Fintech poses a risk to slow-to-adapt US banks: OCC
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has ranked fintech alongside banking scandals as the biggest risks for US banks. Faced with new products, services and processes, with competition from new entrants including out-of-market banks and fintech firms, the OCC suggests strategic planning and innovation are key to prevent banks from being at a disadvantage. The OCC plans to establish a new chartering system for fintech companies to introduce federal regulations to the sector, allowing them to operate across state borders.
Emerging financial technology poses a threat to US banks that are unable to compete with this developing field, according to an official report from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The OCC has released a semi-annual report into risks to the banking system since 2012 and in its latest report, fintech is ranked alongside bank account scandals such as the one involving Wells Fargo and Brexit as the biggest risks for US banks and their operations.

“Strategic planning remains important as banks adopt innovative products, services, and processes in response to the evolving demands for financial services and the entrance of new competitors, such as out-of-market banks and fintech firms,” the OCC said. "Failure to innovate to meet evolving needs or financial services may place a bank at a competitive disadvantage."

In December the OCC announced plans to create a new chartering system for fintech firms which will bring them into a federally regulated banking system and allow them to operate across state lines.

The move raised concern from a number of incumbent US banks concerned that they will be competitively disadvantaged but the Comptroller Thomas Curry has insisted that it is preferable to have fintechs enter the federal banking system "through a clearly marked front gate, rather than in some back door, where risks may not be as thoughtfully assessed and managed to bring them into a federally regulated banking system".

The OCC's report also mentions the growing operational risks facing banks as a result of "changing cyber security threats" and "an increased reliance on third party relationships".