national bank

American  

noun

1. a bank chartered by the U.S. government and formerly authorized to issue notes that served as money.

2. a bank owned and administered by the government, as in some European countries.

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national bank British  

noun

1. (in the US) a commercial bank incorporated under a Federal charter and legally required to be a member of the Federal Reserve System Compare state bank

2. a bank owned and operated by a government

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Etymology

Origin of national bank

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

Revolut competes with traditional banks for retail and business customers and has recently applied for a national bank charter in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which oversees national bank charters, confirmed the approval of Erebor’s charter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

SoFi suspended the service in 2023 as a condition of receiving a national bank charter.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

It faces a slowing economy and modest growth, according to a Tuesday report from Denmark’s national bank External link.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

His model was England, with its national bank, regulated commerce, and powerful finance ministers.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis