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An official website of the United States government

Charters & Licensing

The OCC ensures that the corporate structures of national banks and federal savings associations are established and maintained in accordance with the principles of a safe and sound banking system.

  • Charters & Licensing Overview

    The OCC's Chartering, Organization and Structure department (CO&S) receives, analyzes, and decides filings to establish, change the structure of, or change the activities performed by national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. CO&S works with the agency's legal and supervisory divisions to render independent decisions supported by a sound record of facts and comprehensive financial, supervisory and legal analyses.

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    GENIUS Act

    View the OCC web page on the GENIUS Act.

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    De Novo Chartering

    View data on de novo charter applications and approvals.

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    Digital Assets Licensing Applications

    View pending licensing applications from entities planning to offer digital asset products or services, including crypto-assets.

  • News & Bulletins

Financial Institution Lists

Access the most recent lists of financial institutions chartered and regulated by the OCC, including national banks, federal savings associations, credit card banks, and trust banks.

  • Comptroller's Licensing Manual & Forms

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    The Comptroller's Licensing Manual consists of a series of booklets that explain the OCC's policies and procedures on key licensing topics such as mergers, charters, changes in bank control, branch establishment, and conversion to a national bank or federal savings association.

Licensing Resources

Contact Licensing

Learn how to contact the OCC’s Licensing Office.

  • Interpretations & Decisions

    Interpretations & Decisions

    Interpretations and Decisions include legal interpretations and significant decisions on applications.