OCC Report Highlights Major Banks’ Restrictions on Certain Industries

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency warns JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Citi over possible legal action for unlawful debanking practices.

Summary

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released a report reviewing nine major banks between 2020 and 2023, identifying policies that restricted access to financial services for certain industries. JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Citi were specifically named. The OCC cautioned that such practices could lead to legal action if found to constitute unlawful debanking. This followed action by President Trump to challenge U.S. banking restrictions on controversial sectors.

Terms & Concepts
  • OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency): A U.S. federal agency that regulates and supervises national banks and federal savings associations.
  • Debanking: The act of denying an individual or organization access to banking services, often due to policy, risk, or compliance concerns.