Recently, several financial technology (“Fintech”) organizations have applied for – and been granted – banking charter licenses. For example, in May 2019, Grasshopper was approved for a charter issued by the Office of the...more
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) has filed a lawsuit in D.C. federal district court to block the OCC from granting a national bank charter to Figure Technologies Inc. According to the complaint, Figure,...more
Despite often operating on a nationwide scale, fintech companies rarely meet the stringent requirements for obtaining a national banking charter. Under the current regulatory landscape, these companies must therefore secure...more
On July 31, 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approved the national bank charter application of Varo Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of fintech Varo Money, Inc. The approved application is for a...more
As we reported, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks has previewed the OCC’s plans to introduce another special purpose national bank charter that would give payment companies a nationwide servicing platform and...more
For the first time, a U.S. fintech company is acquiring a regulated U.S. bank, which will give it access to a stable and cheaper source of funding – as well as a national bank charter. On February 18th, LendingClub, one of...more
In the latest battle over the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC’s) plan to issue special purpose national bank (SPNB) charters, a D.C. federal judge has for a second time dismissed a lawsuit brought by the...more
In this episode, John ReVeal discusses the background of OCC special purpose charter for FinTechs, including authority and scope. The episode also addresses the concerns and requirements for most FinTechs, including the...more
Given the heavily regulated nature of financial services in the United States, it should not be a surprise that one of the biggest challenges facing the “fintech” industry is regulatory uncertainty. As explained by the...more
Last fall, we reported that one fintech company – Varo Money, Inc. – a mobile banking startup helping customers solve financial problems, manage money and reach financial goals, applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the...more
In a press release, the organizers of Varo Bank, N.A. announced they have been granted preliminary approval by the OCC of their application to form a de novo national bank, which they claim “put[s] Varo on track to become the...more
Earlier this summer the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued the anticipated announcement that fintech companies engaged in the business of banking may apply for special purpose national bank charters. ...more
In a long-awaited decision, on July 31, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that it will move ahead with accepting applications for national bank charters from nondepository FinTech companies. While...more
On July 31, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) announced that it will begin accepting applications for special-purpose national bank charters from financial technology companies (“fintech”). A...more
For two years the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) solicited comments on how it can support responsible innovation in the financial services industry in order to meet the evolving needs of the consumers,...more
On July 31, 2018 the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced that, effective immediately, it is now accepting national bank charter applications from nondepository financial technology (fintech) companies...more
On July 31, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced that it will begin accepting applications for special purpose national bank (SPNB) charters from nondepository fintech companies engaged in the...more
A New York federal district court has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) challenging the OCC’s authority to grant special purpose national bank (SPNB) charters to nondepository...more
Last week, the OCC announced that it had issued a full service national bank charter to Winter Park National Bank of Florida. Acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika released a statement in which he stated that...more
In remarks last week at Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law’s Fintech Week event, Acting OCC Comptroller Keith Noreika provided the “latest on our thinking regarding a charter for fintech companies...more
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors has released a list of 33 companies that will serve as members of its Fintech Industry Advisory Panel. According to the CSBS, the Advisory Panel’s purpose is “to support state...more
Holding the line on the future of fintech charters, Acting Comptroller Keith Noreika confirmed that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will move forward with its plans to issue special purpose charters....more
A fintech company considering a national bank charter will need to consider whether committing to a multi-year business plan is feasible in an industry that is constantly evolving, and in which the ability to respond quickly...more
In his remarks at the LendIt Conference in New York, Comptroller of the Currency Tom Curry discussed the special purpose national bank charters to be granted by the OCC to fintech companies and addressed the various...more
Proposed legislation to implement New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2018 Fiscal Year Executive Budget would amend the New York Licensed Lender Law to significantly extend its licensing requirements. The proposal threatens to...more