The FDIC is lowering the rates on assessments paid to the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), and widening the spread of the rates, in order to avoid collecting more than needed to maintain the SAIF's capitalization at 1.25 percent of aggregate insured deposits, and to improve the effectiveness of the risk-based assessment system. The final rule establishes a base assessment schedule for the SAIF with rates ranging from 4 to 31 basis points, and an adjusted assessment schedule that reduces these rates by 4 basis points. In general, effective SAIF rates range from 0 to 27 basis points as of October 1, 1996. The final rule also prescribes a special interim schedule of rates ranging from 18 to 27 basis points for SAIF-member savings associations for just the last quarter of 1996, reflecting the fact that assessments paid to the Financing Corporation (FICO) are included in the SAIF rates for these institutions during that interval. Excess assessments collected under the prior assessment schedule will be refunded or credited, with interest. The final rule establishes a procedure for making limited adjustments to the base assessment rates, both for the SAIF and for the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF), by rulemaking without notice and comment. The final rule clarifies and corrects certain provisions without making substantive changes.