H.R. 6556 Passed the House Finance and Financial Sector

Failing Bank Acquisition Fairness Act

To prohibit the use of certain concentration limit exceptions with respect to mergers involving a failed bank unless the applicable agency determines such use is necessary to prevent significant economic disruption or significant adverse effects on financial stability, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8] Introduced December 10, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 D) Latest action July 15, 2026

Summary

Failing Bank Acquisition Fairness Act
This bill tightens restrictions on certain waivers granted by federal financial regulators to companies that acquire insured depository institutions. Under current law, a regulator may not approve an acquisition if it would result in an institution exceeding a set concentration limit (i.e., controlling more than 10% of total insured U.S. deposits). This may be waived if one or more of the institutions involved is in default or in danger of default or if the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is providing certain assistance.
In addition to these requirements, the bill requires the regulator to determine that (1) the merger is necessary to prevent significant economic disruption or financial instability, and (2) FDIC has not received a qualified bid from a company not subject to this concentration limit.
The bill also provides capitalization and management standards for qualified bids.
Regulators that waive these concentration limits must report to Congress on the circumstances and justification of the waiver.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jul 15, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  2. Jul 14, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Jul 14, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4438-4440)
  4. Jul 14, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  5. Jul 14, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6556.
  6. Jul 14, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4438-4441)
  7. Jul 14, 2026 Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  8. Feb 2, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 406.
  9. Feb 2, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-475.
  10. Dec 17, 2025 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.
  11. Dec 17, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  12. Dec 16, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

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