The Congress declares that it is the purpose of this subchapter to provide for the establishment of international banking and financial corporations operating under Federal supervision with powers sufficiently broad to enable them to compete effectively with similar foreign-owned institutions in the United States and abroad; to afford to the United States exporter and importer in particular, and to United States commerce, industry, and agriculture in general, at all times a means of financing international trade, especially United States exports; to foster the participation by regional and smaller banks throughout the United States in the provision of international banking and financing services to all segments of United States agriculture, commerce, and industry, and, in particular small business and farming concerns; to stimulate competition in the provision of international banking and financing services throughout the United States; and, in conjunction with each of the preceding purposes, to facilitate and stimulate the export of United States goods, wares, merchandise, commodities, and services to achieve a sound United States international trade position. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall issue rules and regulations under this subchapter consistent with and in furtherance of the purposes described in the preceding sentence, and, in accordance therewith, shall review and revise any such rules and regulations at least once every five years, the first such period commencing with the effective date of rules and regulations issued pursuant to section 3(a) of the International Banking Act of 1978, in order to ensure that such purposes are being served in light of prevailing economic conditions and banking practices.

(Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, §25A (par.), formerly §25(a), as added Pub. L. 95–369, §3(b), Sept. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 608; renumbered §25A, Pub. L. 102–242, title I, §142(e)(2), Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2281.)

This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this section”, meaning section 25A of act Dec. 23, 1913, which is classified to this subchapter (§611 et seq.).

Section 3(a) of the International Banking Act of 1978, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 95–369, §3(a), Sept. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 608, which is set out below.

Section is comprised of par. 2 (undesignated) of section 25A of act Dec. 23, 1913, which comprises this subchapter. For complete classification of section 25A of this Act, see Codification note set out under section 611 of this title.

Section 3(a) of Pub. L. 95–369 provided that: “It is the purpose of this section [adding this section, amending sections 614, 615, 618, and 619 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as note under section 247 of this title] to eliminate or modify provisions in section 25(a) [now 25A] of the Federal Reserve Act [this subchapter] that (1) discriminate against foreign-owned banking institutions, (2) disadvantage or unnecessarily restrict or limit corporations organized under section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act in competing with foreign-owned banking institutions in the United States or abroad or (3) impede the attainment of the Congressional purposes set forth in section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act as amended by subsection (b) of this section [adding this section]. In furtherance of such purpose, the Congress believes that the Board should review and revise its rules, regulations, and interpretations issued pursuant to section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act to eliminate or modify any restrictions, conditions, or limitations not required by section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, that (1) discriminate against foreign-owned banking institutions, (2) disadvantage or unnecessarily restrict or limit corporations organized under section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act in competing with foreign-owned banking institutions in the United States or abroad, or (3) impede the attainment of the Congressional purposes set forth in section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act as amended by subsection (b) of this section. Rules and regulations pursuant to this subsection and section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act shall be issued not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of this section [Sept. 17, 1978] and shall be issued in final form and become effective not later than 120 days after they are first issued.”