The agency's request for comment about the deposit insurance application process is among a series of actions aimed at streamlining charter applications.
A pipeline of new banks is critical to the long-term health of the industry and communities across the country, argues FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams.
Just as a recent law softened Dodd-Frank resolution plan requirements, the head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. announced an effort to ease such rules for depository institutions.
Jelena McWilliams is responding to concerns from Republican members of Congress that FDIC staffers are discouraging banks from doing business with certain industries.
Banks earned $62 billion in the third quarter thanks to tax reform and higher asset yields while the Deposit Insurance Fund crossed a statutory threshold.
Regulators have made progress on revising stress tests, the Volcker Rule and other post-crisis measures. But some worry examiners still have too much latitude to punish banks for trivial matters.
As regulators get set to unveil a new capital ratio for community banks, FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams said she wants to go even further to simplify the capital regime.
The FDIC is seeking comment on how to encourage small-dollar lending at banks, signaling a course change from guidance it issued five years ago restricting such loans.
