STATEWIDE CATASTROPHIC DISASTER POLICY

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

The mission of the ASBD is to provide support for Arkansas state-chartered banks and the general public in the event of a catastrophic emergency.  The Bank Department will strive to proactively furnish disaster relief information.  ASBD Statewide Catastrophic Disaster Committee members will be available to provide assistance to bankers. 

 

The Bank Department believes that the banking system serves an important role in recovering from a major disaster.  It is recognized that the first phase of a recovery effort will focus on saving lives and other urgent tasks.  However, citizens in the affected area are expected to have three basic needs shortly afterwards - food, water and gas.  It is anticipated that cash will be necessary to buy these goods.  Other payment options such as credit and debit cards are unlikely to be functional.  ATM machines will probably be inoperable.  Banks are thus faced with major cash demands in a difficult communications and security environment. 

 

This policy is designed to facilitate communication between our office, state-chartered banks, other relevant agencies and the public.  These procedures are intended to assist banks with communication efforts, cash needs and other issues.  The ASBD plan will seek to build upon rather than interfere with mandatory and comprehensive internal disaster policies already existing in the industry. 

 

It is noted that the term “Statewide Catastrophic Disaster Policy” is intended to denote a major, widespread calamity of the utmost severity.  This type of event is distinguished from meaningful, but more traditional emergency situations from which banks can recover in the ordinary course of business.  In a catastrophic situation, all personnel should be prepared to “Expect the Unexpected”.  This policy is designed to be a “Living Plan” and will be modified as needed. 

 

ASBD PROCEDURES

 

(Pre-Disaster)

 

The Bank Department will maintain Emergency Contact Information for a designated officer at each state-chartered bank.  This information will be organized by geographical peer groups.  The Bank Emergency Contact list will be updated annually.

 

The Bank Department will maintain an Agency Contact list for other regulatory agencies, emergency relief organizations, and law enforcement personnel.  This list will be updated annually. 

 

The Bank Department will establish an internal notification system for ASBD employees.  This system will serve to provide a status assessment for the Bank Department Executive Committee, Statewide Catastrophic Disaster Committee, Security Committee and other staff members.  The notification system will be updated annually. 

 

(Post-Disaster)

 

The Commissioner will implement this program by declaring a “Catastrophic Disaster” at her discretion. 

 

The Committee will attempt to contact every state-chartered bank in an affected area to determine the scope of damage and which institutions are open to the public. 

 

The Committee and other ASBD employees will provide assurance to citizens that the banking system remains secure and that operations will resume. 

 

The Committee will establish Call Centers in the ASBD Board Room and ASBD Training Room if needed. 

 

The ASBD website will contain information on the status of banks in the affected disaster area. 

 

The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners will handle media interviews. 

 

A list of anticipated problems and proposed mitigating processes will be maintained. 

 

ASBD Statewide Disaster Committee Personnel

 

Regular Contact Information

Chairman & ADEM Liaison

John Ashby

501-683-3230

 

Emergency Contact Information

 

Name	Call Center #1	Call Center #2	Office	Cell
John Ashby	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3230	501-690-5476
Susannah Marshall	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3224	501-690-1403
Gail Green	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3214	501-786-7660
Michael Green	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3268	501-847-1556
Robert Hughes	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3238	501-940-8936
Cara Lank	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3260	501-940-8479
Wilks Marshall	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3250	501-690-3298
Kevin Mosley	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3267	501-551-3859
Cynthia Nixon	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3201	501-681-3793
Brent Taylor	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3211	501-529-7245
Neal Elliott	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	479-751-5543	479-366-5663
John Householder	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	870-972-1744	501-529-6544
Gary Bush	501-683-3244	501-683-3269	501-683-3258	501-529-6540