TITLE: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Issues Interagency Guidance on Lending to Non-Work Authorized Borrowers
BODY:
On July 13, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) issued interagency guidance reminding supervised financial institutions to apply existing safe-and-sound credit risk management practices when lending to individuals not legally authorized to work in the United States. The guidance follows the President's Executive Order on "Restoring Integrity to America's Financial System."
The OCC, FDIC, and NCUA identified that non-work authorized borrowers may present elevated credit risk because their ability to generate income, employment continuity, and financial stability may be more uncertain. The guidance emphasises that financial institutions should continue to apply sound underwriting practices that assess a borrower's willingness and capacity to repay according to the terms of the credit obligation. These practices include assessing the source of repayment, the borrower's repayment capacity, and the borrower's overall financial condition, resources, and willingness to repay the obligation as agreed. Uncertainties related to a borrower's employment authorization may affect the stability and sustainability of income, repayment capacity, collateral recovery, or other factors relevant to credit risk. The guidance highlights the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) June 8, 2026, "Statement on Ability To Repay and Immigration Status," which reminds creditors of their obligations under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Regulation Z, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Regulation B. Financial institutions are expected to incorporate the risks associated with non-work authorized borrowers into their underwriting, account management, credit classification, allowance analysis, and compliance processes while remaining consistent with applicable consumer protection laws. The guidance applies to all national banks, federal savings associations, federal branches and agencies, and community banks.
For further information, financial institutions may contact Enice Thomas, Deputy Comptroller for Credit Risk, at 202-649-5420.
**Reference:** Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, OCC Bulletin 2026-31, July 13, 2026, available at: https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2026/bulletin-2026-31.html