On February 18, it was reported that Acting Comptroller of the OCC, Rodney Hood, announced plans to ease regulations for community banks, focusing on facilitating mergers and exploring financial technology. Speaking at a conference, Hood emphasized his active role, stating “‘[Acting Comptroller]’ does not mean ‘inactive,’” and pledged to work diligently to reduce regulatory burdens. Hood stated his priorities and plans to discuss with DOJ his aim to include credit union data in market-share calculations for bank mergers to prevent skewed results and delays. He also highlighted the need for “regulatory clarity and guidance” around bank-fintech partnerships and expressed support for a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, aligning with the Trump Administration’s views. Hood plans to enhance the OCC’s use of regulatory technology and to revisit anti-money laundering rules to better accommodate technological advancements. Hood also emphasized a tailored regulatory approach, stating, “I don’t think that the current regs are tailored at all,” and expressed a commitment to adjusting regulations to suit banks of different sizes and complexities.
