(a) Authority to grant or deny requests. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Office shall be responsible for search, review, and the initial determination.

(b) Referrals to other government agencies. A requested record in Ex-Im Bank's possession that was created or classified by another Federal agency shall be referred to such agency for direct response to the requester. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Office shall notify the requester of any such referral, the number of documents so referred, and the name and address of each agency to which the request has been referred.

(c) Notification of Ex-Im Bank action. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Office shall notify the requester in writing of its decision to grant or deny the request.

(1) If the decision is made to grant a request, then Ex-Im Bank shall promptly disclose the requested records and shall inform the requester of any fee payable under §404.9.

(2) A denial is a determination to withhold any requested record in whole or in part, a determination that a requested record does not exist or cannot be located or a determination that what has been requested is not a record subject to the FOIA. Whenever Ex-Im Bank withholds information, such notice shall include:

(i) The name, title, and signature of the person responsible for the determination;

(ii) The statutory basis for non-disclosure; and

(iii) A statement that any denial may be appealed under §404.11 and a brief description of the requirements of that section.

(d) Material withheld. Ex-Im Bank shall make reasonable efforts to inform the requester of the volume of material withheld pursuant to a full or partial denial and the extent of any redaction. Ex-Im Bank shall not, however, indicate the extent of any denial when doing so could harm an interest protected by an applicable exemption.