About the OCC:

William L. Trenholm
Comptroller of the Currency, 1886 - 1889

William L. Trenholm, a Confederate Army veteran, was the first Democrat and first Southerner to be appointed Comptroller. Placed in office by President Cleveland, he was known for the large number of changes he recommended in the banking laws. Some, such as the provision that banks could change name and location without an act of Congress, were adopted. Other recommendations influenced later legislation, including the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Trenholm resigned to become president of a large insurance company and later served as president of a trust company.

Comptrollers of the Currency

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency was created by Congress to charter national banks, to oversee a nationwide system of banking institutions, and to assure that national banks are safe and sound, competitive and profitable, and capable of serving in the best possible manner the banking needs of their customers.