Bank Regulators Loosen Lips on Secret Info: FOIA Gets a Boost
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is proposing changes to its rules on information disclosure. The proposal would clarify the process for obtaining OCC approval to disclose non- public OCC information and allow for the disclosure of confidential supervisory information without OCC approval in certain circumstances, provided that applicable safeguards are observed. It also refines the OCC's process for requesting records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), amends the rules to provide for expedited process of FOIA requests, and makes other structural and conforming changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Share Confidential Supervisory Information
If you run or work for a bank, service provider, or other supervised entity, the OCC would let you disclose certain "confidential supervisory information" (CSI) without prior OCC approval in six specified situations, provided required safeguards are used. The rule also clarifies when CSI remains covered and when prior OCC approval is still required.
Stablecoin Issuers Become Supervised
The OCC would expand the definition of "supervised entity" to include permitted stablecoin issuers and foreign payment stablecoin issuers for which the OCC has regulatory or enforcement authority under the GENIUS Act. Those stablecoin issuers would be subject to the new subpart B disclosure rules.
Help Community Banks Partner Locally
The OCC notes that the current rules have made bank partnerships harder, especially for community banks, and that such partnerships can provide consumers and small businesses in rural and underserved markets with digital tools, lower‑cost loans, and tailored products. The proposal aims to rebalance confidentiality and disclosure to reduce that friction and enable those partnerships.
Faster FOIA Request Processing
The OCC would add procedures to allow expedited processing of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and refine its FOIA request and appeal processes. If you request OCC records under FOIA, you could get faster handling and a clearer appeals path under the proposed rules.
Remove Criminal Penalty Reference
The OCC proposes to remove the current rule text that references criminal penalties (18 U.S.C. 641) for unauthorized disclosure of non-public OCC information. The OCC says removing this reference aims to reduce a 'chilling effect' so supervised entities are less hesitant to make lawful disclosures.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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