Banks Plot Mergers: Fed Calls for Public Commentary
Published Date: 1/26/2026
Notice
Summary
Bank companies want to join forces, buy, or merge with other banks, and the Federal Reserve is checking their applications. If you’re involved with these companies or just curious, you can share your thoughts by February 25, 2026. These moves could change who controls certain banks and might affect money flow in your community.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Federal Reserve Reviewing Bank Deals
The Federal Reserve is reviewing applications under the Bank Holding Company Act and Regulation Y for companies that want to form, acquire, or merge with bank holding companies or banks. These applications seek approval to acquire ownership, control, or voting power of banks and related nonbank companies.
Public Comment, Deadline, and Disclosure
Anyone may submit written comments on these applications, and comments must be received by February 25, 2026. Comments are subject to public disclosure and will generally be made available without change, so you should not include confidential contact or business information in your submission.
Burke & Herbert Proposed LinkBank Purchase
Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, has applied to acquire LINKBANCORP, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire LINKBANK of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. This specific application is listed for public inspection and comment under the Federal Reserve review process.
Application Materials Available to Public
The public portions of the applications and related filings are available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated in each notice and at the Board of Governors' offices, and can also be requested via the Board's Freedom of Information Office at https://www.federalreserve.gov/foia/request.htm.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-15774, 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.
2026-15777, 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.
2026-14373, 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.
2026-14064, 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.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01425, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
Some folks want to buy or keep big chunks of banks or bank companies, and the Federal Reserve is checking their plans to make sure everything’s fair and safe. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until February 10, 2026, to speak up! This process helps keep banks steady and protects everyone’s money.
Next: 2026-01427, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Education Reservation Request Form
The National Park Service wants to keep using its Education Reservation Request Form just like before—no changes! This affects teachers, students, and groups planning educational visits to parks. They’re asking for your thoughts by February 25, 2026, but there’s no new cost or extra paperwork coming your way.