Failing Bank Acquisition Fairness Act
Introduced Dec 10, 2025 by Rep. Stephen F. Lynch
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill tightens restrictions on certain waivers granted by federal financial regulators to companies that acquire insured depository institutions. Under current law, a regulator may not approve an acquisition if it would result in an institution exceeding a set concentration limit (i.e., controlling more than 10% of total insured U.S. deposits). This may be waived if one or more of the institutions involved is in default or in danger of default or if the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is providing certain assistance.
In addition to these requirements, the bill requires the regulator to determine that (1) the merger is necessary to prevent significant economic disruption or financial instability, and (2) FDIC has not received a qualified bid from a company not subject to this concentration limit.
The bill also provides capitalization and management standards for qualified bids.
Regulators that waive these concentration limits must report to Congress on the circumstances and justification of the waiver.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Jul 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Jul 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4438-4440)
- Jul 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- Jul 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6556.
- Jul 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4438-4441)
- Jul 14, 2026Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Feb 2, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 406.
- Feb 2, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-475.
- Dec 17, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
- Dec 17, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Dec 16, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Dec 10, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Dec 10, 2025Introduced in House