hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Raises asset threshold for less frequent bank examinations.
Senators Budd, Kim, Kennedy, and Alsobrooks introduced.
Introduced in the Senate, referred to committee.
This bill proposes to change how often federal agencies examine certain banks. It allows banks with assets up to $6 billion (instead of the current $3 billion) to be examined every 18 months instead of every 12 months, provided they meet other criteria. It was introduced by Senators Budd, Kim, Kennedy, and Alsobrooks and has been sent to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee for review.
Introduced Feb 11, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on February 11, 2026, and immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Before it can become law, the committee must approve it, and then the full Senate would need to vote on it. If it passes the Senate, it would then move to the House of Representatives for their consideration and vote, and finally, to the President for signature.
If this bill becomes law, federal banking agencies would be able to examine certain insured banks with total assets between $3 billion and $6 billion every 18 months, rather than the current 12 months. This change would apply to institutions that are considered well-managed and well-capitalized. For these banks, it could mean slightly reduced administrative work and costs associated with more frequent regulatory examinations.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue it reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens on smaller, well-managed financial institutions.
Critics Say
Critics might suggest less frequent examinations could lead to reduced oversight or increased financial risk for these banks.
Those in favor believe that by increasing the asset threshold, the bill would provide regulatory relief to a larger number of community banks, allowing them to focus more resources on serving their customers rather than on compliance. Opponents may counter that maintaining more frequent examinations ensures continuous oversight, which is crucial for financial stability and protecting depositors, regardless of a bank's size within the specified range.