The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced, in a highly anticipated decision, that it would begin to consider special-purpose charter applications from fintech entities. This move, which has been the subject of months of industry speculation, came mere hours after the Department of the Treasury endorsed a national charter for fintech companies. This … Continue Reading
Since 1996, when California became the first state to legalize marijuana (at the time, for medicinal purposes only), 28 additional states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana to some extent. Public support for legalization continues to rise as more and more jurisdictions loosen their marijuana laws, with 64 percent of Americans in favor … Continue Reading
As part of its push to promote innovation in the financial services industry, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) plans to allow financial technology (“fintech”) companies to become special purpose national banks. If the proposal is successful, fintech companies could secure a charter providing them with preemptive effects of federal law over … Continue Reading
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has revised its civil monetary penalty (CMP) policy, effective February 26, 2016. The revised Policy and Procedures Manual sets forth the OCC’s new scheme for the assessment of CMPs against national banks, federal savings associations, and bank service companies and service providers. The heart of the … Continue Reading
Yesterday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released its Semiannual Risk Perspective (the “Semiannual Risk Perspective”). The Semiannual Risk Perspective covers “key issues facing banks, focusing on those that pose threats to the safety and soundness of banks and their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.” While the OCC identifies four main … Continue Reading
