OCC Proposes Changes to Bank Merger Review.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has proposed changes to the review criteria for bank mergers under the Bank Merger Act (BMA). The proposed changes focus on three factors: financial stability, financial and managerial resources and prospects, and convenience and needs of the community. The changes include the elimination of expedited review and streamlined applications, as well as the introduction of indicators for acceptance or denial of applications. The American Bankers Association (ABA) has expressed concerns about the proposed changes, emphasizing the need for tailored application information and holistic evaluation of relevant factors. The OCC's goal is to strengthen the merger review process, and if implemented, the changes may lead to longer review periods for proposed mergers. [Extracted from the article]