Markets Wired

WASHINGTON—Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu issued the following statement today regarding the Request for Information on bank mergers.

I support the view of the majority of the FDIC Board members that the Bank Merger Act (BMA) guidelines are ripe for review. I am particularly focused on the financial stability prong, given large bank merger trends and my experience in the 2008 financial crisis with too-big-to-fail firms.

I voted for the Request for Information (RFI) on the BMA due to the inability to reach compromise and urgency on the financial stability issue, which I care deeply about. However, I am concerned that legal or procedural quicksand may ultimately limit our ability to act on this issue in a timely manner.

I believe the views of the majority of the FDIC Board members should influence the Agency’s agenda and actions. As a Director on the FDIC Board, I will continue to consider each issue on its merits.