On March 3, 2026, the OCC issued two final rules to reduce the regulatory burden for community banks. These actions, according to the OCC, build upon its ongoing efforts to tailor bank supervision and regulation to bank risk profile and reduce burden for its regulated institutions so they can focus resources on core functions.
The first final rule rescinds the Fair Housing Home Loan Data System regulation. Through the final rule, obsolete and largely duplicative data collection requirements on applications for home loans that applied only to national banks are removed. It eliminates regulatory burden for these institutions without having a material impact on the availability of data necessary for the OCC to conduct its fair housing-related supervisory activities.
The second final rule simplifies licensing requirements for corporate activities and transactions involving community banks. The final rule expands access to expedited or reduced filing procedures for community banks to lessen the burden of corporate activities and transactions.
Read the OCC’s announcement here.
The Rescission of Fair Housing Home Loan Data System Final Rule can be found here.
The Community Bank Licensing Amendments: Final Rule can be found here.