Electronic Fund Transfers — 1997-08-14 [97-21584]

The Board is publishing amendments to Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers). The revisions implement an amendment to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), contained in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, that exempts certain electronic benefit transfer (EBT) programs from the EFTA. Generally, EBT programs involve the issuance of access cards and personal identification numbers to recipients of government benefits so that they can obtain their benefits through automated teller machines and point-of-sale terminals. The Board's amendments to Regulation E exempt needs-tested EBT programs that are established or administered by state or local government agencies. Federally administered EBT programs and state and local employment-related EBT programs (such as state pension programs) remain covered by Regulation E subject to modified requirements.