An official website of the United States government
A robust pipeline of de novo banks is crucial to a healthy financial system. New entrants bring new ideas, new products, and new services that increase competition, drive innovation and expand consumer choice. More importantly, de novo chartering helps ensure that the banking system continues to keep pace with the evolution of finance and supports our modern economy.
Over the past 15 years, de novo chartering has stagnated. From 2011 through 2024, the OCC received, on average, less than four charter applications per year. This shortage of applications was not due to lack of demand, but rather a regulatory approach that stifled the formation of new banks, reduced competition, and weakened the resilience of the banking system.
Under Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s leadership, the OCC is working to reverse this trend and leading a de novo resurgence to build a robust, diverse banking system that promotes healthy competition, a commitment to innovation, and supports the American economy.
Total applications and approvals from January 2025 to September 18, 2026.
Date Range
Select the start and end years to adjust the chart's display range.
Selecting the date range will refresh the table below.
The OCC charter application process is transparent, apolitical and nonpartisan. The OCC's Chartering, Organization and Structure unit, staffed with only civil servants, conducts rigorous reviews to determine whether, in fact, de novo charter applications meet statutory standards and can comply with the agency's high supervisory expectations before providing conditional and ultimately final approval, if warranted.
Learn More
Visit the OCC's FOIA Library and navigate to the Charters folder to read the public portion of de novo applications submitted to the OCC.
Some bank applications and notices—such as mergers, new charters, or other significant transactions—must be publicly announced.
A current list of pending licensing applications to the OCC from entities planning to offer digital asset products or services, including crypto-assets.
View the OCC’s decision letters on charter applications. The OCC seeks to render decisions within 120 days of receipt of a complete application.
