12 CFR 225.81 – What is a financial holding company?
(a) Definition. A financial holding company is a bank holding company that meets the requirements of this section.
(b) Requirements to be a financial holding company. In order to be a financial holding company:
(1) All depository institutions controlled by the bank holding company must be and remain well capitalized;
(2) All depository institutions controlled by the bank holding company must be and remain well managed; and
(3) The bank holding company must have made an effective election to become a financial holding company.
(c) Requirements for foreign banks that are or are owned by bank holding companies—(1) Foreign banks with U.S. branches or agencies that also own U.S. banks. A foreign bank that is a bank holding company and that operates a branch or agency or owns or controls a commercial lending company in the United States must comply with the requirements of this section, § 225.82, and §§ 225.90 through 225.92 in order to be a financial holding company. After it becomes a financial holding company, a foreign bank described in this paragraph will be subject to the provisions of §§ 225.83, 225.84, 225.93, and 225.94.
(2) Bank holding companies that own foreign banks with U.S. branches or agencies. A bank holding company that owns a foreign bank that operates a branch or agency or owns or controls a commercial lending company in the United States must comply with the requirements of this section, § 225.82, and §§ 225.90 through 225.92 in order to be a financial holding company. After it becomes a financial holding company, a bank holding company described in this paragraph will be subject to the provisions of §§ 225.83, 225.84, 225.93, and 225.94.