Agencies Announce Intent to Rescind 2023 CRA Final Rule
The federal bank regulatory agencies today announced, in light of pending litigation, their intent to issue a proposal to both rescind the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) final rule issued in October 2023 and reinstate the CRA framework that existed prior to the October 2023 final rule. The agencies will continue to work together to promote…
OCC: Acting Comptroller Encourages Innovation to Foster Financial Inclusion
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood today discussed financial inclusion in remarks at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Just Economy Conference 2025. In his remarks, Mr. Hood encouraged innovative thinking to foster greater financial inclusion in economically disadvantaged communities for both consumers and small businesses, particularly using financial technology tools. He highlighted the…
OCC: Acting Comptroller Discusses Financial Inclusion
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood today discussed financial inclusion in remarks at the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference. Mr. Hood’s written remarks in support of his presentation discussed the work of the OCC’s Project REACh to support affordable homeownership. Related Links
OCC: Mortgage Performance for Fourth Quarter of 2024 Reported
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported on the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system during the fourth quarter of 2024. The OCC Mortgage Metrics Report, Fourth Quarter 2024 showed that 97.3 percent of mortgages included in the report were current and performing at the end of the quarter, an increase…
OCC: Agency Ceases Examinations for Reputation Risk
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced that it will no longer examine its regulated institutions for reputation risk and is removing references to reputation risk from its Comptroller’s Handbook booklets and guidance issuances. Today’s actions support the OCC’s mission and its supervisory objectives to ensure that banks have appropriate and…
OCC: Fintech Business Model for a National Bank Conditionally Approved
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced conditional approval of the application for financial technology (fintech) company SmartBiz Loans to change the business model of CenTrust Bank, N.A., Northbrook, Illinois, upon its acquisition of CenTrust Bank, N.A. Upon acquisition, CenTrust Bank, N.A. was renamed SmartBiz Bank, N.A. CenTrust further applied to…
OCC: Agency to Host Virtual Innovation Office Hours in May
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced virtual Office Hours with its Office of Financial Technology on May 6-8, 2025, to promote responsible innovation in the federal banking system. Office Hours are an opportunity for banks and financial technology (fintech) companies to engage with OCC staff on matters related to bank-fintech…
Agencies Issue 2024 Shared National Credit Program
Federal bank regulatory agencies today reported in the 2024 Shared National Credit (SNC) report that credit risk associated with large, syndicated bank loans remains moderate. However, the agencies noted weakened credit quality trends continue due to the pressure of higher interest rates on leveraged borrowers and compressed operating margins in some industry sectors. The agencies…
OCC: Agency Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Certain Cryptocurrency Activities
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today took action to reaffirm that a range of cryptocurrency activities are permissible in the federal banking system. The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1183 to confirm that crypto-asset custody, certain stablecoin activities, and participation in independent node verification networks such as distributed ledger are permissible for…
ICBA: ICBA Applauds Treasury Secretary Bessent for Pro-Community Bank Remarks and Support for Independence of Prudential Banking Regulators
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today applauded Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for his remarks supporting community banks and committing to the continued independence of the nation’s prudential banking regulators and dual banking system. “ICBA and the nation’s community banks strongly support Secretary Bessent’s remarks on the positive role of community banks to Main…