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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is a United States government agency within the Department of the Treasury responsible for chartering, regulating, and supervising national banks and federal savings associations. It was established to ensure a safe, sound, and accessible national banking system and to promote fair access to financial services.

The OCC acts as the primary federal regulator for nationally chartered banks and federal savings associations. Its duties include issuing charters, approving mergers and acquisitions involving these institutions, and conducting regular examinations to assess safety and soundness, compliance with banking laws, and consumer protection. The agency also enforces federal banking laws, including anti-money laundering and other compliance requirements, and issues rules and guidance on risk management, capital adequacy, governance, and operations.

Enforcement is a core tool of the OCC, which may take actions against institutions that violate laws or regulations. These actions can range from formal enforcement orders and penalties to more intrusive measures to restore compliance and financial stability. The OCC also contributes to policy development and interpretation of federal banking standards.

The Comptroller of the Currency, the agency’s head, is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and serves as the principal policymaker. The OCC operates alongside other federal and state regulators, such as the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and state banking authorities, to form the framework for supervising the U.S. banking system and protecting consumers.