NR 97-14
February 11, 1997

          OCC Web Site Lists Persons Banned From Banking

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(OCC) today  posted on its web site a list of more than 200
persons who have been banned by the OCC from participating in the
banking industry.  The list is intended to alert the banking
community about the status of these individuals.

The list includes persons who have been controlling shareholders
in banks; independent contractors for banks, such as attorneys,
accountants and appraisers; and bank officers, directors and
employees -- all described as "institution-affiliated parties." 
The 1989 Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement
Act mandated that the bank regulatory agencies publish the names
of persons who have been subject to final removal and prohibition
orders.  Since then, the OCC has issued monthly press releases
listing these orders.  These orders prior to 1989 are not public.

A removal and prohibition order is a lifetime ban from serving as
an institution-affiliated party or otherwise participating in the
conduct of the affairs of an insured depository institution. 
These orders can be issued either by consent or through
litigation.  It is a criminal act to violate these orders. 
Individuals subject to this ban may engage in banking or
affiliate with a bank only with the prior written consent of both
the agency that issued the order and the regulator of the bank
with which they seek to affiliate. 

Later this year, the OCC will post on its web site a list of
individuals who have been subject to other enforcement actions,
such as civil money penalties.  The OCC's web site is located at
http://www.occ.treas.gov.  

A copy of the list may also be obtained by writing to Comptroller
of the Currency, Public Reference Room (Mail Stop 1-5),
Washington, DC 20219; faxing a request to (202) 874-4448;
ordering by phone (202) 874-5043; or visiting the OCC's Public
Reference Room at 250 E Street, S.W. in Washington, D.C.  (9 a.m.
- noon and 1-3 p.m., Monday - Friday).

                              # # #

The OCC charters, regulates and supervises approximately 2,800 national banks
and 66 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 a
safe, sound and competitive national banking system that supports the
citizens, communities and economy of the United States.