Out-of-state banks establishing branches
Wis. Stat. § 221.0904
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(ac) “Affiliate” has the meaning given in s. 221.0302 (1g) (a).
(ag) “Commercial activities” has the meaning given in s. 221.0302 (1g) (c).
(am) “Home state” has the meaning given in s. 221.0903 (1) (b).
(b) “Out-of-state bank” means any bank, as defined in 12 USC 1813 (a) (1), with a home state other than this state.
(c) “State bank” has the meaning given in s. 221.0903 (1) (e).
(2) In general. No out-of-state bank may establish a branch in this state unless all of the following apply:
(a) The laws of the home state of the out-of-state bank allow the out-of-state bank to establish a branch in this state.
(b) The division determines under sub. (3) (b) that the laws of the home state of the out-of-state bank are reciprocal with respect to a state bank establishing a branch in that state.
(c) The out-of-state bank complies with the notice requirements under sub. (4).
(3) Reciprocity.
(a) The division shall periodically publish a list of states that the division has found have laws that are reciprocal for purposes of sub. (2) (b). An out-of-state bank with a home state for which the division has made no such determination may request, on a form prescribed by the division, that the division make a determination regarding the home state.
(b) The division shall make determinations under par. (a) in writing. The division may not determine that the laws of a state are reciprocal under par. (a) unless the division finds that the laws of that state allow a state bank to establish a branch in the state under terms and conditions that are substantially similar to the terms and conditions under this section. In making such a finding, the division shall consider, at a minimum, whether the laws of that state discriminate in any way against a state bank and whether the laws of that state impose regulatory burdens that are substantially more restrictive than the requirements under this section that apply to an out-of-state bank seeking to establish a branch in this state.
(4) Notice.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), an out-of-state bank may not establish a branch in this state without providing prior notice to the division. The division shall promulgate rules specifying the requirements and procedures for making such notice. The rules shall allow an out-of-state bank to provide notice by submitting to the division a copy of any notice or application regarding the proposed branch that the out-of-state bank submits to the regulatory authority of its home state or the appropriate federal regulatory authority.
(b) If an out-of-state bank establishes a branch in this state pursuant to this section, the out-of-state bank is not required to provide notice for any subsequent branches established in this state.
(4m) Location restrictions for branches of out-of-state banks.
(a) General. Except as provided in par. (c), no out-of-state bank may directly or indirectly establish or maintain in this state a branch that is located within a 1.5-mile radius of premises or property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, by an affiliate of the out-of-state bank that engages in commercial activities. No out-of-state bank may circumvent the prohibition in this paragraph by first establishing a branch and then locating, or attempting to influence or facilitate the location of, an office of the out-of-state bank’s affiliate engaged in commercial activities within a 1.5-mile radius of the branch location.
(b) Certification of compliance. Each out-of-state bank that establishes or maintains a branch in this state shall certify to the division that the location of any such branch complies with par. (a).
(c) Exemptions. This subsection does not apply to any branch of an out-of-state bank that was approved by the division on or before April 2, 2008.
(5) Additional branching authority. An out-of-state bank that establishes a branch in this state pursuant to this section may establish additional branches in this state to the same extent as a state bank.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/221.0904Fetched: 10/7/2026