As people in the path of Hurricane Katrina attempt to put their lives back together in the aftermath of the storm, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has asked banks it regulates to do what they can to assist in the process.

"There are many things consumers and business owners can do now and in the coming weeks to help put their financial houses back in order in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina," said FDIC Chairman Donald Powell. "The FDIC is doing what we can to try to keep this natural disaster from turning into a financial disaster for all the people harmed by Katrina."

The FDIC is working with other bank regulators to take steps to assure continuity of banking services. The FDIC will continue to work with federal and state counterparts, the banking industry and affected banks, identifying customer needs and monitoring institutions' restoration of services.

To date, the FDIC has issued a letter to bankers encouraging them to work with borrowers in the areas hit hard by the storm. In turn, consumers and business owners experiencing difficulties beyond their control should feel free to actively reach out and work with their financial institutions. For example, customers can ask their banks to:

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 8,868 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars – insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).