Feds Ask Banks to Help Simplify Their Own Tedious Call Reports
Published Date: 12/1/2025
Notice
Summary
Banks and financial institutions that fill out the Call Report are invited to help make it simpler and less time-consuming. The government agencies want ideas on cutting down paperwork while keeping important info intact. Comments are due by January 30, 2026, aiming to save time and possibly reduce costs for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Call Report Burden Could Be Reduced
The agencies are asking for ideas to simplify the quarterly Call Report so banks and savings associations spend less time preparing it. Comments are due January 30, 2026, and the agencies say streamlining could reduce paperwork, save staff time, and possibly lower costs for institutions that file the Call Report.
Short-Form (FFIEC 051) May Be Expanded
The agencies are considering expanding availability of the short form Call Report (FFIEC 051) beyond institutions with less than $5 billion in total assets and are asking for comments on whether larger institutions should use the short form in the first and third quarters. The current threshold mentioned in the notice is $5 billion in total consolidated assets.
Eligibility Could Be Tied to Capital or Risk
The agencies asked whether eligibility for reduced reporting should be related to an institution's capital position or its ability to meet risk-based criteria. They seek views on quantitative criteria that indicate a community banking model and on how to ensure safety and soundness while revising eligibility.
Reporting Frequency and Item Aggregation Under Review
The agencies requested comments on whether certain Call Report data items or schedules could be collected less frequently or at a more aggregated level, and asked which items could be reduced without impeding uses of the data. They also asked whether some items should be collected more frequently or more granularly.
Automation and Tech Changes Could Ease Reporting
The agencies seek information on institutions' use of reporting technologies, whether software exists to automate Call Report preparation, and what hurdles prevent automation. They asked whether technology changes to submission processes could reduce burden and whether impacts differ for small versus large respondents.
Due Dates May Be Adjusted to Reduce Burden
The agencies asked whether changing Call Report due dates (for example, to avoid weekends or holidays) would reduce respondent burden. This question follows comments submitted during the EGRPRA review suggesting date adjustments.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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