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Fingerprinting for Criminal History Checks

Using fingerprinting for criminal history checks is a cost-effective, fast and reliable way to protect your organization. 

ABA National FBI Fingerprint Service

The American Bankers Association is proud to serve as an FBI- approved channeling agent for organizations submitting applicant fingerprints as part of their criminal history screening.

The advantage to using the ABA National FBI Fingerprint Service is simple - it's cost-effective, reliable and fast!  Your fingerprint submissions will be processed quickly and efficiently by a highly experienced fingerprint service provider.

Who's Eligible?

Your organization is qualified if it is a nongovernmental entity authorized by Federal statute or Federal executive order to receive criminal history record information (CHRI) for noncriminal justice purposes.  This would include such things as employment suitability, licensing determinations, national security clearance, and immigration and naturalization matters. Your organization is qualified if it is a government agency authorized by Federal statute, executive order, or state statute which has been approved by the US Attorney General to receive CHRI for noncriminal justice purposes.

Why choose the ABA National FBI Fingerprint Service?

The choice is simple:

Extensive:  ABA has direct access to the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), the largest biometric database in the world (over 50 million records), with information from more than 60,000 criminal justice agencies.

Reliable:  An individual can change his/her name, appearance, etc., to avert authorities, but the CHRI produced by IAFIS is a conclusive and highly reliable means of identification.

Fast:  The ABA submits all fingerprints to the FBI electronically.  In most cases the FBI returns the results within 24 hours.

Cost-effective:  The service is an inexpensive way to comply with federal requirements regarding criminal history checks.

Flexible:  The ABA accepts fingerprint cards as well as electronic submissions.  Our staff can help you with both.

Experienced:  The ABA has provided this service to financial institutions for more than 25 years and to Housing Authorities for over 10 years.  The ABA was recently approved to expand its services to any organization who meets the requirements to use fingerprinting.

Proactive:  Because of the ABA's relationship with the FBI, we'll notify you immediately of any changes to the fingerprinting processes or policies.

Smart:  The service is an excellent defense against internal fraud, and reduces potential expenses associated with hiring and training ineligible employees.

Pricing

Financial Institution Pricing:    Paper card submissions:  $32 per card

                                            Electronic Submissions:   $27 per fingerprint submission

Housing Authority Pricing:      Paper card submissions:  $34 per card

                                            Electronic Submissions:   $29 per fingerprint submission

If your organization is not in one of the above categories, please contact us by calling 1-800-BANKERS (226-5377) and ask for extension 5133.

Getting Started

Want to know more about electronic fingerprint submission (pdf)

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Update from the FBI (dated April 17, 2006):

Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Checks on Employees of Banking-Related Institutions or Entities

Public Law 92-544 (found in the notes to 28 United States Code §534) authorizes the FBI to exchange identification records "with officials of federally chartered or insured banking institutions to promote or maintain the security of those institutions."  The same broad language is used in the regulation governing such background checks at 28 Code of Federal Regulations § 50.12(a).  Pursuant to this authority, the banking industry for many years has conducted criminal history record information (CHRI) checks on employees of federally chartered or insured banking institutions.  Due to evolving business practices and methods of operation in the banking industry, the FBI has received requests from the industry for clarification of the authority to conduct CHRI checks on employees of other entities, such as bank subsidiaries, holding companies, and contractors that have a direct relationship with a banking institution affecting the security of the institution.  The FBI takes this opportunity to clarify that employees of bank subsidiaries, holding companies, and contractors who are intimately involved in the management or operations of a banking institution, or who otherwise have access to a bank's restricted areas, infrastructure, or assets, may be subject to CHRI checks.  Questions about particular checks in connection with bank security may be directed to Ms. M. McIntyre Sundin in the FBI's Access Integrity Unit at (304) 625-3510.

 

Questions? Please contact Tom Judd (202) 663-5133 or call 1-800-BANKERS (226-5377) for more information.

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