Foreign fintechs seek U.S. national bank charters

US regulator rejects Dutch fintech Bunq's application for national bank charter

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The OCC rejected Wise's application for a national trust bank charter last month.

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Bunq reapplied for a U.S. bank charter in January 2026.

Following the withdrawal of an earlier application at the start of 2024, Dutch fintech Bunq reapplied for a U.S. bank charter in January 2026.

The company had previously secured a FINRA-approved broker-dealer license in 2025, which allowed it to offer investment products in the United States, with the intention of following this with a full banking license.

Bunq secured a U.S. FINRA-approved broker-dealer license in 2025.

In 2025, Dutch fintech Bunq secured a broker-dealer license approved by the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This license allows the company to offer investment products within the United States.

The move comes as the company seeks to establish a U.S. banking presence. Following this license, Bunq had hoped to obtain a full banking license.

Bunq withdrew its initial U.S. bank charter application at the start of 2024.

At the start of 2024, the Dutch fintech Bunq withdrew its initial application for a U.S. national bank charter. This followed a rejection by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The OCC's rejection was based on several concerns, including a lack of a clear plan for how the company would be capitalized in the United States. Additionally, regulators raised doubts regarding management's experience with unsecured credit cards and the firm's ability to operate safely and generate profit within the competitive U.S. market. A spokesperson for Bunq noted that the regulator required a plan more specifically tailored to the U.S. market.