Fedwire® Extension Guidelines

Under certain conditions, depository institutions may request a 15 or 30-minute extension to the Fedwire Funds Service and/or Fedwire Securities Service operating hours. An extension may be granted only if:

  • There is a failure of Reserve Bank and/or Fedwire network equipment; or
  • There is a significant operating problem at a bank or major dealer and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or its designee) determines the extension is deemed necessary to prevent a significant market disruption.

In order for an extension to be granted, requests must:

  • Be timely
    • 15 minutes prior to the close of the Fedwire Funds Service
    • 20 minutes prior to the close of the Fedwire Securities Service
  • Meet certain dollar thresholds
    • The dollar value of delayed transfers must exceed $1 billion

Operational changes as a result of a Fedwire Funds Extension:

  • During a Funds extension, the Fedwire Securities Service repositioning window will be shortened from 30 minutes to 15 minutes after the close of the Fedwire Funds Service.

Depository Institution Responsibilities

  • Inform your designated Fedwire Services Operations Site in Boston at (800) 327-0147 or Kansas City at (800) 333-2448 as soon as a problem arises.
  • Be prepared to use back-up procedures to avoid the need for an extension.
  • If a problem is likely to result in an extension request, inform the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at (866) 895-5985 as soon as possible to explain the problem in detail, the expected time needed to resolve it, and the dollar amount and number of transactions that need to be sent.
  • Request extensions in a timely manner.

Federal Reserve Banks' Responsibilities

  • Grant extensions to maintain an orderly market close.
  • Strive to maintain a two-hour window between the close of the Fedwire Funds Service on one cycle date and the opening of the Fedwire Funds Service for the next cycle date. However, the Reserve Banks may decide to open or close the Fedwire Funds Service at an earlier or later time to facilitate special market needs.
  • Communicate information related to extensions to customers.
    • Post the opening time, closing time, extensions, and operational status of the Fedwire Funds Service and the Fedwire Securities Service for the current cycle date in the Fedwire Status area of the this website.
    • Send a broadcast message providing notification of the extensions to the closing times of the Fedwire Funds Service and/or the Fedwire Securities Service; the final closing time of the service that was extended; and the opening time of the service if it will be delayed for the following cycle date.

For more information about the Fedwire Funds Service or the Fedwire Securities Service, visit the service offerings pages or contact your account executive.

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