Who regulates my bank? How to find out
Every US bank and credit union has a primary federal regulator, and many also answer to a state. Here is how to identify yours in a few minutes — and which agency to contact.
US banking oversight is split across several agencies, and the one that supervises a given bank depends on how that bank is chartered — not on its size or brand. The good news is that the answer is public and quick to find. (For what each agency does, see our US banking regulators reference.)
Step 1: Find the institution's legal name
Brand names and legal names often differ. Look at the bottom of the bank's website, your account agreement or a statement for the legal entity and a line such as "Member FDIC" or "Federally insured by NCUA." If you use a fintech app, the fine print usually names a partner bank ("Banking services provided by…"). That partner bank — not the app — holds your deposits and has a bank regulator.
Step 2: Look it up
- Banks and savings associations: search the FDIC's BankFind Suite. An institution's profile shows its FDIC certificate number, its charter type and its primary federal regulator.
- Credit unions: use the NCUA's credit union locator (linked from NCUA.gov and MyCreditUnion.gov), which shows whether a credit union is federally insured and whether it has a federal or state charter.
Step 3: Read the charter
| Clue in the name or profile | Charter | Primary federal regulator |
|---|---|---|
| "N.A." or "National Association" | National bank | OCC |
| "Federal Savings Bank," "FSB," "Federal Savings Association" | Federal savings association | OCC |
| State charter, Federal Reserve member | State member bank | Federal Reserve, with the state regulator |
| State charter, not a Fed member | State non-member bank | FDIC, with the state regulator |
| "Federal Credit Union" or "FCU" | Federal credit union | NCUA |
| State-chartered credit union | State credit union | State regulator; NCUA if federally insured |
Example: "Bank of America, N.A." — the "N.A." means it is a national bank, so its primary federal regulator is the OCC. Because it is also far above $10 billion in assets, the CFPB supervises it for federal consumer financial law.
Step 4: Check the overlays
- CFPB. Banks and credit unions with more than $10 billion in assets are supervised by the CFPB for consumer financial law, in addition to their primary regulator. Smaller institutions' consumer compliance is examined by their primary regulator.
- Holding companies. Most large banks are owned by a bank holding company, which the Federal Reserve supervises. The FFIEC's National Information Center (NIC) shows corporate structure.
- States. State-chartered institutions are examined by their state banking or credit union department. The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) publishes a directory of state banking regulators.
Which agency to contact
Start with the bank itself and keep a written record. If that fails, the usual routes are:
- Any consumer banking problem (fees, a denied or withheld bonus, account closures, transfer errors): the CFPB complaint portal at ConsumerFinance.gov, which forwards complaints to the company and tracks responses.
- National banks and federal savings associations: the OCC's HelpWithMyBank.gov.
- State member banks: the Federal Reserve's consumer help site.
- State non-member banks: the FDIC's information and support center, and your state regulator.
- Credit unions: the NCUA's consumer assistance resources at MyCreditUnion.gov, and your state regulator for state-chartered credit unions.
- ChexSystems or Early Warning Services errors: dispute with the agency first — see your ChexSystems report — then the CFPB.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out who regulates my bank?
Look up the bank's legal name in the FDIC's BankFind Suite, which lists its primary federal regulator. For a credit union, use the NCUA's credit union locator. The charter type — national bank, state member bank, state non-member bank, or credit union — determines the regulator.
Who regulates national banks?
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) charters and supervises national banks (names ending in "N.A.") and federal savings associations.
What determines whether the OCC or the FDIC regulates a bank?
The charter. National banks and federal savings associations are supervised by the OCC. State-chartered banks that are not Federal Reserve members are supervised by the FDIC together with their state regulator.
Who regulates my credit union?
Federal credit unions are regulated by the NCUA. State-chartered credit unions are regulated by their state, and most are also federally insured and examined by the NCUA.
Where do I complain about my bank?
Start with the bank in writing. If unresolved, the CFPB accepts complaints about most consumer banking issues, and the primary regulator (OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, NCUA or the state) also takes consumer complaints.