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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 1.1Ch. 19Art. 2§ 1684 Foreign Bank Mergers Restrictions

§ 1684 Foreign Bank Mergers Restrictions

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1684 Foreign Bank Mergers Restrictions

This law blocks out‑of‑state banks from merging with or buying California banks, and from opening new branches there, unless they follow special rules that let insured foreign banks do it under federal and state law.

Key Takeaways

  • •Out‑of‑state banks cannot merge with a California bank as the surviving entity.
  • •They cannot purchase the entire business of a California bank unless they follow the special approval process.
  • •They cannot open or keep a California branch unless they already have one or meet the same special conditions.

Example

A bank based in New York wants to buy a small community bank in California to expand its business.

Because the New York bank doesn’t already have a branch in California, it can’t just buy the whole bank. It can only do so if it meets the special conditions that allow insured foreign banks to merge, purchase, or open branches under federal law, the bank’s home‑state law, and California’s rules.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1684 Foreign Bank Mergers Restrictions

(a) (1) No foreign (other state) bank may merge as the surviving corporation with a California bank, except that an insured foreign (other state) bank may do so in accordance with federal law, the law of the domicile of the foreign (other state) bank, this chapter, and Division 1.6 (commencing with Section 4800). (2) No foreign (other state) bank may purchase the whole business unit of a California bank, except that an insured foreign (other state) bank may do so in accordance with federal law, the law of the domicile of the foreign (other state) bank, this chapter, and Division 1.6 (commencing with Section 4800). (3) No foreign (other state) bank that does not already maintain a California branch office may establish or maintain a California branch office except in the manner described in paragraph (1) or (2) and in accordance with federal law, the law of the domicile of the foreign (other state) bank, and this chapter. (b) This section constitutes: (1) An election to permit early interstate merger transactions pursuant to Section 44(a)(3) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1831u(a)(3)). (2) An express prohibition against interstate branching through the acquisition of a branch business unit located in this state of a California bank (without acquisition of the whole business unit of the California bank) pursuant to Section 44(a)(4) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Sec. 1831u(a)(4)). (Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 243, Sec. 3. (SB 664) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

foreign (other state) bankCalifornia bankinsured foreign (other state) bankfederal lawCalifornia branch office

Related Statutes

  • § 1685 Foreign Bank Merger Restrictions
  • § 1688 Foreign Bank Merger Rules
  • § 1672 Foreign Bank Reporting Requirements
  • § 1673 Foreign Bank Recordkeeping Requirements
  • § 1680 Foreign Bank Branch Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 1684.
View Official Source