OCCOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency
An independent bureau of the US Department of the Treasury, created in 1863, that charters, regulates and supervises national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. OCC examinations cover compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and related AML/CFT laws.
Why it matters
The OCC supervises many of the largest US banks, so its expectations shape industry practice. Its examiners assess BSA/AML programs using the FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual, and the OCC can issue cease-and-desist orders and civil money penalties when programs fall short, often requiring improvements to transaction monitoring, customer due diligence and suspicious activity reporting.
The OCC also grants national bank and trust charters, including to fintech and digital asset firms, which brings these firms under federal BSA supervision.
Supervisory focus has been shifting toward effectiveness and proportionality. In April 2026, the OCC joined the FDIC and NCUA in proposing AML/CFT program rules aligned with FinCEN's proposed overhaul, which aims to focus supervision on whether programs effectively manage risk instead of on technical deficiencies.
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