---
kind: "section"
citation: "12 U.S.C. § 5451"
title: "12"
title_heading: "Banks and Banking"
number: "5451"
heading: "Branching"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/12/5451"
units:
  - "Chapter 53 — Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection"
  - "Subchapter III — Transfer of Powers to the Comptroller of the Currency, the Corporation, and the Board of Governors"
  - "Part C — Other Matters"
---

# §5451. Branching


Notwithstanding the Federal [Deposit](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) Insurance Act ([12 U.S.C. 1811](/usc/12/1811.md) et seq.), the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 ([12 U.S.C. 1841](/usc/12/1841.md) et seq.), or any other provision of Federal or [State](/usc/12/5301.md?p=16) law, a [savings association](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) that becomes a [bank](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) may—

- (1) continue to operate any branch or agency that the [savings association](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) operated immediately before the [savings association](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) became a [bank](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A); and
- (2) establish, acquire, and operate additional branches and agencies at any location within any [State](/usc/12/5301.md?p=16) in which the [savings association](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) operated a branch immediately before the [savings association](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) became a [bank](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A), if the law of the [State](/usc/12/5301.md?p=16) in which the branch is located, or is to be located, would permit establishment of the branch if the [bank](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) were a [State bank](/usc/12/5301.md?p=18-A) chartered by such [State](/usc/12/5301.md?p=16).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–203, title III, § 341, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1540.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in text, is act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, § 2, 64 Stat. 873, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 1811 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1811 of this title and Tables.

The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, referred to in text, is act May 9, 1956, ch. 240, 70 Stat. 133, which is classified principally to chapter 17 (§ 1841 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1841 of this title and Tables.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 1 day after July 21, 2010, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 5301 of this title.