A Look Inside

The four federal banking regulatory agencies completed their congressionally mandated review of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) nearly a year ago.  That review produced some of the most significant changes in the law’s 29-year history.  The definition of “community development” was broadened in an effort to provide more flexibility for institutions serving rural locales as well as federally designated disaster areas.  The review also sought to reduce the regulatory burden on small banks with assets between $250 million and $1 billion and to provide them with more flexibility in complying with CRA while still encouraging them to lend and invest in their communities.

Full Story...

Is the Intermediate Small Bank Exam Right for Your Bank?

Nearly a year has passed since the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, working closely with the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, revised the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulation.  One of the most significant changes was the creation of a new type of CRA evaluation for medium-sized banks.

Full Story...

New CRA Help for Rural Communities

Recognizing that rural areas have lending, investment, and service needs that are quite different from those of urban geographies, the federal banking and thrift regulatory agencies made a number of important changes last year in the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)—including a revised definition of community development in rural areas. This expanded definition, which is applicable to institutions of all sizes, supports and encourages CRA-related activities in rural communities.

Full Story...