Merger Process Review Act

The Merger Process Review Act would require the Inspector General of each federal banking regulator to conduct a review every three years of how that regulator handles applications for bank mergers and acquisitions. These reviews would examine the timeliness and efficiency of the merger review process, identify sources of delay, and evaluate the impact of merger procedures on bank safety, financial stability, competition, and the availability of financial services. The bill has been approved by the House Financial Services Committee and is eligible for a floor vote. If enacted, this legislation would create a new oversight mechanism to ensure that federal banking agencies process merger applications consistently and without unnecessary delays, potentially affecting how quickly banks can complete acquisitions and consolidate operations.