Keith Noreika

Observers see recent comments by acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika as a sign that the agency may plow ahead on its policy for fintech firms.

In his short time in office, acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika has already taken public digs at two other banking agencies and signaled he isn't going to play it safe.

Federal regulators supported several changes the banking industry has been seeking in an appearance before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, acknowledging the need to limit the Volcker Rule and better define systemically important banks.

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika is expected Thursday to offer detailed proposals to loosen regulatory restrictions on financial institutions of all sizes, including simplification of the Volcker Rule, streamlined processes for approving de novos and curbs on CFPB exam authority.

The new acting chief of one of Washington’s major banking regulators has agreed to stay away from issues involving dozens of former legal clients, including 14 banks that the agency oversees, according to his ethics agreement.

The acting Comptroller of the Currency named longtime OCC official Michael Sullivan as deputy comptroller for economics.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is expected to face tough questions on the OCC, Glass-Steagall and housing finance reform when he testifies on Thursday.

Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee are raising concerns that a move by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to appoint Keith Noreika as acting comptroller was done to circumvent Senate vetting.

There are barriers to possible efforts by acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika to act unilaterally to change the Volcker Rule.

As Keith Noreika takes over as acting head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on Friday, he faces a daunting challenge: a precipitous drop in morale at the agency.