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HR 4544 119th Congress House Finance and Financial Sector

American Access to Banking Act

Introduced: July 17, 2025 Introduced by: Waters, Maxine Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
May 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2026
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, 2026
Passed/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, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
May 19, 2026
At 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, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
May 19, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
May 19, 2026
Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 8, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.
Sep 8, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
Jul 23, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
Jul 23, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 22, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

American Access to Banking Act

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.

What's happening now May 21, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.