Acting Comptroller of the Currency Presents Bank Charter to Minority Depository Institution
News Release 2022-59 | May 23, 2022 Acting Comptroller of the Currency
Presents Bank Charter to Minority Depository Institution
WASHINGTON â Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J.
Hsu today presented a full-service community national bank charter to
Agility Bank, N. A. in Houston.
The woman-owned and -led bank
is the first new minority depository institution (MDI) national bank
in 15 years. Typically, MDIs serve economically challenged communities
traditionally underserved by the banking industry and other
businesses.
âMDIs like Agility are critically important for
communities that have limited access to capital, credit, and
responsible financial services,â said Acting Comptroller Hsu.
âToday marks a small, but important step in increasing diversity in
bank leadership and ownership. My hope is that todayâs event marking
Agilityâs success in obtaining a national bank charter inspires
others to follow in founder Lauren Sparksâ footsteps. â
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) works to
promote and revitalize MDIs through various initiatives. The OCCâs
Project REACh, or Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, has a
workstream focused on revitalizing MDIs and strengthening their
ability to improve their customersâ access to capital and meeting
their broader banking needs. Twenty-five large and midsize banks have
signed the Project REACh MDI Pledge and are providing MDIs with direct
investments, technical assistance, business opportunities, executive
training, and other resources. The agency also has a Minority
Depository Institutions Advisory Committee, which advises the OCC on
issues and opportunities facing these institutions. Related Links
Media ContactStephanie Collins (202) 649-6870