[dragonwriter]

> De Novo charters are available, but in very limited supply.

Is it limited supply or limited demand? While I've seen some articles pointing to higher FDIC standards, I've seen others indicating that the market conditions that are historically linked to high levels of de novo applications simply haven't existed since the crash, though there are some signs conditions are edging toward them.

> Prior to 2008, 100's were issued annually.

Prior to 2008, those new banks were almost without exception chasing the then-booming real estate loan market, whose collapse was a central element of the crash. Those hundreds annually in the years just before the crash were a symptom of the bubble that was about to burst.

[i2pi]

The standards are now much higher, which may be limiting demand. It is far less attractive to apply for a new charter when your growth is curtailed and examinations are more intense and frequent for your first _seven_ years of operation.

You're right on the prior to 2008 comment, but it was indicative that any bum and their mortgage broker could get a charter. But tech companies who are (hopefully?) less shady, can't.