The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) was established in 1863 as an independent bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Its primary mission is to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks and federal savings associations. They also supervise the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. Their goal in supervising banks and federal savings associations is to ensure that they operate in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with laws requiring fair treatment of their customers and fair access to credit and financial products. The OCC recognizing the important role that minority-owned banks and savings associations play in addressing financial services needs in the communities they serve, is committed to encouraging the success of these financial institutions.