New York, NY, January 23, 2014 – SIFMA today issued the following statement from Randy Snook, executive vice president, business policies and practices, in response to the Summary of Key Findings of the 2013 Pandemic Accord tabletop exercise that was held November 18-21, 2013, and sponsored by FEMA Region II, DHHS Region II, Federal Executive Board New York City, Federal Executive Board Northern New Jersey, Clearing House Association and SIFMA:

“Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is essential for ensuring a resilient financial sector that can effectively respond to any disaster or significant emergency situation. A pandemic scenario, such as a widespread influenza outbreak, is one of the most serious threats to the financial industry as it would impact the industry’s most important resource – the employees that keep the financial system running smoothly. The Pandemic Tabletop exercise is an important component of resiliency planning as it enables industry and government participants to collaboratively examine how they would respond to a widespread influenza outbreak and identify best practices that will enhance pandemic response planning across the sector. Further, the findings identified by this tabletop will support the development of a full-scale pandemic exercise to take place in late 2014.

“SIFMA is committed to helping the industry with all facets of BCP.  Continued dialogue between public and private representatives is essential to ensuring the financial sector is prepared to face any threat. More information on SIFMA’s BCP efforts is available here.”

Read the Pandemic Accord 2013: Continuity of Operations Pandemic Tabletop Exercise – Summary of Findings (pdf).

More information on the Pandemic Accord and the Summary of Key Findings is available here.

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 The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) brings together the shared interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers. SIFMA’s mission is to support a strong financial industry, investor opportunity, capital formation, job creation and economic growth, while building trust and confidence in the financial markets. SIFMA, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is the U.S. regional member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA). For more information, visit http://www.sifma.org.