((a)) ** In general** As soon as practicable the Director shall divide the continental United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Territories of Alaska and Hawaii into not less than eight nor more than twelve districts. Such districts shall be apportioned with due regard to the convenience and customary course of business of the institutions eligible to and likely to subscribe for stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank to be formed under this chapter, but no such district shall contain a fractional part of any State. The districts thus created may be readjusted and new districts may from time to time be created by the Director, not to exceed twelve in all. Such districts shall be known as Federal Home Loan Bank districts and may be designated by number. As soon as practicable the Director shall establish, in each district, a Federal Home Loan Bank at such city as may be designated by the Director. Its title shall include the name of the city at which it is established.

((b)) ** Authority to reduce districts** Notwithstanding subsection (a), the number of districts may be reduced to a number less than 8—

((1)) pursuant to a voluntary merger between Banks, as approved pursuant to ; or

((2)) pursuant to a decision by the Director to liquidate a Bank pursuant to .