US Code

Public Law 119-88 (05/04/2026)

12 U.S.C. § 1831k

Reward for information leading to recoveries or civil penalties

(a)

In general

An appropriate Federal banking agency, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, may pay a reward to a person who provides original information which leads to—
(1)
recovery of a criminal fine, restitution, or civil penalty—
(A)
under—
(i)
this chapter;
(ii)
12 U.S.C. 1751 the Federal Credit Union Act [ et seq.];
(iii)
section 93(b), 164, or 481 to 485 of this title;
(iv)
12 U.S.C. 221 the Federal Reserve Act [ et seq.];
(v)
the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970;
(vi)
12 U.S.C. 1841 the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 [ et seq.];
(vii)
12 U.S.C. 1461 the Home Owners’ Loan Act [ et seq.]; or
(viii)
section 3663 of title 18 pursuant to a conviction for an offense referred to in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph,
(B)
pursuant to a conviction for an offense under section 215, 656, 657, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1014, 1341, 1343, or 1344 of title 18 affecting a depository institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or for a conspiracy to commit such an offense; or
(C)
section 1833a of this title under ; or
(2)
a forfeiture under section 981 or 982 of title 18 that arises in connection with a depository institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(b)

Percentage limitation

An appropriate Federal banking agency may not pay a reward under subsection (a) of more than 25 percent of the amount of the fine, penalty, restitution, or forfeiture or $100,000, whichever is less.

(c)

Officials and persons ineligible

An appropriate Federal banking agency may not pay a reward under subsection (a) to—
(1)
an officer or employee of the United States or of a State or local government who provides information described in subsection (a), obtained in the performance of official duties; or
(2)
a person who—
(A)
deliberately causes or participates in the alleged violation of law or regulation, or
(B)
knowingly or recklessly provides substantially false information to such an agency or the Attorney General.
(d)

Nonreviewability

Any agency decision under this section is final and not reviewable by any court.

Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, § 2 Pub. L. 101–73, title IX, § 933(a)103 Stat. 495 Pub. L. 101–647, title XXV, § 2586104 Stat. 4903 Pub. L. 103–325, title VI, § 602(a)(62)108 Stat. 2291 ([34], as added , , ; amended , , ; , (63), , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act June 26, 1934, ch. 750 48 Stat. 1216 section 1751 of this titleThe Federal Credit Union Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(ii), is , , which is classified generally to chapter 14 (§ 1751 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

act Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6 38 Stat. 251 section 226 of this titleThe Federal Reserve Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iv), is , , which is classified principally to chapter 3 (§ 221 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see References in Text note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 91–60784 Stat. 1760 section 1841 of this titleThe Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(v), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1970 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

act May 9, 1956, ch. 240 70 Stat. 133 section 1841 of this titleThe Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(vi), is , , which is classified principally to chapter 17 (§ 1841 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

act June 13, 1933, ch. 64 48 Stat. 128 section 1461 of this titleThe Home Owners’ Loan Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A)(vii), is , , which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§ 1461 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–325, § 602(a)(62)1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(iii). , substituted “section” for “sections” and “or” for “and”.

Pub. L. 103–325, § 602(a)(63)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted period at end.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 2586(1)1990—Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “, in an amount that exceeds $50,000,” after “recovery” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 101–647, § 2586(2)Subsec. (a)(2). , amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “a forfeiture under section 981 or 982 of title 18 that—

“(A) arises in connection with a depository institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and

“(B) exceeds $50,000.”