Merchant Banking Modernization

(a) In general Section 4(k)(7)(A) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)(7)(A)) is amended by inserting Under such regulations, the period of time generally permitted for holding merchant banking investments shall not be less than 15 years. For any merchant banking investment held on the date of enactment of the Merchant Banking Modernization Main Street Act, the holding period of time permitted shall not be less than 15 years from the initial date of the investment. after the period at the end.end. (b) Merchant banking study (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall carry out a study on merchant banking investments to assess— (A) the number, investment size, holding period, and risk characteristics of merchant banking investments by financial holding companies, with the assessment of investment sizes and holding periods based on the average, median, and distribution of the investment sizes and holding periods; (B) the types of businesses, projects, assets, and activities in which such merchant banking investments are made, including the extent to which such merchant banking investments support infrastructure projects and housing development and construction; and (C) any information, analyses, or findings related to merchant banking investments that the Board determines to be relevant. (2) Report Not later than the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Board shall issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under this subsection.