[Report No. 119–535]
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
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Merger Agreement Approvals Clarity and Predictability Act
.
Sec. 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).