Transferring Bank or Holding Company Stock to a Trust

Individuals who own shares of bank holding company (or bank) stock often consider transferring such shares to a trust for estate planning purposes. Since a trust is a separate entity, a transfer of bank or bank holding company shares to a trust can raise issues under the Federal Reserve’s Regulation Y, which implements key provisions of both the Bank Holding Company Act (BHC Act) and/or the Change in Bank Control Act (CIBC Act). To assist entities in complying with Regulation Y, staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve have developed a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs), available on the Board’s website.

Last updated: June 11, 2026