ICBA applauds OCC efforts to reform community bank licensing

ICBA applauded the OCC’s efforts to reform the licensing process for community banks.

Details: In a comment letter on the OCC proposal, ICBA:

• Said it supports language in the proposal that would deem community banks with less than $30 billion in total assets that meet certain other requirements as “covered institutions” for OCC licensing requirements, which would allow additional community banks to benefit from reductions in filing requirements and expedited review processes.

• Encouraged the OCC to quickly finalize the proposed rule so that community banks can receive this needed regulatory relief.

Background: The OCC in October announced several ICBA-supported efforts to reduce regulatory burden for community banks, including Bulletin 2025-28, a proposed rule to automatically deem community banks with less than $30 billion in total assets as covered institutions in relation to licensing requirements, expediting licensing processes such as branch applications.

Past ICBA Support: In a national news release after the OCC’s October announcement, ICBA commended the agency for taking meaningful steps to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on community banks.