by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SOUTH BRONX/SDNY, Feb 9 – Amid the FDIC's bid to eliminate public notice of and public comment on branch applications, when Inner City Press simultaneously challenged Bunq and World Liberty Trust Company, by 7 pm on January 14 the OCC had only acknowledged FFW's comment on Bunq - nothing on WLTC - even on February 8 while the comment period is running, set to expire on February 9 after a January 6 filing.
This as the OCC says its reviews are apolitical.
On February 8, FFW filed again, including that
"especially now given the UAE investment in World Liberty issues, there is no justification for the OCC not acknowledging timely comments in opposition, such as those filed to date by FFW, and not putting any comment on the application on it webpage of comment on applications."
Later on February 9, this from the OCC:
"Dear Mr. Lee: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) acknowledges receipt of your emails dated January 14, February 2, and February 8, 2026, regarding the above referenced application. We appreciate your comments and will consider these remarks during our review of the application. Please include the OCC control number on any correspondence related to this filing. If you have any questions, please contact the undersigned. Sincerely, Jonathan S. Borton Analyst, Chartering, Organization and Structure Office of the Comptroller of the Currency." Now on Inner City Press' DocumentCloud here
Now what?
See, e.g., Sept 10, 2025: https://www.americanbanker.com/opinion/the-fdic-is-undercutting-a-key-element-of-the-cra
But now the Federal regulator(s) blithely propose(s) to eliminate public notice and public comment on banks' proposals to expand. The above-quoted reasoning is that few comments are filed. So, that is now changing.
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