Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

The National Currency Act created this agency on June 1, 1863, to stabilize the economy during the Civil War by issuing a uniform currency and establishing a system of national banks. Today it operates as an independent bureau within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing all national banks, federal savings associations, and foreign bank branches in the United States. Its authority stems from Congress rather than commercial profit, relying instead on fees collected from the institutions it supervises to fund its operations.

Jonathan V. Gould took office as Comptroller on July 15, 2025, leading the agency through a period of rapid technological change. His tenure has focused on integrating digital assets into the traditional banking framework while addressing workforce challenges that emerged in late 2026. The office manages a complex portfolio of regulatory tools ranging from safety-and-soundness exams to charter approvals for fintech companies seeking to operate as national banks. [edit]