HR 4544 United States House · 119th Congress

American Access to Banking Act

HR 4544, the American Access to Banking Act, aims to streamline the approval process for new banks and credit unions (called "de novo regulated institutions") seeking federal oversight. It requires federal banking agencies to simplify application forms, minimize duplicate information requests, assign dedicated caseworkers to guide applicants, and create mentorship programs pairing new applicants with recently approved institutions. The bill also mandates agencies to develop state and stakeholder engagement plans, including regular consultations with state regulators and community-focused institutions like rural banks and minority depository institutions. These changes directly affect new financial institutions navigating federal approval, particularly those serving underserved communities, by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jul 17, 2025 Last action May 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 3 edits · May 20, 2026

MINOR

The Engrossed version of HR 4544 adds a new Section 7 that reduces the Federal Reserve's discretionary surplus fund by $24 million effective September 1, 2036. It also narrows the reporting requirement in two sections from submitting to 'the Congress' generally to specific committees (House Financial Services and Senate Banking). A minor wording change removes 'simplifying and' before 'streamlining' in Section 2(a)(1).

FISCAL

New Section 7 reduces the dollar amount under section 7(a)(3)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act by $24,000,000, effective September 1, 2036. This is a fiscal provision that was not present in the originally introduced version.

ENFORCEMENT

Section 2(b) and Section 5(b)(1) now require reports to be submitted specifically to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, rather than to 'the Congress' generally. This narrows the designated recipients.

TECHNICAL

Section 2(a)(1) changed from 'simplifying and streamlining' to just 'streamlining,' a minor wording adjustment with no substantive policy impact.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2026

How they voted

405–4

Passed · 21 other

Total votes 430

May 20, 2026

D Democratic212

205 Yea 7

96% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican217

199 Yea 4 Nay 14

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 21, 2026

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

upper

May 20, 2026

Introduced

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).

lower

May 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed/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).

lower

May 19, 2026

Introduced

Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Sep 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.

lower

Jul 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

lower

Jul 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors