By April 1, 2027, banks must show the FDIC official digital sign clearly, continuously and conspicuously on three screens of their website and apps: the homepage, the login page, and the page where a customer starts opening a deposit account. Credit unions, meanwhile, should keep "Federally insured by NCUA" in their ads: the NCUA has proposed dropping that statement, but it isn't final.
Both rules land on marketing teams, and both are easy to break when agencies, branches and now AI build pages quickly.
What does the FDIC digital sign rule require?
The FDIC's amended rule on official signs and advertising (12 CFR part 328) took effect March 2, 2026, with compliance required by April 1, 2027, after several delays to the compliance date.
| Requirement | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Where the sign goes | On a bank's digital deposit-taking channels, such as its website and web or mobile apps, on (1) the initial page or homepage, (2) the login page, and (3) the page or screen where a consumer first initiates opening a deposit account |
| How it's displayed | Clearly, continuously and conspicuously |
| Design | "FDIC" in bold, navy blue or black, with the line stating that deposits are FDIC-insured and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government in smaller italic type, all in Source Sans Pro Web or a similar font. White is allowed on dark backgrounds, and wrapping is allowed for space |
| Non-deposit products | Digital channels that advertise or give access to non-deposit products must show signage that they are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits, and may lose value, on the pages primarily dedicated to them |
| ATMs | The sign goes on the ATM's initial screen, with limited exceptions for certain machines |
Where do marketing teams get caught?
The three required screens sound simple. Problems show up at the edges:
- Redesigns and new apps that drop the sign from the homepage or login screen.
- Account-opening flows built by a vendor where the sign never made it onto the first screen.
- Investment or insurance pages that sit next to deposit products without the non-deposit signage.
- Campaign pages and microsites built by an agency or an AI tool. Check with compliance whether they're part of your digital deposit-taking channel, especially if they link straight into account opening.
What about the NCUA advertising statement?
Today, 12 CFR 740.5 still requires federally insured credit unions to include the official advertising statement in their advertisements, including on their main internet page. Accepted forms include "This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration," "Federally insured by NCUA," "Insured by NCUA," or a reproduction of the official sign. There are exemptions, such as short radio and TV ads, promotional items, and ads that don't relate to member accounts.
In December 2025, the NCUA proposed eliminating the official advertising statement, with comments due February 27, 2026. Two things the proposal doesn't change: the official sign requirements in § 740.4, which cover offices and the website where members open accounts and deposit funds, and the rule in § 740.2 that advertising must be accurate. As of the NCUA board's June 2026 regulatory update, the change was still listed among its proposals, and we found no final rule as of October 2026.
The practical rule: keep the statement until a final rule takes effect.
How does this connect to the rest of your ad compliance?
The sign rules sit on top of the advertising rules you already follow. Regulation DD (credit unions follow the NCUA's version) still bars misleading or inaccurate deposit ads, limits "free" claims, and requires rates of return to be stated as APY. We cover the approval workflow in who approves AI-generated marketing, and agency access in brand access for agencies and branches.
How does brand governance help?
Approved elements are easier to keep consistent when they live in one place. In linkable.id, approved disclosures and legal text are stored once in the Brand Vault and reused as-is, and each page shows who changed what and when. Whether a campaign page needs the FDIC sign is a call for your compliance team. When a campaign ends, dynamic QR codes let you point printed material somewhere current without reprinting.
An honest caveat: this is a summary, not legal advice. The FDIC rule has detailed provisions and exceptions, and the NCUA rule may change soon. Have compliance confirm how both apply to your channels.
Are your homepage, login and account-opening screens ready for April 2027?
If nobody has checked every app and vendor-built flow, now's the time. See how linkable.id works and let's review your digital channels together.
Sources
- FDIC, Official Sign and Advertising Requirements, final rule, 91 FR (January 29, 2026): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-29/pdf/2026-01806.pdf
- 12 CFR 740.5, Requirements for the official advertising statement (Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/740.5
- NCUA, Accuracy of Advertising and Notice of Insured Status, proposed rule, 90 FR (December 29, 2025): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23854.pdf
- NCUA, Regulatory update board briefing (June 24, 2026): https://ncua.gov/files/agenda-items/regulatory-update-board-briefing-20260624.pdf
- CFPB, 12 CFR 1030.8, Advertising (Regulation DD): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1030/8/