On August 11, 2026, the OCC said it continues to prioritize reinvigorating de novo chartering to promote a robust and diverse banking system and support the U.S. economy. The agency also commended the FDIC for its recent efforts to establish a clearer and more transparent process for reviewing deposit insurance applications.
OCC Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould said de novo chartering is a sign of a healthy banking system and noted that the OCC has received 40 de novo applications over the past 18 months, including applications for national trust banks. The OCC said it has made decisions on many applications within 120 days of receiving a complete application, and for the first time in five years, a full-service national bank has received final approval and opened its doors.
The agency said it will continue encouraging the formation of new banks, including those engaged in legally permissible activities involving digital assets and other novel technologies, while working to strengthen the resilience of the federal banking system.
Read the OCC’s press release here.