Statement on Proposed Changes to Bank Mergers

“Today’s announcement from Acting Comptroller Hsu on bank mergers offers an important opportunity to update this critical policy area. ABA has long supported making regulatory processes and standards clear and transparent. At the same time, regulators should ensure that the scope of required application information is tailored to each bank’s specific circumstances.  In addition, bank mergers should not be evaluated based on arbitrary asset thresholds – regulators must consider holistically financial, competitive, managerial and other relevant factors involving banks of any size. The key objective of this initiative should be timely, efficient decisions on mergers under clear standards and with a transparent process. We look forward to coordinated action by bank regulators and the Department of Justice to complete the update of the competitive factors aspects of the bank merger guidelines.”