More Bank Mergers in the Fed's Queue

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.

2025-21625, 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.

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.

2026-19900, 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 a bank holding company, you need to tell the Federal Reserve first. They’re checking applications like the one from the Honarkar Stock Trust to make sure everything’s fair and safe. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until October 14, 2026, to speak up!

2026-19899, Application Procedures for Board-Supervised Insured Depository Institutions Seeking Approval for a Subsidiary To Issue Payment Stablecoins

The Federal Reserve is setting up clear rules for banks that want to create a subsidiary to issue payment stablecoins, a type of digital money. This affects insured banks supervised by the Fed and aims to make the process smooth and safe. Banks must follow these new steps and send comments by November 30, 2026, so get ready to join the future of money!

Previous: 2026-16623, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service: Availability of a Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status and Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Early and Near-Continuous Blooming European Plum (Prunus domestica) Lines (34 plum and 157 plum)

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service seeking a determination of nonregulated status for two European plum (Prunus domestica) lines (34 plum and 157 plum) which have been developed using genetic engineering to promote early and near-continuous blooming. We are making the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment available for public review and comment.

Next: 2026-16625, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company