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• Designate a central point of contact to coordinate examination matters and deliver requested information – the “Examination Manager.”

• The examination manager is the chief liaison with the Examiner in Charge (“EIC”) and the examination team, and will resolve any examination issues while examiners are on-site.

• Designate a management official who can provide an overview of the bank’s operations and can direct operational units under exam review.

• Make sure that the examiners’ requests are promptly met.

• Is the deliverable in the proper format?  Don’t keep them waiting!

• Does it convey your message – the right message?

• Have a plan for responding to requests for privileged material.

• Consult outside regulatory counsel.

• Clearly document minutes of exit meetings and forward to Regulatory Counsel

•  Know the rules: Be familiar with the examination policies and informal guidelines of the regulators.  Research examination handbooks prior to on-site examinations to know what they are going to look at.

• Involve counsel immediately: Comments in exit meeting or supervisory correspondence. Protection of privilege and document control.

• Review comparable enforcement actions: What remedies have the regulators sought in the past? Consider corrective action.

• Do not overreact: Sometimes more regulators/enforcement counsel are brought than are necessary – Shock and Awe!

• Know the players: Learn the relative authority and roles of the supervisory staff. Partner with local examiners to avoid escalation.

• The examiners do not just “go away” – remember their unique role.

Good luck!!!!!!

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