Number: RS22057
Title: Preemption of State Law for National Banks and Their Subsidiaries by Regulations Issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: A Sketch
Authors: M. Maureen Murphy, American Law Division 
Abstract: February 12, 2004, was the effective date of regulations, issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the regulator of national banks, preempting certain types of state laws affecting national bank real estate lending, other lending, and deposit-taking functions and providing a procedure for OCC to preempt other state laws affecting activities or powers authorized by Congress for national banks. Over the years, OCCs preemptive authority has been challenged in the courts. The new regulations have been criticized by state bank regulators, mortgage bankers, and consumer groups as exceeding OCCs authority, upsetting the delicate balance of the dual banking system, and undermining states ability to enact and enforce consumer protection and anti-predatory lending laws. Although legislation was introduced in the 108th Congress to overturn the regulations, it was not acted upon.
Pages: 5
Date: February 18, 2005