American Access to Banking Act
This bill aims to make starting a new bank or credit union less complicated, with focused support for rural areas and minority-led lenders. Federal regulators would streamline application forms, assign dedicated caseworkers to guide organizers through the approval process, and pair applicants with mentors from recently opened institutions. Agencies would also review rules to see if startup banks can more easily raise money from everyday, non-wealthy investors, with the bill's administrative costs offset by trimming a Federal Reserve fund starting in 2036.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Applicants for new banks and credit unionsGain streamlined application procedures, reduced paperwork demands, access to a dedicated agency caseworker for guidance, mentorship connections with recently approved institutions, and training workshops (Sec. 2, 3, 4, and 5).
- State banking and credit union regulatorsReceive increased consultation and federal agency cooperation, including formal assistance regarding federal insurance applications for state-chartered institutions (Sec. 5(a)(1)).
Who it burdens
- Federal financial institutions regulatory agenciesRequired to review application processes, collect information from public sources to lessen applicant burden, assign dedicated caseworkers upon request, publish mentorship guidance, consult with the SEC and state regulators, and submit regular reports and plans to Congress (Sec. 2, 3, 4, and 5).
- Federal Reserve banksHave the statutory cap on their aggregate surplus capital reduced by $24 million effective September 1, 2036, restricting the amount of surplus capital they can retain (Sec. 7).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 6 provisions
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies to review application forms for new banks and credit unions, pull applicant data from existing government or public sources to reduce paperwork requests, and study capital-raising rules with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies, upon request, to designate an agency caseworker to guide organizers through the application process and serve as their primary point of contact.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies to connect new bank and credit union applicants with recently approved institutions willing to serve as volunteer mentors, and to publish directions on how to request or become a mentor.
Directs federal financial regulatory agencies to develop a public-commented plan—updated every five years—to coordinate with state regulators, consult with rural and minority-owned institutions, and provide guidance and training workshops for prospective applicants.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies to submit annual reports to Congress for five years and publish them online, detailing their efforts to streamline the new-institution application process and recommending any changes to capital-raising rules.
Reduces the statutory cap on the Federal Reserve banks' aggregate surplus capital by $24 million, starting September 1, 2036.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies to review application forms for new banks and credit unions, pull applicant data from existing government or public sources to reduce paperwork requests, and study capital-raising rules with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies, upon request, to designate an agency caseworker to guide organizers through the application process and serve as their primary point of contact.
Requires federal financial regulatory agencies to connect new bank and credit union applicants with recently approved institutions willing to serve as volunteer mentors, and to publish directions on how to request or become a mentor.
Directs federal financial regulatory agencies to develop a public-commented plan—updated every five years—to coordinate with state regulators, consult with rural and minority-owned institutions, and provide guidance and training workshops for prospective applicants.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on American Access to Banking Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 16 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
- Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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).
- 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).
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “American Access to Banking Act (H.R. 4544, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-4544. Congress.gov record as of Jul 17, 2026.