Seeking to improve its processes, the federal agency that charters banks and thrifts will begin handling fingerprinting for background checks electronically in July, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said Friday.
The OCC requires fingerprints to establish positive identification for background investigations performed in connection with applications and notices submitted to the OCC, including charter applications, notices of acquisition of control, and notices to replace board members or senior management in certain institutions. Fingerprints are submitted to the FBI for a fingerprint identification check.
In July 2019, the OCC will begin using electronic fingerprinting technology to capture individuals’ fingerprints and transmit them to the FBI, the agency said in a bulletin to all supervised institutions. Individuals will be able to be fingerprinted at more than 1,000 collection sites, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it convenient for the applicant(s) or notificant(s) to find a location, according to the bulletin.
Additionally, the OCC said it has incorporated updated procedures and requirements for electronic fingerprinting in its “Background Investigations” booklet and the “Changes in Directors and Senior Executive Officers” booklet of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. The booklet revisions provide additional information on the electronic fingerprinting process.