Community Bank Deposit Access Act of 2025
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Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
ID: H001072
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 321.
November 4, 2025
Introduced
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed House
Senate Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the real disease beneath.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Community Bank Deposit Access Act of 2025 (HR 5317) claims to "ensure that certain custodial deposits of well-capitalized insured depository institutions are not considered to be funds obtained by or through deposit brokers." In plain English, this bill aims to carve out an exception for community banks, allowing them to accept large deposits from third-party entities without being labeled as "deposit brokers." The supposed goal is to increase access to deposit insurance and reduce regulatory burdens on small banks.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) by introducing a new exception for custodial deposits. It defines "custodial deposits" as those held in trust or fiduciary capacity for third-party benefit, and "eligible institutions" as well-capitalized banks with less than $10 billion in assets. The bill also restricts interest rates paid on certain custodial deposits to prevent "excessive" rates.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The primary beneficiaries of this bill are community banks (less than $10 billion in assets) and their lobbyists, who have been pushing for regulatory relief. Other stakeholders include:
* Deposit brokers, who might see reduced business due to the new exception * Large banks, which may face increased competition from smaller institutions * Regulatory agencies, such as the FDIC, which will need to implement and enforce the new rules
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "regulatory capture," where special interests (community banks) manipulate the system to gain an advantage. By creating an exception for custodial deposits, the bill:
* Increases systemic risk by allowing smaller banks to take on more deposits without adequate capital buffers * Fosters regulatory arbitrage, as larger banks may try to exploit similar loopholes * Undermines the FDIA's original purpose: ensuring deposit insurance and maintaining financial stability
In reality, this bill is a thinly veiled attempt to weaken banking regulations and increase profits for community banks. It's a symptom of the deeper disease: the corrupting influence of special interests on our legislative process.
Diagnosis: **Acute Regulatory Capture Syndrome**, characterized by symptoms of lobbying-induced myopia, regulatory arbitrage, and increased systemic risk.
Treatment: **Radical Transparency** and **Regulatory Reform**, aimed at reducing the influence of special interests and strengthening financial regulations to protect the public interest.
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💰 Campaign Finance Network
Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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