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Financial Markets

Financial Markets include any place or system that provides buyers and sellers the means to trade financial instruments, including bonds, equities, the various international currencies, and derivatives. Financial markets facilitate the interaction between those who need capital with those who have capital to invest. In addition to making it possible to raise capital, financial markets allow participants to transfer risk (generally through derivatives) and promote commerce.

Although regulations and best practices guide financial market transactions, these transactions entail a certain degree of risk. The OCC provides guidance and resources for national banks engaged in financial market activities.

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Related News and Issuances

DateIDTitle
03/19/2026 OCC 2026-9 Regulatory Capital: Category I and II Banking Organizations, Banking Organizations With Significant Trading Activity, and Optional Adoption for Other Banking Organizations
03/19/2026 OCC 2026-8 Regulatory Capital: Standardized Approach for Risk-Weighted Assets
12/19/2025 NR 2025-132 OCC Reports Third Quarter 2025 Bank Trading Revenue