FinCEN Reminder: E-Filing Reports by July 1, 2012

REMINDER – In a notice dated February 24, 2012, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a requirement that all financial institutions subject to FinCEN (BSA) reporting use electronic filing (E-Filing) for certain FinCEN reports beginning no later than July 1, 2012.
 
E-Filing, which is provided free of charge, offers streamlined FinCEN information submission; faster routing of information to law enforcement; greater data security and privacy compared with paper forms; long-term cost savings to institutions, individuals, and the government; and ensures compatibility with future versions of FinCEN reports. Effective July 1, 2012, institutions must submit FinCEN reports electronically unless they are eligible to request a temporary exemption as identified in the final rule.
For more information about the benefits of using FinCEN E-Filing, please review the E-Filing Section on FinCEN's Web site. FinCEN is committed to working with financial institutions to increase their understanding of the value of E-Filing and has issued a brochure that highlights its benefits. For other technology-related questions specific to E-Filing, please call the FinCEN E-Filing Help desk at 1-866-346-9478.