When a certificate of deposit (CD) holder dies, are we required to charge an early withdrawal penalty? What if the holder withdraws money for a medical emergency? Should we be documenting every instance of a waived penalty?

You may waive the early withdrawal penalty required by Regulation D when a CD owner dies or is declared legally incompetent, but you may not waive the required early withdrawal penalty for withdrawals related to a medical emergency. Of course, early withdrawal penalties are required only for withdrawals within the first six days after the account opening. After that, any penalties and waivers are determined by your account agreements and bank policies. While you may waive penalties and fees provided in your agreements and policies on a case by case basis, it would be prudent to document the reasons for such waivers (assuming the waivers comply with the Regulation D requirements referenced above).

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