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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 1.1Ch. 19Art. 2§ 1685 Foreign Bank Merger Restrictions

§ 1685 Foreign Bank Merger Restrictions

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

§ 1685 Foreign Bank Merger Restrictions

This law says an out‑of‑state bank that doesn’t already have a California branch can’t merge with or buy a California bank unless that California bank has been around for at least five years.

Key Takeaways

  • •Out‑of‑state banks need a California branch before they can merge with or purchase a California bank.
  • •The California bank must have existed for at least five years before the deal can happen.
  • •If a brand‑new California bank is created just to buy another California bank, it’s treated as if it’s as old as the bank it’s buying.

Example

A bank from Texas that has no California office wants to buy a small California credit union that has only been operating for three years.

Because the California credit union is less than five years old, the Texas bank isn’t allowed to buy it under this law.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1685 Foreign Bank Merger Restrictions

(a) No foreign (other state) bank that does not already maintain a California branch office may: (1) Merge as the surviving bank with a California bank pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1684, unless the California bank has been in existence for at least five years. (2) Purchase the whole business unit of a California bank pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1684 unless the California bank has been in existence for at least five years. (b) For purposes of this section, a California bank that is established solely for the purpose of, and does not open for business prior to, acquiring the whole business unit of a second California bank through a merger or purchase is deemed to have been in existence for the same period of time as the second California bank. (Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 243, Sec. 3. (SB 664) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

foreign bankCalifornia branch officemergepurchaseCalifornia bankfive yearswhole business unit

Related Statutes

  • § 18685 Foreign Industrial Loan Mergers
  • § 1682 Foreign Bank Branch Requirements
  • § 1683 Foreign Bank Branch Insurance
  • § 1684 Foreign Bank Mergers Restrictions
  • § 1686 Bank Acquisition Age Exemption

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 1685.
View Official Source