About the OCC:
The Rise of Modern Banking (1970-Today)

If you have questions about the history of the OCC or the national banking system, feel free to address them to to our historian.

During the last quarter century, banking has undergone a revolution. Technology has transformed the way Americans obtain financial services. Telephone banking, debit and credit cards, and automatic teller machines are commonplace, and electronic money and banking are evolving. The techniques of bank examination have changed, too. Today OCC examiners use computers and technology to help ensure that the banks they supervise understand and control the risks of the complex new world of financial services. The OCC supervises national banks and enforces federal banking laws. It rules on new charter and merger applications for national banks, and conducts basic research on banking and the economy. The tools have changed, but for the OCC, the basic mission remains the same as in the days of Lincoln: to ensure a safe, sound, and competitive national banking system that supports the citizens, communities, and economy of the United States. Banking units like these interactive video systems -- which can be placed in a shopping mall, supermarket or banking branch lobby -- connect bank customers to bank product specialists who can execute transactions from a central office. More of the Changing World of Banking: Introduction1790 to 1832 1832 to 1864 1865 to 19141929 to 19701970 to Today