“De novo chartering is a sign of a healthy banking system,” said Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould. Over the past 15 years, de novo chartering declined significantly, contributing to a less dynamic and competitive banking industry. From 2011 through 2014, for example, the OCC received an average of less than four charter applications per year. In the last 18 months, the OCC has received 40 de novo applications, including applications for national trust banks, which the OCC has chartered for decades. The OCC will continue to encourage the formation of new banks and strengthen the resilience of the federal banking system.