The US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is working on proposals aimed at ensuring asset managers do not seek too much influence over the banks in which they hold large stakes.

Republican board member Jonathan McKernan and the Democratic chair Martin Gruenberg are each crafting measures that would demand new requirements of funds that hold more than 10 per cent of a bank’s shares to ensure they remain “passive” investors. One or both could come before the banking regulator’s governing body this month.

The FDIC’s interest has spooked the asset management sector. Industry groups argue tougher regulation could raise compliance costs and lower demand and liquidity for bank stocks if the new rules make it harder for investors to take large stakes.