Fed Reviews Bank Holding Company Mergers and Formations
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Notice
Summary
Some companies want to become or change their status as bank holding companies by buying or merging with banks. If you’re involved with these banks or just curious, you can share your thoughts by April 25, 2025. These changes might affect how these banks operate and could involve money moves, so keep an eye out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Public comment period open
You can submit written comments about the listed bank holding company applications to the Federal Reserve or the indicated Reserve Banks. Comments must be received not later than April 25, 2025 and may be inspected at the Reserve Bank or the Board offices.
Comments are publicly disclosed
Comments submitted on these applications are subject to public disclosure and "will be made available without change" including personal or business contact or identifying information. The notice warns commenters not to include confidential information that would be inappropriate for public disclosure.
Lake Shore conversion filing (Dunkirk, NY)
Lake Shore, MHC of Dunkirk, New York applied to convert from mutual to stock form; Lake Shore Savings Bank will convert to a commercial bank to be renamed Lake Shore Bank and become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new corporation that has applied to become a bank holding company. This application is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and comments are due April 25, 2025.
Capra Financial to become bank holding company (Dubuque, IA)
Capra Financial, Inc. has applied to become a bank holding company by acquiring Capra Bank, both located in Dubuque, Iowa. The application and related filings are available at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and comments must be received by April 25, 2025.
Orion Bancorporation merger filing (IL and IA)
Orion Bancorporation, Inc., Orion, Illinois, filed to merge with Mechanicsville Bancshares, Inc., Mechanicsville, Iowa, and thereby indirectly acquire Bridge Community Bank in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The filings are on public inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and comments are due April 25, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08298, Regulatory Capital Rule: Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework
Starting July 1, 2026, community banks get a break! The minimum leverage ratio drops from 9% to 8%, making it easier for smaller banks to meet rules. Plus, banks can now stay in this easier framework longer—up to four straight quarters instead of two—helping them manage their money better without rushing.
2026-05960, Regulatory Capital Rules: Regulatory Capital and Standardized Approach for Risk-Weighted Assets
Big banks and community banks are getting new rules to better measure the risks in their loans and investments. The changes update how banks count certain assets and income when figuring out their safety net money, called regulatory capital. These updates aim to make banks safer and smarter with their money, with some rules kicking in soon and affecting how much capital banks need to hold.
2025-21626, Regulatory Capital Rule: Modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio Standards for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies and Their Subsidiary Depository Institutions; Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity and Long-Term Debt Requirements for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies
Big U.S. banks that are super important to the economy are getting new rules to keep them safer and stronger. These changes tweak how much money they must keep on hand and how they handle long-term debt, helping prevent financial trouble. The new rules kick in soon and could affect how these banks manage billions in assets and debt.
2025-21625, Regulatory Capital Rule: Revisions to the Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework
The government wants to make it easier for small banks to stay in a special low-risk capital program by lowering the required leverage ratio from 9% to 8%. They’re also giving banks more time—up to four quarters instead of two—to fix any issues without losing their spot. Banks and bank holding companies should weigh in by January 30, 2026, as these changes could save them money and reduce red tape.
2026-20668, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
If you want to buy shares in a bank or bank holding company, you need to tell the Federal Reserve first. They check to make sure everything’s fair and safe before you can take control. If you’re interested, you have until October 23, 2026, to share your thoughts or concerns about these deals.
2026-20509, Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks: Bank Holding Companies
The Federal Reserve is updating rules about loans to bank insiders like executives and big shareholders to make things clearer and fairer. They’re giving everyone more time—until November 4, 2026—to share their thoughts on these changes. This affects banks and their top people, aiming to boost transparency and keep things running smoothly.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05133, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The National Labor Relations Board is officially retiring two old record systems and fully switching to a new, smarter system called NLRB-37 to handle public information requests. This change affects anyone who asks for federal records from the NLRB and helps the agency work faster and cleaner. The update is already in effect, with no extra costs or delays expected.
Next: 2025-05136, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is updating how it handles Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests by creating a new electronic system called NLRB-37. This change affects anyone who asks for information from the NLRB and replaces two older systems. Comments on this update are open until April 25, 2025, and the new system will start right after unless changes are needed.