Bank Buyouts Alert: Fed Eyes New Control Seekers

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.

2026-15777, Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders of Member Banks; Bank Holding Companies

The Board is inviting public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation O, which governs loans by member banks to their insiders and insiders of their affiliates. The proposed amendments would update and modernize the regulation, increase transparency by clarifying requirements and incorporating existing interpretations, and promote efficiency by reducing regulatory burden. The proposed amendments also would incorporate existing statutory requirements that are not currently reflected in the regulation. Moreover, the proposed amendments would update several outdated dollar-based thresholds in Regulation O and index these thresholds going forward. In addition, the proposed amendments would address the application of Regulation O to member banks that lend to companies that are presumed to be controlled by large asset management companies through passive investment funds. Finally, the proposed amendments would revise and reorganize the regulation to streamline the text and make it more accessible.

2026-15774, Regulatory Modernization and Relief for Mutual Holding Companies

The Board invites comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposal) to modernize the regulatory framework applicable to mutual holding companies (MHCs), primarily through proposed revisions to Regulation MM (12 CFR part 239), which governs the formation, operations, activities, and conversion of savings and loan holding companies in mutual form. The proposal would amend Regulation MM by, among other things, eliminating certain dividend waiver requirements, reducing burden associated with conversions from mutual-to-stock form, revising certain post-conversion restrictions, eliminating the requirement that subsidiary holding companies of MHCs obtain federal charters, and revising and clarifying other provisions of the regulation. The proposal also would amend the capital rule (12 CFR part 217) to clarify that certain mutual capital instruments may qualify as regulatory capital and to codify model term sheets for mutual capital certificates as appendices to the regulation.

2026-14373, Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies

Some companies want to become bank holding companies or buy banks, and the Federal Reserve is checking their applications. If you have thoughts, you can send comments by August 17, 2026. This affects banks and their owners, and the process helps keep banking safe and fair.

2026-14060, Inflation Adjustments for Civil Money Penalties

The Federal Reserve announced that civil money penalties won’t go up in 2026 because inflation data wasn’t available due to a government shutdown. This means businesses and individuals facing these penalties will see the same amounts as in 2025. The freeze keeps things steady until new inflation numbers come in next year.

2026-14064, Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies

Some companies want to become bank holding companies or buy banks, and the Federal Reserve is reviewing their applications. If you have thoughts, you can send comments by August 12, 2026. This affects banks, their owners, and the public, with no direct costs but important changes in who controls banks.

Previous: 2025-21667, Agency Information Collection Activity: Request for Details of Expenses

The Department of Veterans Affairs is asking for public feedback on their form that collects expense details to help decide pension eligibility. This is a routine extension with no changes, so veterans and applicants should expect the same process to continue. Comments are open until January 30, 2026, and there’s no new cost or extra paperwork burden planned.

Next: 2025-21671, Notice of Product Exclusion Extensions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

The U.S. Trade Representative is extending 178 product exclusions from extra tariffs on certain Chinese goods until November 9, 2026. This means businesses importing these products won’t face new duties for almost a year, helping keep costs down. If you’re involved in tech, solar, or other affected industries, this extension gives you more time to plan without surprise fees.