NR96-68
June 11, 1996

                           STATEMENT BY
                         EUGENE A. LUDWIG
                   COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY

(Note to Editors:  Chairman Leach of the House Banking Committee
today announced that he would no longer pursue comprehensive
financial modernization legislation in this session of Congress. 
In response, Comptroller of the Currency Eugene A. Ludwig
released the following statement.)



Chairman Leach and I have disagreed on some aspects of his
proposal, but his efforts have significantly advanced the
dialogue on the important question of modernizing the banking
system.  That is a major accomplishment in its own right, and I
commend him for it.


                              # # #

The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,800
national banks and 70 federal branches and agencies of foreign
banks in the U.S., accounting for more than half the nation's
banking assets.  Its mission is to ensure the safety and
soundness of the national banking system.