Comptroller Gould Discusses Efforts to Support Community Banks

News Release 2026-94|October 27, 2026

Comptroller Gould Discusses Efforts to Support Community Banks

WASHINGTON—Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould today discussed the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) work to help community banks thrive and remain dynamic as the financial industry evolves in remarks before the Ohio Bankers League.

Excerpts from Comptroller Gould’s remarks are below. His full remarks can be found here.

Ohio Community Banks

Throughout our nation’s history, Ohio has played a pivotal role in shaping the American financial system. During the Civil War, an Ohio native, Salmon P. Chase, serving as President Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, helped build the national banking system.

Ohio communities are filled with banks that have persisted and thrived through years of change in the American financial system, consistently adapting to meet customer needs. The OCC supervises 65 Ohio institutions, representing $5.6 trillion in assets, ranging from some of the nation’s largest banks to small community banks.

Two hours south of here is the First National Bank of McConnelsville, which opened its doors in 1863—the same year the OCC was established. Founded with capital of $75,000, it is today the oldest national bank still operating under the same name and the same OCC charter.

Community Banks and the GENIUS Act

The OCC has made its position clear: Community banks have a role in the future of payments. Under the final rule, there is a pathway for interested community banks to explore issuing payment stablecoins through a subsidiary. And the requirements are meant to fit the size and risk of the issuer, not to be a one-size-fits-all compliance burden that only the biggest institutions can afford.

That is not just a promise on paper. The rule applies the same standards to bank and nonbank issuers, so community banks are not asked to compete on an uneven field.

Community Bank Comeback

The Trump Administration’s Community Bank Comeback is working to right years of overregulation to help community banks thrive. Our focus has been to reduce and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burden, so community banks have more time to focus on what they do best, serving the financial needs of their customers, supporting their communities, and helping to drive local economic growth.

Related Links

• Comptroller Remarks (PDF)
• Community Bank Comeback
• News Release: OCC Advances U.S. Digital Asset Leadership with Final Rule to Implement GENIUS Act
• Community Bank Fact Sheet – GENIUS Act (PDF)
• Bulletin 2026-50, GENIUS Act Regulations: Final Rule
  • Implementing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act for the Issuance of Stablecoins by Entities Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (PDF)
• Bulletin 2026-51, GENIUS Act: Waivers and Application Submission Guidance
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Applications for Licensing or Registration to Issue Payment Stablecoins Under the GENIUS Act (PDF)
• Bulletin 2026-52, GENIUS Act: Revised Reporting Forms and Instructions for Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Reporting Forms and Instructions for Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (PDF)
• OCC Web Page on the GENIUS Act

Media Contact

Rebecca Karabus
(202) 649-6870

Topic(s):

• Community Bank
• Genius Act