U.S. Regulator Says No to Dutch Online-Only Bank Bunq

A U.S. regulator, the OCC, rejected Dutch online-only bank Bunq's request to operate as a national bank on August 4, 2026. Think of a national charter as a federal license to do banking business nationwide. The OCC cited oversight worries and Bunq's lack of U.S. experience. Even as some tech-focused banks have won approval, the bar remains high for newcomers.