2024-04-19 | 2024-08020The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has issued a proposed Statement of Policy that replaces its current merger framework with a principles-based approach to guide the approval of bank merger transactions under the Bank Merger Act. The proposal clarifies jurisdictional scope, updates statutory factor evaluations—including competitive effects, financial stability, and community convenience—and introduces a de minimis exception for small and mid-sized institutions. The FDIC invites public comments on the proposed framework by June 18, 2024, to ensure the updated guidelines reflect current industry consolidation and financial stability risks.