To All Depository Institutions, and Others Concerned, in the Second Federal Reserve District:
Due to a 48-hour general strike called by local labor unions in Puerto Rico on July 7-8, 1998 ("the emergency condition") and its effects on transportation systems, including access to the airports for loading and unloading cash item shipments, delays have occurred in the presentment of cash items, in the return of unpaid items, and in the forwarding of advices of nonpayment with respect to depository institutions in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In view of the emergency condition, effective immediately and until such time as conditions permit us to resume presenting and returning cash items, this Bank will defer credit for items drawn on, or cash items returned to, depository institutions having routing numbers with 0215, 0216, 2215, and 2216 prefixes.