Finance
Swiss bank UBS closer to getting national bank charter for US franchise
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 15, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 19, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 15, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 19, 2026
UBS has received conditional approval for a US national bank charter, a key step in its expansion. Final approval is expected by 2026, allowing UBS to offer full banking services.
Jan 15 (Reuters) - Swiss bank UBS is a step closer to getting a national bank charter for its U.S. franchise after receiving a first conditional approval, the company said on Thursday.
"This milestone marks a significant step toward securing final approval of our National Bank Charter, reinforcing UBS's commitment to growth and strengthening our position as the premier global wealth manager in the U.S," a UBS spokesperson said.
UBS applied for a full banking licence in the United States in October in a bid to grow its wealth management business in the U.S. even as regulators in Switzerland have sought to limit its reach abroad.
The Swiss bank received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, UBS said, which is the first step in the licensing process.
The second and final approval could follow in 2026, subject to UBS fulfilling several conditions set by U.S. authorities.
If granted, UBS would be the first Swiss bank to obtain such a licence in the United States, allowing it to match the full range of services offered by U.S. banks, including checking accounts, savings accounts and mortgages.
(Reporting by Federica Mileo in Barcelona; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Wealth management is a financial advisory service that combines investment management, financial planning, and other financial services to help clients manage and grow their wealth.
Conditional approval is a preliminary approval granted by regulatory authorities, allowing a bank to proceed with certain actions, subject to meeting specific conditions.
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