FFIEC: Agencies Release List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies
Federal bank regulatory agencies today released the 2026 list of certain geographies where certain bank activities are eligible for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit. Under the CRA, the agencies assess a bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. The list…
OCC: Mortgage Performance Report for First Quarter 2026 Released
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported on the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system during the first quarter of 2026. The OCC Mortgage Metrics Report, First Quarter 2026 showed that 97.7 percent of mortgages included in the report were current and performing at the end of the quarter, a slight…
OCC: Agency Clarifies Filing Decision Process
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today clarified the standards for its decisions on filings. OCC filing decisions are governed by 12 CFR 5.13. As stated in the regulation, the OCC may approve, conditionally approve or deny a filing. In addition, the OCC may return a filing as materially deficient where it…
OCC: Comptroller Gould Testifies on Agency Activities
Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould today testified on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) priorities and activities before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services. Excerpts from Comptroller Gould’s testimony are below. The full written testimony can be found here. On risk tolerance: “After the 2008 financial crisis, Washington too often sought…
Agencies Remove Additional References to Reputation Risk
The federal bank regulatory agencies today jointly updated certain interagency documents to remove references to reputation risk. The agencies are taking this action to complement their earlier actions that ended the use of reputation risk in supervision. As the agencies have previously noted, reputation risk can be misused by supervisors as a basis to encourage…
OCC: Senior Deputy Comptroller for Regional and Midsize Financial Institutions Announced
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced Benjamin Eddy will serve as the Senior Deputy Comptroller for Regional and Midsize Financial Institutions, effective June 1. In this role, Mr. Eddy oversees the supervision of national banks and federal savings associations between $30 billion and $500 billion in assets. He also serves…
ABA: Co-Plaintiffs Commend OCC Interim Final Actions Affirming Federal Preemption in New Comment Letters
In new comment letters filed today, the Illinois Bankers Association, Illinois Credit Union League, American Bankers Association and America’s Credit Unions expressed strong support for both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s interim final rule on national bank non-interest charges and fees and the OCC’s interim final order preempting the Illinois Interchange Fee…
OCC: Third Quarter 2026 CRA Evaluation Schedule Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluations to be conducted in the third quarter of 2026. While the OCC has previously released its schedule of CRA evaluations for two quarters in advance, updates to CRA evaluation scheduling for community banks and the implementation…
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…