On April 16, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood delivered a speech and outlined his strategic focus areas since assuming the role two months ago. Hood emphasized the OCC’s mission to ensure a safe, sound and fair federal banking system. He highlighted four key priorities: (i) reducing regulatory burden; (ii) promoting financial inclusion; (iii) embracing bank-fintech partnerships; and (iv) expanding responsible bank activities involving digital assets. Hood stressed the importance of effective, not excessive, regulation, advocating for a risk-based approach tailored to each bank’s specific circumstances. He identified financial inclusion as a critical civil rights issue, noting the launch of Project REACh to address gaps in financial service access. Hood also underscored the necessity of innovation in the digital age, pointing to the OCC’s initiatives like regulatory sandboxes and “TechSprints” to foster responsible bank-fintech collaborations. Finally, he addressed the growing significance of digital assets, affirming the OCC’s guidance for banks to engage in digital asset activities safely and soundly.