OCC: Agency Advances Priority of Reducing Regulatory Burden for Community Banks
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) continues to prioritize supervisory and regulatory reforms to reduce burden for community banks and support their role as drivers of economic growth. Most community banks are well capitalized and well managed, conduct business in a safe and sound manner, and engage in low-risk activities. The OCC…
OCC: Two Final Rules on Preemption of State Interest-on-Escrow Laws Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today issued two final rules on national banks’ and federal savings associations’ real estate lending powers related to the payment of interest on funds held in escrow accounts. The OCC’s actions emphasize federal preemption as a critical tool for reducing unnecessary burden, enabling local and national…
OCC: Semiannual Risk Perspective Highlights Key Risks in Federal Banking System
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today reported the key issues facing the federal banking system in the Semiannual Risk Perspective for Spring 2026. Bank earnings improved in 2025, supported by loan growth and a decline in funding costs. Balance sheets remain strong and credit risk within the federal banking system remains manageable. Earnings…
Agencies Issue Host State Loan-to-Deposit Ratios
Federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly issued updated host state loan-to-deposit ratios, as required by law. Each ratio compares the total loans in a state to total deposits in the state for all banks that are legally operating in that state. These ratios replace those issued in May 2025. By law, a bank is generally prohibited…
ABA: ABA & State Bankers Associations Urge OCC to Close Yield Loopholes in Stablecoin Rule
The American Bankers Association, joined by 52 state bankers associations, today submitted a comment letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency urging the agency to strengthen its proposed rule implementing the GENIUS Act to ensure a meaningful and enforceable prohibition on interest and yield payments tied to stablecoins. Separately, ABA also submitted its own detailed comment…
OCC: Two Interim Final Actions Issued Clarifying Bank Powers under Federal Law and the Preemption of a Related State Law
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced an interim final rule and interim final order related to activities of national banks and Federal savings associations. The interim final rule clarifies the longstanding powers under Federal law for national banks to charge certain fees, regardless of whether those fees are set by…
Agencies Issue Final Rule to Prohibit Use of Reputation Risk by Regulators
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the agencies) today jointly issued a final rule that codifies the elimination of reputation risk from their supervisory programs. The rule defines “reputation risk” and prohibits the agencies from criticizing or taking adverse action against an institution on the basis of…
ICBA: ICBA Opposes OCC Approval of Coinbase’s National Trust Bank Charter Application
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s conditional approval opens in a new tabof Coinbase’s application for a national trust bank charter for its subsidiary, Coinbase National Trust Co. “Today’s conditional approval of Coinbase’s trust charter application is a grave mistake that will only serve…
OCC: Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization and Structure Announced
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced the promotions of Jason Almonte and Sebastian Astrada to Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization & Structure (CO&S). In their new roles, Mr. Almonte and Mr. Astrada will set policies and provide executive direction on federal bank applications, chartering, and corporate activities, policies, processes, and…