Overview

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regulates and supervises national banks. With nearly 1,600 banks under its supervision, the OCC has the power to examine, approve or deny charters and issue new rules to govern proper banking practices. The OCC was formed in 1863 to regulate lending from national banks which, at the time, issued currency.

With four offices nationally and one in London that regulates the foreign activities of national banks, the OCC also supervises nearly 50 international banks with offices in the U.S.