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Iii.

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•

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STATE LAWS AFFECTING THE GEOGRAPIDC EXPANSION
OF COMMERCIAL BANKS

by

Dean F. Amel*

1993

*Senior Economist, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

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3 5001 00060 623 3

STATE LAWS AFFECTING THE GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION OF COMMERCIAL BANKS

I.

State laws affecting the ability of commercial banks to
expand geographically via either branching or multibank holding
company (MBHC) expansion have been among the primary determinants of
the structure of commercial banking in the United States. This paper
changes over
provides a detailed description of these laws and
time.
II.

The Data Collection Process
The scope of this paper is limited to state laws affecting
intrastate branching, MBHC formation and expansion, and interstate
banking and branching that have been enacted since 1960. This paper
generally does not include laws pertaining to the regulation of bank
branching or MBHC formation through required
ration, capital
restrictions or approval of acquisitions. Laws covering expansion
activities that do not involve full service facilities (for example,
drive-in teller offices, automated teller machines and credit card
banks) have also been omitted. 1 Since the definitions of branches
and MBHCs are similar in most states (states have adopted the federal
definition), definitions are omitted unless they are unique. Rulings
of the Comptroller of the Currency allowing national banks to branch
to the same extent as state-chartered thrift institutions are not
included, because legal challenges to such rulings makes the date of
their effect uncertain and because such rulings apply only to
federally chartered banks, not to state-chartered banks. 2 Finally,
laws applicable only to nonbank financial institutions are not
included.
Several sources were utilized in the compilation of this
report. The primary source is the first fourteen editions of the
Conference of State Bank Supervisors' A Profile of State Chartered

1. Laws regulating limited-service or full-service facilities have
been included for some states that prohibit branching.
2. The Comptroller has made such rulings in Florida, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Most of these
states have altered the regulation of state-chartered banks in
response to the Comptroller's lawsuit; these changes are included in
the listing.

2-

Banking, covering 1965 to 1992. These editions provide descriptions
of the geographic restrictions on branching, holding company and
interstate banking statutes for each state. However, since the issues
are only published biennially and do not include the effective dates
of statutes, it was necessary to find complementary sources. Numerous
issues of the American Banker and Bank Expansion Reporter were used to
obtain the effective dates for the majority of the laws. Remaining
dates were obtained by consulting state legal codes or state bank
regulators and banking associations. Throughout, the American Bankers
Association's
was used to check statutory
branching and MBHC references. Corrections to earlier drafts of this
paper have been provided by correspondents too numerous to mention.
While every effort has been made to make this data set as
complete and accurate as possible, the accuracy of the final
compilation no doubt decreases as one goes back through time. The
listings for the 1960s should be viewed with less confidence than
those for the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The data are complete through
August 12, 1993.
III.

Branching MBHC and Interstate Banking and Branching Laws of the
Fifty States and the District of Columbia
Laws are listed below in chronological order by state and by
type of law. Within each state, laws governing intrastate expansion
are given first, followed by provisions for interstate expansion.
Dates are given for when the laws became effective rather than for
when they were enacted and are as accurate as could be ascertained.
If the first law listed is not preceded by a date, it was effective as
of January 1, 1960, but its date of effect is unknown.

Branching:

De novo branching varies by county: there
are 67 counties in the state, and 58 of
them have authorized some form of
branching. Almost every county has a
different branch banking bill. Some permit
branches to be established anywhere,
subject to approval by the superintendent,
while others permit branches to be
established only in those cities having
population above a specified level.

3

05/17/81

Statewide by merger or in case of an
emergency or failure of an existing bank.

05/31/90

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/87

Regional reciprocal: AR, DC, FL, GA, KY,
LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Acquired
banks must be at least five years old and
cannot branch across county lines for seven
years after acquisition. De novo entry is
prohibited. Acquiring BHCs must have at
least 80 percent of their deposits in the
region.

09/20/88

The region is expanded to include TX.

09/29/95

National.

ALASKA
Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

01/01/94

National reciprocal.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/82

National nonreciprocal. Acquired banks
must be at least three years old or to have
commenced business prior to July 1, 1982.
De novo entry is prohibited.

ARIZONA
Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

10/01/86

National nonreciprocal. Banks formed after
May 31, 1984, may not be acquired until
they have been in operation for five years
or until July 1, 1992, whichever is
earlier, though exceptions are made for
acquisitions of troubled banks.

07/01/92

De novo entry is permitted.

4

ARKANSAS
Branching:

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
03/29/73

Permitted, subject to approval, in the
following locations: 1) within the
corporate limits of the city or town in
which the establishing bank's main office
is located, provided that it is not closer
than 300 feet to another bank's principal
office. A bank that relocates its main
office may continue to use its former main
office as a branch office as long as its
use as a banking facility is uninterrupted;
2) within any incorporated city or town or
planned community having a population of
250 or more in the county of the
establishing bank's principal office,
provided there is no legally chartered bank
then having its principal office in such
city or town. In addition, any bank may,
operate any presently existing branch
office, teller's window, or other banking
facility which is separate from the main
office of the bank and was legally
established under any prior law and in
operation on March 29, 1973, as a fullservice branch.

09/30/83

A bank may branch in any unincorporated
area within six miles of the corporate
limits of the city or town in which the
bank's main office is located.

06/28/85

A branch may be located outside the county
in a bank's main office is located provided
that the building to be utilized was
formerly owned and used for a banking
purpose by a bank closed by the bank
commissioner or the comptroller of the
currency.

01/01/89

County-wide.

01/01/94

Branching is permitted into contiguous
counties.

01/01/99

Statewide.

02/05/71

Prohibited, but all previously existing BHC
operations are grandfathered.

09/30/83

If one or more of a BHC's subsidiaries
applied for a bank charter after December
31, 1982, the BHC may own or control only
one bank subsidiary. No new acquisitions
permitted if they would cause the BHC's

5

subsidiaries to hold 10 percent or more of
the deposits of all banks in the state.
07/01/84

Twelve percent of deposits replaces 10
percent of deposits.

01/01/85

Fifteen percent of deposits replaces 12
percent of deposits.

08/13/93

Twenty-five percent of deposits replaces 15
percent of deposits.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
01/01/89

Regional reciprocal: AL, DC, FL, GA, KS,
LA, MD, MS, MO, NE, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA,
WV. Acquired banks must be at least 10
years old, though exceptions are made for
acquisitions of troubled banks. De novo
entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs must
have at least 80 percent of their deposits
in the region.

09/29/95

National.

CALIFORNIA
Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/87

Regional reciprocal: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID,
NV, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA. De novo entry is
prohibited. Acquiring BHCs and any parent
companies must have their headquarters in
the region and more deposits in one state
in the region than in any state outside the
region.

01/01/91

National reciprocal.

09/29/95

National.

COLORADO
Branching:

Prohibited. Banks may operate one detached
facility within 3000 feet of the bank. An
insolvent bank may be operated as a branch
for five years.
08/01/91

Statewide branching by merger. BHCs may
convert 60 percent of existing bank
subsidiaries into branches. Ten de novo

-6-

branches may be established in economically
depressed parts of the state prior to
January 1, 1993.
07/01/92

BHCs may convert 80 percent of their bank
subsidiaries into branches.

07/01/93

BHCs may convert all of their bank
subsidiaries into branches. A bank may
form one de nova branch anywhere in the
state.

01/01/97

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/88

Regional reciprocal: AZ, KS, NE, NM, OK,
UT, WY. Acquired banks must be at least
five years old. Acquiring BHCs and any
parent companies must have more deposits in
one state in the region than in any state
outside the region. In addition, two out
of-state organizations can enter Colorado
if they agree to acquire failed industrial
banks. No out-of state BHC can acquire a
firm if it would result in the BHC
controlling more than 25 percent of bank,
thrift and credit union deposits in the.
state.

01/01/91

National nonreciprocal.

07/01/93

De nova entry is permitted.

CONNECTICUT
Branching:

Statewide, with home office protection.
12/19/80

Home-office protection applies to de nova
branching, but does not apply to banks
entering towns through the acquisition of
existing banks or branches.

10/01/86

Statewide branching allowed for banks with
less than $350,000 in assets and into towns
with population of 100,000 or more.

10/01/87

The $350,000 asset limit is raised to
$750,000 and the 100,000 population limit
is lowered to 60,000.

10/01/88

Statewide.

-7-

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

06/08/83

Regional reciprocal: ME, MA, NH, RI, VT.
De nova entry is prohibited. Banks from
any other state are allowed to open two
nondepository offices in Connecticut per
year. Acquiring BHCs and any parent
companies must have their headquarters and
all subsidiary banks within the region.

03/19/90

National reciprocal.

02/01/92

De nova entry is permitted.

09/29/95

National.

??/??/21

Statewide.

DELAWARE
Branching:
MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

10/09/81

Out-of-state BHCs may set up two de novo
banks subject to restrictions on location
and competition with in-state banks.

01/01/88

Regional reciprocal: MD, NJ, OH, PA. The
region will be expanded to include DC and
VA if they pass reciprocal laws including
DE by January 1, 1988. Acquired banks must
be at least five years old. De novo entry
is prohibited. Banks may opt out of the
interstate agreement.

06/30/90

National reciprocal.

09/29/95

National.

Branching:

District-wide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

11/23/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, FL, GA, LA, MD,
MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Acquired banks
must be at least two years old. De novo

8-

entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs must
have at least 80 percent of their deposits
in the region.
04/11/86

National nonreciprocal, for banks willing
to commit to invest $50-100 million and
create 50-100 jobs in the district.
Acquired banks must have been in existence
on and operated continuously since December
18, 1985. Banks may opt out of this
provision.

09/29/95

National.

FLORIDA
Branching:

Prohibited.
01/01/77

Any bank may establish up to two de novo
branches per calendar year and an unlimited
number of branches by merger with other
banks located within the limits of the
county in which its main office is located.

07/01/80

Branching by merger allowed across county
boundaries.

07/01/81

The restriction of two de novo branches per
year is eliminated.

11/18/88

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

Branching:

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, DC, GA. LA,
MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Acquired banks
must be at least two years old. De novo
entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs and
any parent companies must have their
headquarters and 80 percent of their
deposits within the region.

05/01/95

National reciprocal.

09/29/95

National.

02109/60

Branches formed prior to 1960 are
grandfathered. A bank is permitted one
branch or facility in municipalities with
less than 40,000 population, two in
municipalities with 40,000 - 80,000

9

population, and an unlimited number in
municipalities with more than 80,000
population.
04/12/63

Sets villages as branching boundaries for
banks not located within a municipality.

04/14/67

Changes the minimum population for
unlimited number of branches from 80,000 to
60,000.

01/01/71

Changes municipal limits to county limits
as the branching boundary, with one office
allowed for each 20,000 population or
portion thereof. If population exceeds
120,000, there is no limit on the number of
branches.

08/08/73

Bank offices or facilities are allowed in
the same county in which the principal
office is located or in counties in which a
branch bank is located, the number of
facilities being determined by the
following schedule based on county
population:
Additional Offices
Population
0 - 20,000
2
20,001 - 40,000
3
40,001 - 60,000
4
60,001 - 80,000
s
90,001 - 100,000
6
100,001 - 120,000
7
over 120,000
unlimited.
Branch banks (as distinguished from bank
offices and facilities) are defined as one
designated office or facility located in a
county other than that of the principal
office, where the population exceeds
250,000, established prior to January 1,
1971. No future branch banks may be
established.

04/17/75

Merger of failing institutions is permitted
notwithstanding branch banking laws to the
contrary. In addition, any bank located in
any county of the state having a population
of 400,000 or more may establish branch
banks within any adjacent county having a
population of 400,000 or more.

07/01/80

A BHC may operate a new acquisition as
either a unit bank or, with approval of the
bank commissioner, may merge the new
acquisition with its lead bank and operate
it as a branch.

10

03/16/83

MBHCs:

No BHC may own more than 5 percent of the
stock in each of two or more banks.
07/01/76

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

The restrictions on number of facilities
based on population, adopted on August 8,
1973, are removed.

MBHCs are permitted. Each BHC acquisition
must be operated as a separately chartered
subsidiary bank. Acquired banks must be at
least five years old.
None.

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, FL, KY, LA, MS,
NC, SC, TN, VA. Acquired banks must be at
least five years old. De novo entry is
prohibited. Acquiring BHCs and any parent
companies must have their headquarters and
80 percent of their deposits within the
region.

03/13/87

The region is expanded to include:

07/01/95

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

DC, MD.

HAWAII
Branching:

Statewide branching except for a limitation
of four branches per zone in Honolulu
(there are three zones).
??/??/77

Five branches are permitted per zone in
Honolulu.

01/01/82

Six branches are permitted per zone in
Honolulu.

01/01/84

Seven branches are permitted per zone in
Honolulu.

01/01/86

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

06/13/88

Banks may be acquired by banking
organizations headquartered in American
Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, the Northern Marianas and
Palau. Failing banks may be acquired by
BHCs headquartered in any state. De nova
entry is prohibited.

-11-

09/25/95

National.

Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: MT, NV, OR, UT. WA,
WY. Acquired banks must be at least four
years old. De novo entry is prohibited.

04/03/87

National nonreciprocal for acquisition of
troubled banks.

01/01/88

National nonreciprocal.

01/01/57

Prohibited;

10/01/76

Prohibited; a bank is allowed one facility
within 1,500 yards and another within 3,500
yards of the bank's main office, but
facilities may not be less than 600 yards
from another bank's main office.

01/01/82

A community service facility may be
established anywhere within the county
where the main office is located, or
outside the county within ten miles of the
main office.

09/17/83

The term "community service" is eliminated.

09/01/88

A bank is allowed three additional branches
within the county where its main office is
located, or within a contiguous county
within 10 miles of its main office, but
banks cannot branch within one mile of the
main office of another bank. One of a
bank's five branches must be within 500
yards of the bank's main office. In some
cases, a branch may be as close as 200
yards to the main office of another bank.
Banks acquired by merger after January l,
1982, can be converted to branches and the
resulting bank retains the branching powers
of the merged banks.

08/15/90

A bank is allowed ten branches within the
county where its main office is located,
five branches in each contiguous county and

ILLINOIS
Branching:

facilities permitted.

12

five branches in noncontiguous counties
provided that such branches are within 10
miles of its main office.

MBHCs:

06/07/93

Statewide.

07/05/57

A BHC is defined as any company which owns
or controls 15 percent or more of the
voting shares of two or more banks or which
controls the election of a majority of the
directors of each of two or more banks. No
company may take any action which results
in its becoming a BHC and no BHC may
acquire voting shares of another bank if
such acquisition results in its owning or
controlling more than 5 percent of the
voting shares of such bank. However, a BHC
may acquire additional shares in a bank in
which it controlled a majority of the
voting shares prior to such acquisition.

01/01/82

A BHC may acquire any number of banks
within the region where its largest bank
(in terms of assets) is located and within
one contiguous region (the state is divided
into five regions).

07/01/86

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

INDIANA

None.
06/26/84

The acquisition of an Illinois bank in
excess of one billion dollars in assets by
a BHC with principal operations outside
Illinois is permitted under certain
conditions.

07/01/85

The law of June 26, 1984 is repealed.

07/01/86

Regional reciprocal: IN, IA, KY, MI, MO,
WI. Acquired banks chartered after January
1, 1982, must be at least 10 years old. De
nova entry is prohibited. Banks may opt
out of the law by September 1, 1986, with
the opt-out period ending July 1, 1988.
Acquiring BHCs and any parent companies
must have headquarters within the region
and more deposits in one state within the
region than in any state outside the
region.

12/01/90

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

-13-

Branching:

A bank located in a city with less than
10,000 population may establish a branch
within the city limits provided that it is
not within 1/4 mile of the principal office
of another bank. In counties having less
than 500,000 inhabitants or in counties
having three or more second-class cities, a
bank may branch in cities or towns within
the county provided there is no bank
located in such city or town. In all
counties, a bank located in a city having
more than 35,000 population may open one
branch for each $200,000 paid-in and
unimpaired capital and surplus; the same
rule applies to a bank located in a city of
less than 35,000 but more than 17,500
except that such branch may not be within
one mile of an existing bank. In counties
having more than 500,000 population and not
having three or more second-class cities, a
bank may establish a branch in any city or
town within the county where its principal
office is located.
07/01/71

In counties having less than 500,000
inhabitants or in counties having three or
more second-class cities, a bank may branch
in any city or town within the county
provided there is no bank in such city or
town. In all counties having in excess of
500,000 inhabitants and not having three or
more cities of second class, any bank may
branch in any city or town within the
county limits. In all counties, any bank
may open one branch for each $200,000
capital and surplus.

09/01/83

County-wide.

07/01/85

Branching is permitted into contiguous
counties. Banks with deposits greater than
$400 million are permitted only one branch
outside of their home counties before
December 31, 1987, and only two before July
1, 1990.

01/01/89

Unlimited branching into contiguous
counties. Statewide branching by mergers
is permitted.

05/12/91

Statewide.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
07/01/85

Acquisition of banks allowed statewide with
a limit of 10 percent of bank deposits in
the state for any one MBHC.

14

07/01/86

The 10 percent limit is raised to 11
percent.

07/01/87

The limit of 11 percent of state bank
deposits is raised to 12 percent of state
deposits of banks, savings and loans and
credit unions.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
Ol/Ol/86

Regional reciprocal: IL, KY, MI, OH.
Acquired banks must be at least five years
old. De nova entry is prohibited. Banks
that register by July 1, 1985, may opt out
of the agreement until July l, 1987.
Acquiring BHCs and any parent companies
must have 80 percent of their deposits
within the region.

06/01/87

The region is expanded to include:
PA, TN, VA, WV, WI.

07/01/90

The region is expanded to include MN.

07/01/92

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

Branching:

IA, MO,

Prohibited; facilities permitted in the
county in which a bank's principal office
is located or in a contiguous or cornering
county.
07/01/72

Prohibited; however, banks may operate
full service facilities within the
municipal corporation in which the
principal office is located according to
the following schedule:
Population of Municipal
Number of
Corporation or Urban Complex
over 200,000
4
100,000 - 200,000

3

less than 100,000
2
Full-service office facilities are also
permitted outside the municipal corporation
or urban complex in which the principal
office is located provided they are in the
same county or in a contiguous or cornering
county.
07/01/84

The limitations on the number of facilities
within the municipal corporation in which
the principal office is located is changed
to:
Population of Municipal
Number of

15

Corporation or
over
100,000
less than
07/01/89

MBHCs:

5
4
3.

The limitations on the number of facilities
within the municipal corporation in which
the principal office is located is changed
to:
Population of Municipal
Number of
Corporation or Urban Complex
Facilities
over 200,000
6
100,000 - 200,000
5
less than 100,000
4.
No BHC may acquire more than 25 percent of
any bank if such acquisition would give the
bank over 8 percent of bank deposits in the
state.

07/01/84

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

Urban Complex
200,000
200,000
100,000

The limit of 8 percent of bank deposits
limit is raised to 10 percent of bank,
thrift and credit union deposits.
None.

01/01/91

Regional reciprocal: IL, MN, MO, NE, SD,
WI. Acquired banks must be at least five
years old.
De nova entry is prohibited.
Banks may opt out of the agreement.
Acquiring BHCs must have at least 80
percent of their deposits in the region.
In aggregate, out-of-state BHCs may not
acquire more than 35 percent of the
deposits of banks in the state.

09/25/95

National.

07/01/47

Prohibited; banks may operate one offpremise and one on-premise facility.

07/01/73

Banks may operate one attached auxiliary
teller facility and three detached
auxiliary banking service facilities. Such
facilities must be located within the city
or township in which the bank's designated
place of business is located and more than
50 feet from any other nonparticipating
bank or facility thereof. Any bank
electing to establish the maximum number of
detached facilities shall establish and
maintain at least one within 2,600 feet of
its principal place of business.

KANSAS
Branching:

-16

MBHCs:

04/30/87

Branching allowed statewide by merger or
acquisition. Acquired branches must be
operated for two years after acquisition if
the acquired facility is in another city or
county than the parent bank. De novo
branching is permitted into communities
with no banking offices.

02/15/90

Statewide.

06/29/57

Prohibited.

07/01/85

A BHC may not acquire control of any of the
voting shares of any bank if, after such
acquisition, the BHC would control more
than 9 percent of the total deposits of
banks and thrifts within the state. In
addition, no BHC shall acquire control of
more than 5 percent of a bank chartered
after January 1, 1985, unless it has been
in existence for five or more years.

03/27/86

A BHC owning less than three banks may
acquire a failed or failing bank up to 100
miles away and operate it as a branch. The
acquired bank must be in a town with
population of less than 3,500.

07/01/90

The 9 percent cap on ownership of statewide
bank and thrift deposits is changed to 12
percent of bank deposits.

07/01/93

The 12 percent cap on ownership of
statewide bank deposits is raised to 15
percent.

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
07/01/92

Regional reciprocal: AR, CO, IA, MO, NE,
OK. De nova entry is prohibited.

09/25/95

National.

??/??/54

A bank may establish branches within the
city and county of its principal office,
except that a branch may not be established
in a city in which there is an existing
bank, nor within an unincorporated area
within a radius of one mile of an existing
bank.

03/12/90

County-wide for banks meeting capital
requirements.

KENTUCKY
Branching:

-17-

07/13/90

MBHCs:

No person who owns or acquire more than 50
percent of the capital stock of one bank
may own or acquire capital stock in any
additional bank.
07/14/84

A BHC may buy up to three banks a year
across county lines for the next five
years, but may not control more than 15
percent of the total deposits of banks in
the state. Acquired banks must be at least
five years old.

07/15/86

BHCs may acquire more than three banks in
any one of the remaining years of the five
year period of the law of July 14, 1984,
provided that they do not exceed 15 bank
acquisitions in the five year period.

07/15/92

The statewide deposit cap is changed to 15
percent of state bank, thrift and credit
union deposits.
None.

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

Banks that are commonly owned or controlled
may merge, with the surviving bank
retaining any branching powers of the
merged banks.

07/14/84

Regional reciprocal: IL, IN, MO, OH, TN,
VA, WV. De novo entry is prohibited.
Acquired banks must be at least five years
old.

07/15/86

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

LOUISIANA
Branching:

Any bank having capital of $100,000 or more
may open a branch in parishes where there
are no state banks; not more than one
branch is permitted in any parish other
than the parish of domicile.
06/10/88

MBHCs:

Statewide.
A BHC is defined as any company that owns,
controls, or holds with power to vote, 25
percent or more of the voting shares of any
bank or that controls the election of a
majority of the directors of any bank. No
company or bank shall take any action which
results in its becoming a BHC. No BHC or
subsidiary thereof may acquire any voting
shares of a bank if, after such

-18-

acquisition, such company or subsidiary
will own or control more than 25 percent of
the voting shares of such bank except when
the additional shares acquired are in a
bank in which the BHC already owns or
controls a majority of voting shares. BHCs
may not open de novo banks.
01/01/85

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

BHCs may expand outside of their parishes
with the following restrictions:
(1) multiparish branching is prohibited;
(2) branching by newly acquired banks is
limited to one new branch a year for the
first five years after the acquisition,
with a maximum of four branches in the
five year period; and (3) acquired banks
must be at least five years old.
None.

07/01/87

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA,
KY, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.
Acquired banks must be at least five years
old. De novo entry is prohibited.

01/01/89

National reciprocal.

07/01/94

De novo banks are permitted for BHCs that
have already acquired a Louisiana bank.

09/25/95

National.

MAINE
A bank may establish a branch within the
county in which its principal office is
located or in a contiguous county, and in
any municipality where no other bank is
operating regularly or where another
facility is acquired.

Branching:

10/01/75

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

01/01/78

National reciprocal.

02/07/84

National nonreciprocal.
permitted.

MARYLAND
Branching:

Statewide.

De novo entry is

-19-

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: DE, DC, VA, WV.
Acquired banks must be at least three years
old. De nova entry is prohibited.
Acquiring BHCs and any parent companies
must have 80 percent of their deposits
within the region. In addition, BHCs from
outside the region may apply to establish
limited-service banks in Maryland and then
convert them later into full-service
commercial banks. Full-service charters
will only be granted to limited-service
banks that have been in operation for six
months. No full-service charters will be
approved before July 1, 1986.

10/25/85

National reciprocal banking allowed for
banks buying failing Maryland thrift
institutions.

07/01/87

The region is expanded to include: AL, AR,
FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, PA, SC, TN.

07/01/89

De nova entry is permitted subject to
certain economic commitments.

09/25/95

National.

08/20/61

Branches may be established in the same
city or town as a bank's principal office,
and in any other city or town in the same
county having no or inadequate commercial
banking facilities.

10/06/78

Branches are permitted on any site within
15 miles of the principal office.

09/11/79

The 15 mile limitation is replaced by 25
miles.

06/15/82

The 25 mile limitation is replaced by 40
miles. Only three branches or mergers are
permitted in one calender year outside a
bank's home county. There is no limit on
the number of branches within the home
county.

10/10/84

Statewide, subject to the restriction of
three bank acquisitions per year outside of
the home county.

MASSACHUSETTS
Branching:

-20-

MBHCs:

Inter. Bran.:

Inter. MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.
09/04/90

No BHC may control more than 15 percent of
state bank deposits.

07/01/83

Regional reciprocal: CT, ME, NH, RI, VT.
De nova entry is permitted. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have their
headquarters within the region.

09/04/90

National reciprocal.
permitted.

07/01/83

Regional reciprocal: CT, ME, NH, RI, VT.
De nova entry permitted. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have
r
headquarters within the region.

09/04/90

National reciprocal. Banks may opt out of
the agreement until July l, 1992.

09/25/95

National.

08/20/69

A bank may establish a branch within a
village or city in the county in which its
principal office is located, or in an
adjacent county within 25 miles of the
principal office, if no other bank or a
branch thereof is in operation in that
village or city.

02/14/78

The clause restricting county-wide
branching to villages and cities is
repealed.

05/18/83

A declaratory ruling involving home-office
protection and branches ruled that a new
bank formed by the consolidation of two
existing banks may continue to operate the
two original "main offices" as branches.
Home office protection does not apply under
these conditions.

03/01/87

Existing BHC affiliates can be consolidated
into branches if the affiliates are at
least 2-1/2 years old or were formed prior
to January l, 1985.

08/01/88

Statewide.

De nova entry is

MICHIGAN
Branching:

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
04/??/71

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

21

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
01/01/86

Regional reciprocal: IL, IN, MN, OH. WI.
De nova entry is permitted.

10/10/88

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

MINNESOTA
Branching:

Prohibited;

facilities permitted.

06/05/71

One detached facility is permitted within
1,000 feet of the main office. Facility
functions are limited to rec
deposits, cashing checks or orders to pay,
and receiving payments payable at the bank.

08/01/74

The 1,000 foot distance is changed to 3,000
feet.

08/01/77

Facility functions are enlarged to include
opening deposit accounts, issuing drafts,
money orders and travelers checks, and
accepting loan applications. Any bank is
permitted two detached facilities located
anywhere in the municipality in which its
principal office is located or within 25
miles of its principal office. In
addition, a savings bank can have five
additional offices within the counties of
Hennepin and Anoka. If the municipality
location other than that which contains the
principal office has population of 10,000
or less based upon last federal census,
banks must provide consent in
writing to the establishment of the
facility. Detached facilities shall not be
closer than 50 feet to another facility,
nor 100 feet to another bank's principal
office, unless waived in writing by the
other bank.

04/04/80

Full service facilities permitted.

08/01/80

In addition to two detached facilities, a
bank may have a drive-in or walk-up
facility located within 1,500 feet from its
main office or detached facility.

08/01/83

The limitations as to location or number of
branches do not apply where a bank seeks to
acquire a failing bank and operate it as a
detached facility.

22

08/01/87

Branching by acquisition is allowed within
the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul
metropolitan area. Up to five de novo
branches are permitted within this region,
but any such branching in towns of less
than 10,000 population requires the written
consent of banks headquartered in that
town. Elsewhere, a bank is allowed five
branches in municipalities within a 100
mile radius of its principal office.

08/01/93

Statewide branching by acquisition.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/86

Regional reciprocal: IA, ND, SD, WI. De
nova entry is permitted. Banks may opt out
of the agreement before July 1, 1987. Out
of state BHCs may control no more than 30
percent of the deposits of financial
institutions in the state.

08/01/87

Acquisition of a failed or failing bank by
any BHC in the country is permitted.

08/01/88

The region is expanded to include:
IL, KS, MO, MT, NE, WA, WY.

08/01/90

The region is expanded to include IN.

04/01/92

The region is expanded to include MI and
OH.

04/22/94

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

CO, ID,

MISSISSIPPI
Branching:

A bank may establish up to 15 branches
within a radius of 100 miles of its
principal office, but no branches are
permitted in a town or city of less than
3,100 population according to the last
preceding federal census where such town or
city has one or more banks in operation. A
bank may also establish branches within the
corporate limits of the city where the bank
is domiciled if the population is not less
than 10,000, and within the limits of the
county wherein such bank is domiciled, and
within the limits of any county adjacent to
the county within which such bank is
domiciled, provided that no branch office

-23-

shall be established in any town or city
less than 3,500 population where such town
or city has one or more banks or branch
banks in operation.
07/01/86

Statewide branching by merger. An
unlimited number of bank offices may be
established within a 100 mile radius of the
principal office in towns or cities with
population greater than 5,500. Banks are
limited to holding 17 percent of bank,
thrift and credit union deposits in the
state.

07/01/87

The 100 mile radius is raised to 150 miles,
the limit on small towns and cities where
branching is restricted is lowered to 3,100
and the 17 percent cap on a bank's share of
state deposits is raised to 18 percent.

07/01/88

The 150 mile radius is raised to 200 miles
and the 18 percent cap on a bank's share of
state deposits is raised to 19 percent.

07/01/89

Statewide, subject to the restriction on
branching in small towns and cities and the
deposit cap.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
07/01/90

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

BHCs may acquire banks that are at least
five years old or any failed bank.
None.

07/01/88

07/01/90

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, LA, TN.
Acquired banks must be at least five years
old. De nova entry is prohibited.
Acquiring BHCs must have 80 percent of
their deposits in the region.
The region is expanded to include:

FL, GA,

KY, MO, NC, SC, TX, VA, WV.

09/25/95

National.

MISSOURI
Branching:

Prohibited; full-service facilities are
permitted. The number of facilities a bank
may operate is restricted by the following:
(1) A bank may operate three facilities if
its main office is located in a first-class
county or in an incorporated city. town. or
village having a population of 28,000 or
more.
(2) A bank may operate two
facilities if its main office is located in

24-

a county other than first class, and in an
incorporated community or an incorporated
city, town, or village having a population
of less than 28,000.
(3) Any bank with
its main banking house in a second-, thirdor fourth-class county may operate one
separate facility, and in counties with
less than 10,000 population and more than
7,000 population, two separate facilities,
in that county in an incorporated or
unincorporated town with a population of
not more than 1,550 which does not have
banking services.
(4) When banks in the
same county merge, the surviving bank
retains all facilities and the rights to
all additional facilities of any of the
merging banks. Facilities are prohibited
outside the limits of the city, town,
village or unincorporated community in
which its main bank is located, unless the
main banking house is located in a first
class county and outside the county in
which the bank is located, even if the
limits of such city, town, village or
unincorporated community extend across
county lines, unless such city, town,
village or unincorporated community is
located in a county or counties which
border on any lake or reservoir having at
least a 1,000 mile shoreline and provided
that any such facility located in an
adjacent county must be located within the
corporate limits of said city, town or
village and within five miles of the main
banking house. A facility may not be
located closer than 400 feet to the main
banking house of another bank unless such
facility is closer to its own main bank
than it is to the competitor's, unless the
affected bank consents thereto in writing.
09/28/83

A bank formed by consolidation of two banks
retains all of the branching powers of the
two merged banks.

11/29/90

Statewide.

MBHCs:

Prior to 1975, there were no restrictions.
01/01/75

A BHC may not acquire control of a bank if,
as the result of such acquisition, the BHC
would control 13 percent or more of the
deposits of banks in the state.

08/13/88

The deposit cap is changed to 13 percent of
the deposits of banks, thrifts and credit
unions in the state.

-25-

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
08/13/86

Regional reciprocal: AR, IL, IA, KS, KY,
NE, OK, TN. De novo entry is prohibited.

08/13/87

De novo entry is permitted.

09/25/95

National.

MONTANA
Branching:

Prohibited.
01/01/90

Statewide by merger. A bank may establish
branches in the county of the bank's main
office, in an adjoining county, or in any
town in the state without a bank or branch.
Grandfathered out-of-state BHCs with banks
in the state may not branch de novo or
acquire other banks, but may consolidate
existing banks.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

10/01/93

Regional reciprocal: CO, ID, MN, ND, SD,
WI, WY. Acquired banks must be at least 6
years old. No out-of-state MBHC may
control more than 18 percent of state bank,
thrift and credit union deposits. In
aggregate, out of state MBHCs may control
no more than 49 percent of state deposits.

10/01/94

The 18 percent deposit cap is raised to 19
percent.

10/01/95

The 19 percent deposit cap is raised to 20
percent.

10/01/96

The 20 percent deposit cap is raised to 21
percent.

10/01/97

The 21 percent deposit cap is raised to 22
percent.

09/25/95

National.

NEBRASKA
Branching:

Prohibited.
03/31/83

A bank may acquire a failing bank anywhere
in the state and operate it as a branch.

-26-

MBHCs:

09/01/83

A bank may establish three offices, all
within the city in which the bank is
located. One must be within three miles of
the main office and none can be located
within 300 feet of another bank or within
50 feet of another bank's office. Any bank
may acquire a cooperative credit
association located within the county of
the bank's main office or a contiguous
county and operate it as an office.

08/26/84

The limit of three offices is changed to
four offices.

01/31/85

A bank may not have auxiliary offices if
the bank is located outside the corporate
limits of a

03/04/85

Statewide branching by merger, subject to
limitations on branching within a bank's
home city. The acquired bank must be at
least 18 months old.

08/26/85

The limit of four offices is changed to
five offices in the law of August 26, 1984.

03/12/63

Prohibited. Existing MBHCs are
grandfathered.

03/31/83

A BHC may acquire a failing bank anywhere
in the state.

09/01/83

Acquisition of banks by a BHC is prohibited
if the banks acquired would have deposits
greater than 9 percent of the total
deposits of all banks and thrifts in the
state. Deposits of all banks in which the
ownership share is 25 percent or more are
included in this calculation. No BHC may
own or control more than nine banks located
in the state. Acquired banks must be at
least five years old.

03/08/84

Failing banks acquired between March 8,
1984, and July 1, 1987, are exempt from the
limits on the total number of banks and on
the percentage of state deposits controlled
by a BHC.

03/04/85

The deposit cap of 9 percent is changed to
11 percent in the law of September l, 1983.

07/01/87

The exemption of failing banks from limits
on the number of banks and percentage of
state deposits that a BHC may control is
repealed.

27-

01/01/90

The deposit cap of 11 percent is changed to
12 percent.

01/01/91

The deposit cap of 12 percent is changed to
13 percent.

01/01/92

The deposit cap of 13 percent is changed to
14 percent.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
01/01/90

Regional reciprocal: CO, IA, KS, MN, MO,
MT, ND, SD, WI, WY. Acquired banks must be
at least five years old. De nova entry is
prohibited. Acquiring BHCs must have 50
percent of their deposits in the region.
Out of state BHCs may control no more than
14 percent of state deposits.

01/01/91

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

NEVADA
Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

07/01/85

Permitted in counties with population less
than 100,000. De nova entry is permitted.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID,
MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY. Acquired banks
must be at least five years old. De nova
entry is prohibited.

01/01/89

National nonreciprocal.

07/01/90

De nova entry is permitted.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Branching:

No branching statute;
in practice.
10/01/63

branching prohibited

A bank may establish a branch within the
town in which its principal office is
located, within a contiguous town, or
within a noncontiguous town within a radius
of 15 miles of the principal office.
Branches are not permitted in a contiguous
town, however, if there is an operating
bank in such town, or in a noncontiguous
town if there is an operating bank within a

-28-

radius of 10 miles of the proposed branch
location.
06/30/79

A bank may establish a branch in any town
within the state having a population in
excess of 25,000, within the county or
standard metropolitan statistical area, or
within 35 miles of its principal office,
provided that there is not a bank in
existence in the town at the time of
application.

06/30/80

The limit of 25,000 on town population is
replaced by 10,000.

06/30/81

The limit of 10,000 on town population is
replaced by 5,000.

06/30/82

The limit of 5,000 on town population is
replaced by 2,500.

07/24/87

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No BHC shall acquire ownership or control
of the voting stock of any bank if the BHC
would have more than 12 affiliates or if
the total deposits of the BHC would exceed
15 percent of state bank, thrift and credit
union deposits.
04/13/90

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

The deposit cap is raised from 15 percent
to 20 percent.
None.

09/01/87

Regional reciprocal: CT, ME, MA, RI, VT.
Banks may opt out of the agreement every
two years for up to six years. De novo
entry is permitted. Acquiring BHCs must
have all of their deposits in the region.

04/20/88

Acquiring BHCs must have 50 percent of
their deposits in the region, but the
percentage may fall below 50 percent after
acquisition.

04/13/90

National nonreciprocal.

NEW JERSEY
Branching:

A bank may branch within the municipality
wherein its principal office is located,
within the same county in the case of
merger, or in a municipality where another
bank does not have an office.

-29-

07/??/69

A bank may branch in any municipality
within the banking district in which it
maintains its principal office provided no
other institution has its principal office
in that municipality.
(The state is
divided into three banking districts.) If
a municipality has less than 7,500
population, there may be only one branch
office in that municipality.

08/08/73

A bank may establish a branch office in any
municipality in the state with the
following two exceptions: (1) a
municipality which has a population less
than 7,500 and in which another banking
institution has a branch office; and (2) a
municipality which has less than 50,000
population and in which another banking
institution maintains its principal office.

01/01/74

The limitation of 50,000 on municipality
population is replaced by 40,000.

01/01/75

The limitation of 40,000 on municipality
population is replaced by 30,000.
Restriction (1) of the statute of August 8,
1973, is eliminated.

07/09/75

The restriction of January 1, 1975, does
not apply if the other institution is a
member of a MBHC.

01/01/76

The limitation of 30,000 on municipality
population is replaced by 20,000.

01/01/77

The limitation of 20,000 on municipality
population is replaced by 10,000

02/06/83

The population limitation may be set aside
if regulators determine that such action is
appropriate.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
??/??/68

No company which owns more than 25 percent
of the stock of any bank shall acquire more
than 10 percent of the stock of another
bank if the company owns or would own more
than 10 percent of the stock in each of two
or more banks whose aggregate average
deposits exceed 20 percent of the aggregate
average deposits of all banks, other than
savings banks, in the state.

07/01/86

The limitation of 20 percent of bank
deposits is replaced by 12 percent of the
deposits of all depository institutions.

-30-

07/01/87

The limitation of 12 percent of state
deposits is replaced by 13 percent.

07/01/88

The limitation of 13 percent of state
deposits is replaced by 13.5 percent.

07/01/89

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

Branching:

None.
08/25/86

Regional reciprocal: DE, IL, IN, KY, MD,
MI, MO, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WI, DC. De
novo entry is permitted. Acquiring BHCs
must have 75% of their deposits in states
certified to offer reciprocal privileges to
state BHCs.

01/01/88

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

??/??/51

A bank may establish a branch within the
county in which its principal office is
located. A bank may also branch in an
adjoining county or within a 100 mile
radius, provided another bank is not in
operation in that county.

06/15/91

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

03/26/86

National entry allowed for acquisition of
failed banks.

06/16/89

National nonreciprocal. Acquired banks
must be at least five years old. Out ofstate BHCs may control no more than 40
percent of the deposits of state financial
institutions.

07/01/92

De novo entry is permitted.

NEW YORK
Branching:

The state is divided into nine multicounty
banking districts. If a bank's principal
office is in a city with population of

31

30,000 or more, the bank may open branches
anywhere in the city whether or not the
city lies entirely within one banking
district. A bank may open branches in any
city or village in the banking district in
which its principal office is located
except for cities or villages in which
another bank's principal office is located.
A newly-chartered bank may establish only
two branches per year in its first five
years, and none during its first year of
operation.
03/17/61

The provision for branching in cities with
population of at least 30,000 is extended
to villages with population of at least
30,000. A bank whose principal office is
located in a city with population of one
million or more may branch into an
adjoining county whose population exceeds
700,000, and banks in such a county may
branch into an adjoining city whose
population exceeds one million. A bank may
open branches in any city or village in the
banking district in which its principal
office is located except for cities or
villages with population of one million or
less in which a bank that is not an
affiliate of an MBHC has its principal
office.

03/24/64

A bank may branch anywhere within the city
or village in which its principal office is
located.

04/11/68

The references to cities of one million or
more population and counties of 700,000 or
more population in the law of March 17.
1961, are changed to refer specifically to
New York City and to Nassau and Westchester
Counties.

01/01/72

A bank may establish branches in any city
or village within the banking district in
which its principal office is located
except a city or village with population of
75,000 or less in which is located the
principal office of another bank.

01/01/76

A bank may establish one or more branch
offices at any location in the state
provided that no branch may be established
in a city or village (except for the city
or village in which its principal office is
located) with a population of 50,000 or
less within which is located the principal
office of another bank. The restrictions
on branching by new banks are removed.

-32-

MBHCs:

BHC means any company which (1) owns,
controls, or holds with power to vote:
(a) more than 10 percent of the voting
stock of a company which is or becomes a
BHC by virtue of this definition;
(b) 10
percent or more of the voting stock of each
of two or more banking institutions;
or
(c) if such company is a banking
institution, more than 10 percent of the
voting stock of any one banking
institution; or (2) controls the election
of a majority of the directors of: (a) each
of two or more banking institutions; (b) a
BHC; or (c) if such company is a banking
institution, another banking institution.
Except with the prior approval of the
banking board by a 3/5 vote of the members,
no action shall be taken which results in a
company becoming a BHC having two or more
banking subsidiaries of which at least one
is located in a banking district different
from that of the other(s), unless all such
subsidiaries are located in a city with a
population greater than one million, or
which results in a BHC, if such company is
a banking institution, having a banking
subsidiary located in a banking district
different from that of the BHC unless both
are located in a city of population greater
than one million.
01/01/76

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

06/23/93

National reciprocal.
permitted.

De nova entry is

Inter. MBHCs:

06/28/82

National reciprocal.
permitted.

De novo entry is

06/07/85

An acquiring BHC must not be controlled by
a parent BHC from a state which does not
offer reciprocity to New York BHCs.

09/25/95

National.

02/18/21

Statewide"

NORTH CAROLINA
Branching:
MBHCs:
Inter. Bran.:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.
10/01/93

National reciprocal.
permitted.

De nova entry is

33

Inter. MBHCs:

01/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA,
KY, LA, MD, MS, SC, TN, VA, WV. Acquired
banks must be at least five years old. De
nova entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have their
headquarters and 80 percent of their
deposits in the region.

10/01/88

The region is expanded to include TX.

06/15/93

The percentage of deposits in the region
must be 50 percent.

07/01/94.

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

07/01/37

Prohibited; paying and receiving
facilities are permitted within a bank's
home county or in an adjoining county
within a 35 mile radius other than in a
city or town with an established bank.

07/05/87

Statewide branching by merger is permitted
through restructuring of MBHCs.

NORTH DAKOTA
Branching:

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/87

A grandfathered interstate banking
organization is allowed to sell its ND
banks to out of-state BHCs.

06/14./91

National reciprocal. De nova entry is
prohibited. Banks may opt out of the
agreement. Out of-state BHCs may not
control more than 19 percent of deposits of
state banks, thrifts and credit unions.

09/25/95

National.

Branching:

A bank may branch in municipalities
contiguous to the place designated as its
principal office or within other parts of
the county in which its principal office is
located.
01/01/79

A bank may branch county-wide in the county
of its main office or in a contiguous
county. In addition, a BHC undergoing any

-34-

form of corporate reorganization (including
merger, consolidation, or transfer of
assets and liabilities) may establish
branches in any county in which a
constituent bank's main office is located
and in contiguous counties.
01/01/89
MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.
10/17/85

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

Statewide.

No BHC acquisition may be approved if it
would result in the BHC controlling more
than 20 percent of aggregate deposits of
all banks and thrifts in the state.
None.

10/17/85

Regional reciprocal: DE, DC, IL, IN, KY,
MD, MI, MO, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV, WI. De
nova entry is permitted if it is permitted
by the reciprocal state. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have their
headquarters within the region and more
deposits within one state in the region
than in any state outside the region.

10/17/88

National reciprocal.

09125/95

National.

OKLAHOMA
Branching:

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
10/01/83

A bank may establish two branches, located
either within the city limits where the
bank is located, within five miles of the
bank in all counties with a population of
500,000 or more as of 1980, or within 25
miles of the main office if there is no
state or national bank in that city or
town.

03/16/88

Statewide branching by acquisition.

05/24/88

MBHCs may convert all but one bank into
branches.
A BHC is any company which owns or controls
15 percent or more of the voting shares of
each of two or more banks or BHCs (as
defined here) or which controls the
election of a majority of the directors of
each of two or more banks. No company
shall take any action which results in its

-35-

becoming a BHC and no BHC shall acquire
ownership or control of any voting shares
of any bank if, after such acquisition, the
company will own or control more than 5
percent of the voting shares of such bank.
10/01/83

A BHC is any company which owns or controls
25 percent or more of the voting stock of
one or more banks. A BHC may not acquire
ownership or control of an institution
insured by the FDIC, FSLIC, or NCUA and
located in the state if such acquisition
would cause the BHC to own or control 11
percent or more of the total deposits of
insured banks, thrifts and credit unions
located in the state. Banks chartered
after July 1, 1983, may not be acquired for
a period of five years.

02/22/85

Banks chartered after July 1, 1983, may be
acquired before they are five years old if
the bank was chartered for the purpose of
purchasing the assets and assuming the
liabilities of a failed bank.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
06/11/86

National acquisition of failed banks
allowed.

07/01/87

National nonreciprocal. BHCs from states
granting reciprocity to the state can
expand immediately; others must wait four
years after initial entry. Acquired banks
must be at least five years old or have
been chartered before May 7, 1986. De nova
entry is prohibited.

09/25/95

National.

OREGON
Branching:

A bank may not branch in a city of less
than 50,000 population in which the
principal office of another bank is
located.
03/12/85

MBHCs:

Statewide.
No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

11/04/93

National reciprocal.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/86

Regional nonreciprocal: AK. AZ, CA, HI,
ID, NV, UT, WA. Acquired banks must be at
least three years old. De nova entry is

36

prohibited. Acquiring BHCs and any parent
companies must have their headquarters in
the region and more deposits in one state
in the region than in any state outside the
region.
07/01/89

National nonreciprocal.

PENNSYLVANIA
Branching:

A bank may branch only in the same county
in which its principal office is located or
in a contiguous county.
03/04/82

A bank may branch only in the same county
in which its principal office is located,
in a contiguous county, a bicontiguous
county, or in the counties of Allegheny,
Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.

03/04/90

Statewide.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
03/04/82

A BHC may control up to four banks.

03/04/86

A BHC may control up to eight banks.

03/04/90

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
08/25/86

Regional reciprocal: DE, DC, KY, MD, NJ,
OH, VA, WV. De novo entry is permitted.
Acquiring BHCs must have at least 75% of
their assets in the region.

03/04/90

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

Branching:

??/??/56

Statewide.

MBHCs:

??/??/56

The aggregate amount of stock of banks held
by a financial institution shall not exceed
10 percent of the savings deposits of such
financial institution, the amount of stock
in any one bank shall not exceed 3 percent
of the savings deposits of such financial
institution and shall not exceed 5 percent
of the total voting stock of such bank. A
financial institution may continue to hold
stocks it held prior to July 1, 1961, and

RHODE ISLAND

-37-

the above limitation does not apply to such
holdings if they exceeded 50 percent of the
outstanding stock of the bank prior to this
date.
Inter. Bran.:

06/27/85

National reciprocal.
permitted.

De novo branches are

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/84

Regional reciprocal: CT, ME, MA, NH, VT.
De novo entry is permitted. Banks may opt
out of the agreement.

01/01/88

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Branching:

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

01/01/86

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA,
KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, TN, VA, WV. Acquired
banks must be at least five years old. De
novo entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have their
headquarters and 80 percent of their
deposits in the region.

07/01/96

National reciprocal

09/25/95

National.

SOUTH DAKOTA
Branching:

Statewide.
07/01/69

De novo branching is prohibited in
municipalities with population of 3000 or
less in which a bank is operating or in
municipalities with population of 10,000 or
less in which two banks are operating.
Statewide branching by merger is permitted.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

??/??/83

Out-of-state BHCs may set up one limitedservice de novo state bank and one limitedservice de novo national bank and may

-38-

acquire one existing state bank subject to
restrictions on location and competition
with existing state banks.
02/17/88

National reciprocal. De nova entry is
permitted. Reciprocity is not required for
acquisition of a failed bank.

09/25/95

National.

Branching:

County-wide.
04/19/85

A BHC may operate as a branch office any
office that was previously operated as an
affiliate.

03/08/90

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.
03/03/74

A BHC may acquire shares of any bank in the
state if: (1) the bank has been in
operation at least five years or if the
bank and BHC are in the same county; (2)
it is a de nova acquisition of a bank to be
located in a county of 200,000 population;
(3) it is a de nova acquisition of any bank
after January 1, 1989;
(4) prior to said
acquisition the BHC owned more than 50
percent of the shares of the bank;
(5) it
is an interim bank merger for acquiring a
bank in operation for five years; or (6)
the bank is in financial difficulty. A BHC
is prohibited from acquiring any Tennessee
bank as long as the banks which it controls
retain 16.5 percent of total individual,
partnership, and corporate demand and
savings deposits in federally insured
banks, thrifts and credit unions in the
state.

04/18/85

A BHC may acquire shares of any bank less
than five years old if it is in a county
with population in excess of 200,000.

Inter. Bran.:
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN,
KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, VA, WV. Acquired
banks must be at least five years old. De
nova entry is prohibited in general, but
permitted into four metropolitan counties
with population over 200,000 after a BHC
has entered the state. Acquiring BHCs and

-39-

any parent companies must have their
headquarters and 80 percent of their
deposits within the region.
04/12/88

The region is expanded to include:

01/01/91

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

DC, MD.

TEXAS
Prohibited;

Branching:
01/01/87

Banks may establish three branches in the
same county as their main facility. BHCs
owning more than one bank in a county may
convert all but one of those banks into
branches.

10/26/88

Statewide.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
08/18/70

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

01/01/87

No BHC may acquire an institution if, after
the acquisition, it would control more than
25 percent of state bank deposits.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

Branching:

facilities permitted.

None.
01/01/87

National, nonreciprocal. Acquired banks
must be at least five years old or have
been in operation as of July 15, 1986. De
nova entry is prohibited.

09/01/2001

De nova entry is permitted.

03/13/53

A bank may branch within the corporate
limits of a city or town or within
unincorporated areas of a county in which a
first-class city is located. However, in
such first-class cities or within such
unincorporated areas, no branches may be
established in any city or town in which
the principal office of another bank is
located unless the bank seeking to
establish a branch takes over the existing
bank, and no branch may be established
outside the corporate limits of a city or
town in such close proximity to an
established bank or branch as to interfere

40

unreasonably with the business thereof.
first class city is defined as having a
population of 100,000 or more.
07/01/81
MBHCs:

A

Statewide.
No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

07/01/91

National nonreciprocal.

Inter. MBHCs:

04/15/84

Regional reciprocal: AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID,
MT, NV, NM, OR, WA, WY. De novo entry is
prohibited.

01/21/86

National nonreciprocal for the purchase of
failed state banks.

12/31/87

National nonreciprocal.

01/01/70

Statewide.

VERMONT
Branching:
MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

01/01/88

Regional reciprocal: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI.
De novo entry is permitted. Banks may opt
out of interstate banking activity until
December 31, 1990.

02/01/90

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

??/??/62

Branches may be established within the
town, city or county limits in which a
bank's principal office is located; in
cities contiguous to the county or city in
which the principal office is located; in
contiguous counties, provided such branches
are not established more than five miles
outside the city limits within which the
principal office is located; and elsewhere
by merger with banks in any other county,
city or town.

07/03/78

Branches may be established in contiguous
cities or counties, provided such branches
are not established more than 15 miles
outside the city or county limits within

VIRGINIA
Branching:

-41-

which the principal office is located, and
elsewhere by merger with banks located in
any county, city or town provided the
merging banks have been in operation five
years or more. A bank's main office, for
branching purposes, is fixed by the
establishment of its first branch after
June 30, 1978. Banks which have merged may
branch from the former main offices of the
merged banks, if:
(1) the former main office was a main
office for six years before the merger took
place; and (2) the former main office was
in a city of 25,000 or more, or in a county
of 100,000 or more according to the last
census.
01/01/87

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/85

Regional reciprocal: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA,
KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, WV. Acquired
banks must be at least two years old. De
novo entry is prohibited. Acquiring BHCs
and any parent companies must have their
headquarters and 80 percent of their
deposits within the region.

07/01/94

National reciprocal.

09/25/95

National.

WASHINGTON
Branching:

MBHCs:

Statewide branching permitted a bank having
paid-in capital of not less than $500,000.
A bank having capital of not less than
$200,000 may branch within the county in
which its principal office is located.
However, except through acquisition, no
bank may branch in any city or town outside
the city, town or county within which its
principal place of business is located in
which another bank or branch is located.
07/01/85

Statewide.

05/04/73

Prohibited. BHCs in existence prior to
January l, 1961, are grandfathered.

05/08/81

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

42

None.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

07/01/87

National reciprocal. Acquired banks must
be at least three years old. De novo entry
is prohibited.

09/25/95

National.

WEST VIRGINIA
Branching:

Prohibited. A bank may have one
within 2000 feet of the bank.
06/11/82

Banks may establish three branches
statewide by merger or consolidation.
Mergers are only allowed for five years.
Two de novo branches may be established in
a nonbanked town, with the two banks
allowed to branch into each town determined
by lottery.

06/07/84

County-wide in all counties into which a
bank has branched via merger.

01/01/87

Statewide.

MBHCs:

Prohibited.
06/11/82

No BHC is allowed to control more than 10
percent of the deposits of all banks in the
state.

06/07/84

No BHC is allowed to control more than 20
percent of the deposits of all banks,
thrifts and credit unions in the state.

Inter. Bran. :
Inter. MBHCs:

None.
01/01/88

National reciprocal. Acquired banks must
be at least two years old. De novo entry
is prohibited.

09/25/95

National.

WISCONSIN
Branching:

Prohibited.
??/??/67

A bank may branch in a bankless community
provided no bank or branch is located
within three road-miles of the proposed
branch site. The branch must be located in
the same county as the bank's principal
office or in a contiguous county within 25
miles of the bank's principal office. A
bank may establish a facility for the

-43-

receipt of checks and other transit items
in bank-to-bank transactions at locations
which are not subject to the general
banking restrictions.
05/03/82

A bank may branch anywhere within its home
county or up to 25 miles from its main
office if county lines intersect. Banks
cannot locate a branch closer than 1-1/2
miles from another main office or 3/4 mile
from another branch.

08/01/89

Statewide branching allowed for one year on
a trial basis.

04/29/90

Statewide.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran.:

None.

Inter. MBHCs:

01/01/87

Regional reciprocal: IL, IN, IA, KY, MI,
MN, MO, OH. Acquired banks must be at
least five years old or chartered before
January l, 1987. De novo entry is
prohibited. Acquiring BHCs and any parent
companies must have their principal place
of business in the region.

09/25/95

National.

WYOMING
Branching:

No statute;
the state.

there are no branch banks in

03/17/86

A failing bank that is the only bank within
the incorporated limits of a municipality
may be acquired as a branch by any bank in
the state.

04/09/88

Statewide by merger or consolidation.

07/01/93

A bank may branch into a community without
any bank offices in the county in which the
bank is headquartered. A bank may branch
into a community without any bank offices
in any other county in which the bank has a
branch if no bank headquartered in that
county opposes such a branch.

MBHCs:

No limitations affecting BHC formation and
expansion.

Inter. Bran. :

None.

-44-

Inter. MBHCs:

05/22/87

National nonreciprocal. Acquired banks
must be at least three years old. De nova
entry is prohibited.