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STRATEGIC ADVISORY

Bank Charter Program

Delays are expensive. Your preparation is an investment.

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The Legal and consulting costs for a
de novo charter can exceed $1 million.

With that much at stake, getting it right the first time matters.

Many FinTechs file before they are approvable. We identify issues early, build what’s missing and prepare an application that withstands regulatory scrutiny.

Get a Free Readiness Snapshot

Our OCC and state reviews focus on:

  • Demonstrated BSA/AML (not decks)
  • U.S.-credible board & management (banking + fiduciary when trust)
  • Capital & earnings realism
  • Product-specific supervisory experience
  • Operating model that survives field investigation

The best time to uncover a charter problem is before it becomes an application problem.

Whether you're evaluating charter options or preparing to file, starting early gives you more time to close leadership, governance, capital and control gaps without putting your application timeline at risk.
See Where You Stand

OUR PLAYBOOK

Guiding Your Investment from Start to Finish

From the first readiness check through regulatory response, the same team stays engaged with you the entire way.

Our four-stage playbook identifies issues early, turns them into a clear action plan and provides actual hands-on support throughout the whole application process.*

1

Finding Your Starting Line

We assess your current state and identify gaps that could create regulatory concerns, delays or costly rework.

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DELIVERABLES

  • Gap Memo
  • Red/Amber/Green Scoring
  • Priority Fixes

2

Charting Your Course

We define the charter path, workstreams, ownership and 90/180-day plan, including how you will present your story to regulators.

DELIVERABLES

  • Charter Operations Memo
  • RACI Model
  • Budget & Timeline
  • Risk Register

3

Making the Climb

Our operators work alongside your team to address the identified gaps and build the leadership, governance, compliance and operating foundation behind your application.

DELIVERABLES

  • Policy Set Outline
  • Org Chart and Management Slate
  • BSA Program Plan
  • Vendor/Core Map
  • Board Calendar

4

Taking Your Final Steps

We work alongside management and specialized banking counsel to support application inputs, coordinate requirements and respond to regulator questions.

DELIVERABLES

  • Business Plan Inputs
  • Application Checklist
  • Q&A War-Room Support with Counsel

ONLINE ASSESSMENT

We Make it Easy to Start Right Now

Our free Charter Trust Snapshot provides you with an instant view of where your organization stands and puts a clear, downloadable action plan in your hands that you can act on today.

Fintech Charter Readiness Snapshot: SolomonEdwards

Fintech Charter Readiness Snapshot

9 questions that provide you with an instant readiness snapshot and top next steps toward an OCC or state charter.

Estimated time to complete: ~2 minutes

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Your responses will be included with your submission so a SolomonEdwards advisor can better understand your results.
READINESS LEVEL

Charter Readiness Level

Your Top Next Steps

Based on your responses, here's where to focus first.

Want a deeper look?

A brief scoping conversation can turn this snapshot into a concrete plan and timeline.

Book a 30-Min Consultation Send Me More Info

No cost. No commitment.

SolomonEdwards · Fintech Banking & Trust This snapshot is an informal, self-reported estimate for planning purposes only and does not constitute regulatory or legal advice. www.solomonedwards.com

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PATHWAYS

The Right Answers Regardless of Charter Path

Fortunately, our experienced operators and former regulators know what each charter path requires,
so you can avoid the costly pitfalls that come with it.

OCC

National
Bank

Operation as a national bank

Hidden Complexity

Requires experienced banking leadership, a credible BSA/AML program, capital planning and operational controls.

How We Help

  • Build the Management and Board Slate
  • Establish BSA/AML Ownership and Oversight
  • Develop the capital plan and narrative
  • Put required policies and controls in place

OCC

National
Trust Bank

Trust and fiduciary activities

Hidden Complexity

Requires specialized fiduciary leadership, governance and controls

How We Help

  • Define Fiduciary Roles and Accountability
  • Build the Trust Governance Structure
  • Establish Custody and Safeguarding Controls
  • Put Fiduciary Policies and Oversight in Place

STATE

State Trust Bank /
Trust Company

Operation under a specific state

Hidden Complexity

Requirements can vary greatly depending on jurisdiction and business model

How We Help

  • Map Your Model to State Requirements
  • Identify Jurisdiction-specific Gaps
  • Build the Required Governance and Leadership Structure
  • Prepare Policies and Supporting Application Materials

Your Application Is Filed. Now Scrutiny Gets Real.

Submitting your application is a major milestone, but it’s far from the finish line.

As regulators evaluate everything from your business plan to your operating model and more, questions will surface and expectations will become more specific. The strength and consistency of your responses can have a direct impact on the path forward.

5 FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

What Regulators Are Really Testing

A strong application tells regulators what you intend to do. The review process tests whether your organization is truly prepared to do it. That scrutiny often comes down to these questions:

1

Is your leadership credible?

Does the board and management team have the banking, fiduciary and product-specific experience required?

2

Can your organization manage its risk?

Are BSA/AML, compliance and risk capabilities operational instead of simply documented?

3

Does your business model hold together?

Are capital, earnings assumptions and proposed activities realistic and aligned?

4

Can your operating model withstand scrutiny?

Do technology, vendors, controls and governance support what your application promises?

5

Can your management respond effectively?

Can your organization demonstrate command of its plan when regulators probe beneath the documentation?

WHAT MATTERS NOW

Navigating the Waters of Regulatory Review

Regulators need confidence that your organization can execute everything you’ve documented.

At this stage, we help maintain alignment across your application, management team and evolving operating model while responding quickly and credibly to regulatory questions through these core workstreams:

Keeping the process moving

We help management coordinate regulator information requests and develop clear, consistent responses in collaboration with specialized banking counsel.

DELIVERABLES

  • Field Investigation Readiness
  • Additional Information Request Support
  • Interview Preparation
  • Response Coordination
  • Application Updates & Supporting Materials

Addressing concerns before
they become roadblocks

As questions or issues emerge, our operators help determine what needs to change and turn regulatory feedback into actionable remediation.

DELIVERABLES

  • Governance Enhancements
  • Risk and Compliance Program Buildout
  • Policy and Procedure Enhancement
  • Control Design

Maintaining momentum while your application advances

We work alongside your team to continue building the people, processes, technology and controls needed to operate successfully.

DELIVERABLES

Regulatory confidence is built in the details.

We help turn regulatory questions into forward progress, closing the gaps and strengthening the programs, controls and operating model that support your charter.

It's Time to Bring Your Institution to Life

Congratulations on your approval! Now the real work begins. 

Time to transition from planning an institution to operating one. The people, processes, technology and governance envisioned throughout the charter journey now have to come together as a functioning organization. 

FROM BLUEPRINT TO BUSINESS

How We Turn Your Operating Model Into Reality

Your next challenge is activating the framework you’ve established. SolomonEdwards helps turn organizational designs, policies, systems and controls into the everyday capabilities your people need to operate your business effectively.

Leadership and Governance

Governance

Deep Banking Expertise

Providing established industry leaders

Talent Assessment

Talent

Regulatory-Ready Leadership

Experienced regulatory leaders at the ready

Risk Management Design

Risk

Financial Crimes Operations

Ensuring protection for your new bank

OPERATIONALIZING YOUR VISION

Building Upon Your Foundation

  • Teams take ownership.
  • Systems go live.
  • Controls are tested.
  • Regulators expect results.

We work alongside your teams to turn the pieces you’ve put in place into an operating environment that actually works.

Putting your team in motion

Your org chart is about to get a lot more real. Roles need owners, teams need direction and governance needs to become part of how decisions actually get made.

CAPABILITIES

  • Talent Support
  • Governance & Board Readiness
  • Program & Project Management

Making it Work in the Real World

We work alongside your team to continue building the people, processes, technology and controls needed to operate successfully.

CAPABILITIES

Keeping your institution strong as the Business Evolves

We help maintain and strengthen the risk, compliance and operating disciplines that allow your teams to identify issues early, adapt to change and keep the business performing as intended.

CAPABILITIES

  • Enterprise Risk & Controls
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Financial Crimes & AML
  • Data, Technology & AI Governance
  • Controls Testing & QA

Following through on the commitments that got you here

We help manage follow-through, allowing your team to demonstrate that your post-approval commitments are being addressed as intended

CAPABILITIES

  • Conditions of Approval Response
  • Regulatory Commitment Tracking
  • Evidence & Documentation Support
  • Regulatory Response Coordination

We stay with you as your institution evolves.

Once you're operating, the new decisions don't stop coming. Our strategic advisory combines deep technical expertise with high-touch execution to both determine what comes next and make it happen.
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FREE ASSESSMENTS

There's no 'grace period' after approval

That’s why our team built these free online readiness assessments to instantly pinpoint your exposure and guide you through immediate actions across financial crimes, AI, banking technology and more.

AI ASSESSMENT

AI Governance Assessment

Evaluate how prepared your institution is to govern artificial intelligence across Board oversight, tool inventory, independent validation, ongoing monitoring, third-party risk and regulatory change.

Start the Assessment

FINANCIAL CRIMES ASSESSMENT

Digital Asset & Stablecoin Readiness Assessment

Evaluate your institution’s current readiness to engage in digital asset and stablecoin activities across governance, compliance, risk management, operational controls, and third-party oversight.

Start the Assessment

FINANCIAL CRIMES ASSESSMENT

AI Fraud Prevention Readiness Assessment

Evaluate your institution’s current readiness to detect, prevent, and respond to fraud in an environment reshaped by artificial intelligence, including deepfakes, synthetic identities, AI-generated social engineering, model risk, and vendor oversight.

Start the Assessment

Strategic Advisory

A dedicated team of experienced banking leaders without the cost or commitment of building every capability in-house.

Explore Our Services

OUR SOLUTIONS

Skip the Second-Guessing

Instead, get experienced banking advisors that are always within reach:

Advisory

Financial Crimes

Regulatory Risk

Results in Action

We’ve been there, solved that. See how we’ve helped our clients strengthen compliance, improve reporting accuracy and enable smarter, faster growth.

Fractional C-Suite Leadership and Strategic Transformation Support for Regional Financial Institutions

A regional financial institution facing executive vacancies and complex transformation agendas engaged SolomonEdwards to provide fractional C-suite leadership across the President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff functions to help drive strategic prioritization, technology optimization and organizational readiness.
Read Full Case Study

Accelerating SOX 404(b) Readiness Following an Acquisition

Read Case Study

Scaling Nationwide Mortgage Fulfillment Operations Through a High-Performance Workforce Partnership

Read Case Study

Enhancing Internal Audit Testing and Regulatory Readiness

Read Case Study

Our Charter Experts

Bring experienced banking operators and former regulators directly into the process, including professionals with de novo, banking, payments, fiduciary, custody and digital asset experience.
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Prescott Ford, CFA

Principal, Banking & Financial Services

Meredith Rousseau

Senior Vice President, Banking & Financial Services

John Zazzera

Principal

Insights From Our Experts

Fintech’s Next Frontier: Securing the Trust Charter Advantage in the Era of Stablecoin Regulation

WHITE PAPER

Regulatory Risk Management as a Strategic Discipline

by Prescott Ford

 

How strategic management of regulatory risk transforms burden into revenue opportunity and why financial institutions cannot afford to be passive

Results in Action

We’ve been there, solved that. See how we’ve helped our clients strengthen compliance, improve reporting accuracy and enable smarter, faster growth.

Building a First Line of Defense Testing Capability

A high-growth digital bank lacked a structured First Line of Defense testing capability ahead of a critical regulatory milestone. We partnered with the bank's Digital Banking Risk, Compliance, and Operations teams to build their testing framework, test plans, scripts, and reusable workpapers from the ground up.
Read Full Case Study

BSA/AML Risk Assessment & Compliance Training

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Rapid Compliance Support for a Significant Banking Acquisition

Read Case Study

Building a Stronger Compliance Training Framework for Insider Risk Management

Read Case Study
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