Passed House. Latest step, May 21, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The House passed it 405–4. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 6 new provisions of its own.
How this bill changes the law
Sourced
H.R. 4544 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 6 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (May 21, 2026).
adds
changes words
removes or repeals
renumbers
Dashed lines: proposed, not law.
H.R. 4544Bill
Sec. 2Streamlining application process and review of capital raising by de novo regulated institutionsnew law
Sec. 3Improving communication with de novo regulated institutionsnew law
Sec. 4De Novo Mentor-Protégé partnershipsnew law
Sec. 5State and stakeholder engagement plannew law
Sec. 6Definitionsnew law
Sec. 7Discretionary Surplus Fundnew law
New provisions of the bill's own
Sec. 2 Streamlining application process and review of capital raising by de novo regulated institutions
Sec. 3 Improving communication with de novo regulated institutions
Sec. 4 De Novo Mentor-Protégé partnerships
Sec. 5 State and stakeholder engagement plan
Sec. 6 Definitions
Sec. 7 Discretionary Surplus Fund
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)
Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
Sourced
American Access to Banking Act
This bill requires federal financial regulators to review and streamline the application process for the formation of de novo, or new, depository institutions or credit unions.
Regulators must (1) review the application process; (2) to the extent practicable, collect necessary information from other agencies in order to minimize requests for applicant information; and (3) review how de novo financial intuitions raise capital while maintaining investor protections, including the impact of restrictions on raising capital.
At the request of an applicant, regulators must (1) designate an employee as a caseworker to assist in the application process, and (2) provide a list of similar institutions interested in serving as a mentor.
Each regulator must also develop a state and stakeholder engagement plan to assist interested parties with understanding the relevant regulatory processes.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 17, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
Sourced
May 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
Sep 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.Library of Congress
Jul 17, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress