The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a revised compliance guide explaining changes to the optional community bank leverage ratio framework that took effect July 1, 2026. The simplified capital framework could benefit 95% of community banks, with the revisions estimated to free up USD 64 billion that could support additional Main Street lending. The release also reviewed broader measures to tailor community bank regulation and supervision. These include a dedicated supervisory line, risk-based examination scope and frequency, a higher upper asset range for the community bank supervision portfolio, proportionate model risk and Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering expectations, simplified licensing and reduced data collection. The OCC has also proposed a simplified Community Reinvestment Act strategic plan process.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency2026-07-30
US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency revises community bank leverage ratio guide, with 95% potentially benefiting and USD 64 billion freed for lending
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency revised its compliance guide for community bank leverage ratio changes effective July 1, 2026. The framework could benefit 95% of community banks and free an estimated USD 64 billion to support additional lending.