Legis Daily

American Access to Banking Act

USA119th CongressHR-4544| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters

Democratic Representative

California

Financial Services Committee, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The American Access to Banking Act aims to promote the formation of de novo regulated institutions , such as new banks and credit unions, by directing federal financial regulatory agencies to streamline their application processes. These agencies must review and simplify application forms, and where practicable, gather necessary information from other federal sources to reduce the burden on applicants. Additionally, the bill requires consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission to analyze how de novo institutions raise capital, considering both general restrictions and those affecting non-accredited investors. To further support new institutions, the bill mandates that agencies designate a caseworker for applicants upon request, providing tutorials and serving as a primary point of contact throughout the application process. It also establishes a program for mentor-protege partnerships , connecting new applicants with recently approved institutions for advice. Furthermore, agencies must develop comprehensive engagement plans to consult with state regulators and various stakeholders, including rural institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, to identify reforms and provide guidance and training.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 22, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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
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.
May 19, 2026
Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 19, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
May 19, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
May 19, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
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 20, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
May 20, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
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).
View Vote
May 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 21, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  • July 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • July 22, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • July 23, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.


  • July 23, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 8, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.


  • September 8, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.


  • May 19, 2026
    Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • May 19, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)


  • May 19, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • May 19, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.


  • 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 20, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)


  • May 20, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • 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).
    View Vote


  • May 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 21, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Finance and Financial Sector

Banking and financial institutions regulationFinancial services and investmentsIntergovernmental relationsLicensing and registrationsState and local government operations

American Access to Banking Act

USA119th CongressHR-4544| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
The American Access to Banking Act aims to promote the formation of de novo regulated institutions , such as new banks and credit unions, by directing federal financial regulatory agencies to streamline their application processes. These agencies must review and simplify application forms, and where practicable, gather necessary information from other federal sources to reduce the burden on applicants. Additionally, the bill requires consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission to analyze how de novo institutions raise capital, considering both general restrictions and those affecting non-accredited investors. To further support new institutions, the bill mandates that agencies designate a caseworker for applicants upon request, providing tutorials and serving as a primary point of contact throughout the application process. It also establishes a program for mentor-protege partnerships , connecting new applicants with recently approved institutions for advice. Furthermore, agencies must develop comprehensive engagement plans to consult with state regulators and various stakeholders, including rural institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, to identify reforms and provide guidance and training.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 22, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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
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.
May 19, 2026
Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 19, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
May 19, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
May 19, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
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 20, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
May 20, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
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).
View Vote
May 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 21, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  • July 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • July 22, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • July 23, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.


  • July 23, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • September 8, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.


  • September 8, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.


  • May 19, 2026
    Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • May 19, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)


  • May 19, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • May 19, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.


  • 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 20, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)


  • May 20, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • 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).
    View Vote


  • May 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 21, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters

Democratic Representative

California

Financial Services Committee, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Finance and Financial Sector

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Banking and financial institutions regulationFinancial services and investmentsIntergovernmental relationsLicensing and registrationsState and local government operations