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Michael J. Hsu became Acting Comptroller of the Currency on May 10, 2021, upon his designation as First Deputy Comptroller by Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. The OCC charters, regulates and supervises all national banks and federal savings associations and ensures that they operate in a safe and sound manner, provide fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly, and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
The business of banking is rapidly changing with the mass adoption of digital technologies. These innovations can provide convenience and accessibility, but also have the potential to bring risks.
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In banking, the responsible approach to innovation is the better way: by progressing in tightly controlled stages where the risks can be identified, measured, and managed at each stage, by building the brakes and the engine at the same time, and by working with regulators, instead of around them.”
Overconfidence leading to complacency is a risk especially during periods of growth and innovation. To protect the gains in trust made since the financial crisis, banks and regulators must remain vigilant.
A ‘lackadaisical attitude towards risk discipline’ can undermine good risk systems and cause unexpected losses. Maintaining a strong risk management discipline is critical.”
Climate change presents risks to the financial system. The increased frequency, severity, and volatility of extreme weather affects the value of financial assets and borrowers' credit worthiness.
The OCC’s focus on climate-related financial risk is firmly rooted in our mandate to ensure that national banks operate in a safe and sound manner.”
Reducing inequality in banking must be a national priority, and banks can play an important role in closing the wealth gap. The OCC’s twin mission of ensuring that banks provide fair access to financial services and treat customers fairly speaks to these challenges.
Persistent economic inequality can erode trust in the banking system. Americans who lack access to traditional financial products and services or feel exploited by banks may conclude that the system is working against them, rather than for them. The OCC is focused on several initiatives to address this problem.”
Acting Comptroller Michael J. Hsu offered remarks at the OCC’s Symposium on the Tokenization of Real-World Assets and Liabilities. The symposium included panel discussions among thought leaders, academics, community groups, and the banking industry on tokenization. The symposium featured moderated panel discussions to explore the legal foundations for digital asset tokens, tokenization use cases, and risk management and control considerations. The symposium also included a panel discussion of academic papers on tokenization.
On May 29, the OCC held the Project REACh Financial Inclusion Summit to reflect on the groundbreaking solutions led by Project REACh participants and to discuss new initiatives to increase economic mobility within financially underserved and under-resourced communities. Project REACh, or the Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, brings together leaders from the banking industry, national civil rights organizations, business, technology and community development to identify and reduce specific barriers that prevent full, equal and fair participation in the nation's economy.
Discusses the Comptroller's priorities for the year ahead, the agency’s accomplishments, and the state of the financial industry.
Explore data and statistics about the OCC and the federal banking system, licensing activities, enforcement actions, and more.
Provides an overview of the agency's mission, vision, goals, and core values.
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