On May 8, 2025, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood spoke at the Building Societies Annual Conference where he discussed the OCC’s priorities since he was appointed in February. Hood said the OCC is focusing on four specific priority areas including reducing regulatory burden, embracing bank-fintech partnerships, expanding responsible bank activities involving digital assets, and promoting financial inclusion.
Hood focused his discussion on financial inclusion stating that is is one of the crucial civil rights issues of our time, emphasizing that a significant percentage of American households face financial vulnerability. He said that access to fair and affordable financial services is essential for economic participation. Hood cited the OCC’s Project REACh which aims to address barriers preventing underserved communities from accessing financial services. According to Hood, Project REACh is now working to make credit more accessible, helping more people afford homes through down payment assistance programs, special credit options, and better homebuyer counseling.
Hood’s full speech can be found here.