Otting added, "The OCC will require these new entrants to the national banking system to adhere to the same high standards that apply to all national banks." Groups representing traditional financial institutions have stressed the importance of imposing the same regulatory regime for fintech firms and their institutions.

The OCC said that imposing the same standards for banks and fintech firms will help "level the playing field."

NAFCU officials said they were pleased that the OCC took that position.

"We support the concept of a special-purpose national bank charter for fintech companies," NAFCU President/CEO B. Dan Berger said. "NAFCU believes that fintech companies require a minimum level of regulation and supervision to ensure a level playing field."

The Treasury report also emphasized the need for a national standard for data breaches—something that financial institutions have been advocating.

However, that issue has been bogged down at time by a battle between House committees, each representing different interests.

The House Financial Services Committee has pushed for a standard for retailers that matches the one covering financial institutions. However, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, taking the side of retailers, has opposed such a proposal.

Groups representing financial institutions on Tuesday renewed that call, in a letter to Rep. Bob Latta, (R-Ohio), chairman of Energy and Commerce's Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

"Data security breaches continue to put millions of consumers at risk, and we share your views that protecting the sensitive personal and financial information of consumers is vitally important," the groups, including the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, CUNA and NAFCU, said in the letter.

They urged the Financial Service and Energy and Commerce Committees to work together to develop a standard that is equivalent to the standard in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which governs financial institutions.