On April 23, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Reserve Board, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) jointly issued a final rule revising the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) framework. The rule, titled “Regulatory Capital Rule: Revisions to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework,” will take effect on July 1, 2026.It… Continue Reading
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OCC Issues Two Final Rules to Reduce Regulatory Burden on Community Banks (National Banks and Federal Savings Associations and Banks)
By Beau Hurtig & Alan S. Kaplinsky on
Posted in Community Banks, OCC
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently adopted two final rules designed to reduce regulatory burden on community banks. The rules expand streamlined licensing procedures for qualifying community banks and rescind an outdated mortgage data collection regulation that applied only to national banks.
According to the OCC, the actions are intended to tailor regulatory requirements to the size and complexity of banking organizations and eliminate duplicative or unnecessary compliance obligations while preserving core supervisory and consumer protection safeguards.… Continue Reading
OCC Proposes to Clarify Activities Permissible for National Trust Banks
By Scott A. Coleman, Beau Hurtig & Alan S. Kaplinsky on
Posted in OCC, Proposed Rulemaking
On January 12, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its national bank chartering regulation, 12 C.F.R. § 5.20, to clarify a point the agency views as well settled: national banks chartered as trust companies may engage in certain non-fiduciary activities in addition to fiduciary activities.… Continue Reading
FDIC proposing rescinding merger policy adopted in September
By Beau Hurtig & Scott A. Coleman on
Posted in FDIC
The FDIC has proposed rescinding the agency’s 2024 Statement of Policy on Bank Merger Transactions. FDIC officials said at the time of issuance that the Statement of Policy addresses the scope of transactions that will be reviewed, the process for that review and whether a proposed deal follows the standards established in the Bank Merger Act. … Continue Reading
FDIC, OCC and Justice Department update bank merger guidelines
By Scott A. Coleman & Beau Hurtig on
The FDIC, the OCC and the Justice Department earlier this month issued updated standards for bank mergers. The three agencies acted separately, although officials noted that they had worked with the other agencies involved.
“Continued engagement with our fellow regulators is vitally important, especially as it relates to evaluating the competitive effects of mergers,” FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg said.… Continue Reading