H.R. 6570House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act

Introduced December 10, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 26, 2026 at 7:47 AM UTC

The Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act directs the Government Accountability Office to examine how federal regulators use commitments and conditions when reviewing merger applications involving insured banks and credit unions. The study will check whether these practices follow the law, assess their effects on safety, competition and financial stability, and report the findings to Congress within a year. It affects the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the National Credit Union Administration, as well as the banks and credit unions they oversee.

Key Provisions

  • The Comptroller General must conduct a study on the use of commitments, conditions, and related merger‑review procedures by the four federal depository‑institution regulators.
  • The study must evaluate quantitative metrics, determine if practices align with statutory requirements, and identify any influence from non‑statutory considerations.
  • It must analyze the benefits, risks, and overall impact of these merger‑review approaches on safety, soundness, financial stability, competition, and the availability of banking products and services.
  • A report containing all findings must be delivered to Congress no later than one year after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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6 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.

February 25, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 10, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

December 10, 2025

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

December 16, 2025

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

December 17, 2025

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 52 - 0.

December 17, 2025

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-535.

February 25, 2026

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.

February 25, 2026

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued February 25, 2026

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Union Calendar No. 460

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6570

[Report No. 119–535]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 10, 2025

Mr. Fitzgerald introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

February 25, 2026

Additional sponsor: Mr. Lawler

February 25, 2026

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on December 10, 2025


A BILL

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to study the use of commitments and conditions in connection with insured depository institution merger applications by Federal depository institution regulatory agencies to ensure they align with statutory requirements, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act.

2.

GAO study on use of commitments and conditions in connection with insured depository institution merger applications

(a)

Study

The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study on the use of commitments, conditions, and other aspects of merger review procedures by Federal depository institution regulatory agencies in connection with insured depository institution merger applications. The study shall—

(1)

include an evaluation of relevant quantifiable metrics;

(2)

review the extent to which the use of commitments and conditions has aligned with statutory requirements, including a review of whether the use of commitments and conditions has been influenced by extrastatutory issues or considerations;

(3)

consider the benefits and risks of utilizing different merger review approaches and procedures in compliance with the law; and

(4)

include an evaluation of the impact of such merger review procedures and resulting approved mergers on safety and soundness, financial stability, competition, and the availability of financial products and services offered by insured depository institutions.

(b)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall issue a report to Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (a).

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Application

The term application means an application, notice, or other similar request for permission submitted to a Federal depository institution regulatory agency.

(2)

Federal depository institution regulatory agency

The term Federal depository institution regulatory agency means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration Board.

(3)

Insured depository institution

The term insured depository institution—

(A)

has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); and

(B)

means an insured credit union, as defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752).

(4)

Insured depository institution merger application

The term insured depository institution merger application means an application with respect to the acquisition of an insured depository institution, its equity interests, its assets, or its deposits under—

(A)

section 10(e) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1467a(e));

(B)

section 205(b) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1785(b));

(C)

section 7(j) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j));

(D)

section 18(c)(2) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(c)(2));

(E)

section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1842); and

(F)

section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843).

February 25, 2026

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed