American Access to Banking Act
Introduced Jul 17, 2025 by Rep. Maxine Waters
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill requires federal financial regulators to review and streamline the application process for the formation of de novo, or new, depository institutions or credit unions.
Regulators must (1) review the application process; (2) to the extent practicable, collect necessary information from other agencies in order to minimize requests for applicant information; and (3) review how de novo financial intuitions raise capital while maintaining investor protections, including the impact of restrictions on raising capital.
At the request of an applicant, regulators must (1) designate an employee as a caseworker to assist in the application process, and (2) provide a list of similar institutions interested in serving as a mentor.
Each regulator must also develop a state and stakeholder engagement plan to assist interested parties with understanding the relevant regulatory processes.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
- May 21, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- May 20, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- May 20, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
- May 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
- May 20, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
- May 19, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- May 19, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
- May 19, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
- May 19, 2026Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 8, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.
- Sep 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
- Jul 23, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- Jul 23, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 22, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 17, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Jul 17, 2025Introduced in House