OCCGeneralApril 29, 2026

OCC Clarifies National Banks' Right to Charge Interchange and Other Non-Interest Fees

The OCC has adopted an interim final rule affirming that national banks have broad authority to assess non-interest charges and fees — including interchange fees from credit and debit card operations — even when those fees are set by or negotiated with third parties. This directly supports bank-fintech partnership models where fee structures are co-designed with program managers or payment processors, providing clearer legal footing for those arrangements.

What to do

Share this interim final rule with your legal and product teams to confirm that existing or planned card program fee structures with national bank partners are consistent with the OCC's clarified authority, and consider submitting comments during the open comment period.

Who this affects

Bank / Credit UnionPayments CompanyFintech / Neobank

Does this affect your program?

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Source

Read the official publication

This radar entry is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and grounded in the linked official source; always verify against the primary source and consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

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