national bank
Americannoun
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a bank chartered by the U.S. government and formerly authorized to issue notes that served as money.
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a bank owned and administered by the government, as in some European countries.
noun
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(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
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a bank owned and operated by a government
Etymology
Origin of national bank
An Americanism dating back to 1780–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first big thing the young republic needed, according to Alexander Hamilton, was a national bank.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
The decision comes as rivals in the fintech sector are looking stateside to tap into the world’s largest financial market, pursuing national bank charters to offer loans and insured deposits.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Full national bank charters come with more stringent oversight and capital requirements than trust charters, particularly for any that must become bank holding companies under the Federal Reserve.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
Denmark’s national bank reported Greenland faces a slowing economy, skilled worker shortages, and rising healthcare costs leading to a 2025 deficit.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
