interests of either the banking industry or consumers.

With the substantial quantity of regulatory disclosures which are provided to consumers, we find that they are generally ignored. I believe the public assumes such disclosures are quite similar. Length must clearly be a deterrent, but length is responsive to the regulatory requirements. Allowing a short form of notice which provides for the availability of a detailed long form does not seem appropriate; the only improvement to this situation would seem to us the simplification of the regulation. The problem with that, however, would mean the consumer would be relying more on the integrity and ethical philosophy of the bank with which they are dealing, sadly an unrealistic thought in society today.

Sincerely yours,

Robert L. Levin
President