资料：In the United States of America, banks are categorized into the federally-chartered bank which received their charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency（OCC）; these are referred to as “National Banks”; and also the states-chartered banks which receive their charter from the superintendent to as “State Banks”. Banks are allowed to register either with the federal or the state authority. Let us now look at the organizational structure of Commercial Banks, which include unit banking, group banking and branch banking.

The main characteristic of unit banking is that it can operate only a single full service bank from a single location. Unit banking institutions are not allowed to have branch networks. However, unit banking does not necessarily have to be small. In fact, many unit banks are quite large.

Group banking refers to banking operations conducted by a corporation owning more than one bank. The group banking system usually exists in the states where branch banking is prohibited.

As for branching, it is sometimes referred to “limited branching” or “stateside branching”. Limited branching allows bank to operate branches within geographic territories authorized by the state law. Stateside branching implies that bank branches are allowed to operate anywhere within the state. New York State, California, Florida and some others are stateside branch banking areas which Minnesota, Arkansas, lower and others are limited branching areas.

In the United States, there are also specialized banks including the Edge Act Banks, the international Banking Facility, the bankers’ banks, the saving banks, the savings and loans associations, the credit unions and government owned and the Real Estate Investment Trust （TEIT）.

There are also non-bank financial institutions in the USA, including the securities firms, the leasing and commercial finance companies, the mortgage bankers and the Real Estate Investment Trust （REIT）.

Let us now look at the Federal System. Commonly known as the Federal Reserve Bank or the “Fed”, this is the Central Bank of the United States founded in 1913. It determines the reserve requirement within limits set by the US Congress. The function of the Fed is economic stabilization through the management of the nation’s money supply. The Federal Reserve System comprises a board of governors with 7 members stationed in Washington D.C Reserve Banks, including Boston，New York City, Dallas and San Francisco.

The Federal Reserve Act（FRA）1913 set out the powers of the Fed which, on top of the regular central bank’s objectives, emphasize the following.

i.Managing the monetary system and money supply of the USA;

ii.Providing funds as the lender of last report;

iii.Providing for an efficient cherub clearing system;

iiii.Providing a rigorous banking supervision system.

What is the charting authority of the USA for banks?（ ）

• A.FRA
• B.Laws of states
• C.Fed
• D.OCC