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.
Digital Assets Licensing Applications
- View the pending licensing applications to the OCC for new (de novo) national bank charters or conversions to national banks received from entities planning to offer digital asset products or services, including crypto-assets.
Licensing Decisions of Interest
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
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 Activities
Weekly Bulletin
View the record of receipt and OCC actions on applications and notices filed by national banks and federal savings associations.
Corporate Applications
Use the Corporate Applications Search (CAS) to search applications and actions.
Central Application Tracking System (CATS)
Use the Central Application Tracking System (CATS) to submit licensing and public welfare investment applications and notices.
Public Comments on Applications
Provide a comment on certain financial institution applications and other notices, as required by law, regulation, or OCC policy.
Contact Licensing
Learn how to contact the OCC's Licensing Office.
Interpretations & Actions
Interpretations and actions, published monthly, include legal interpretations, CRA evaluations, enforcement actions, and significant decisions on applications.
