OCC underscores fairness as central to its mission, flags AI and fraud among priorities

An unidentified spokesperson for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said the agency views fairness as central to its work and that national banks and federal savings associations must ensure fair access to financial services, treat customers fairly and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

The spokesperson said the OCC "has elevated fairness as a priority" in recent years and cited several concrete efforts: issuing guidance on safe, sound and fair overdraft practices, strengthening the agency's fair lending program and bolstering financial inclusion initiatives. "Fairness is integral to the OCC's mission," the speaker said.

The statement stressed that fairness does not happen automatically. "Fairness is not self enforcing," the spokesperson said, adding that "achieving fairness requires work." The agency framed this as an ongoing supervisory and policy focus rather than a new rule or enforcement action.

The speaker also identified emerging areas of attention, saying the OCC remains "committed and vigilant about ensuring fairness, including with new technologies like AI and other issues like fraud." The remarks signal that the agency is monitoring how technological tools and deceptive practices could affect equitable access to financial services.

The statement did not announce any formal actions, rulemakings or enforcement measures. For more information about the OCC's fairness work, the spokesperson directed listeners to occ.gov.