FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

TheU.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development FinancialInstitutions (CDFI) Fund is pleased to announce the beginning ofthe second round of the Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program. ANotice of Funds Availability and the revised interim regulationsfor the program was published today, March 7, 1997, in the FederalRegister. The CDFI Fund intends to make available up to$16.25 million for Bank Enterprise Awards in this round.

TheBEA Program recognizes the key role played by insured depositoryinstitutions (banks and thrifts) in serving the credit needs ofdistressed communities across our nation. In recent years, manyof these traditional financial institutions have increased theirefforts to lend, invest, and provide services in distressedcommunities. By offering incentives for these activities, the BEAProgram builds on these efforts.

TheBEA Program is intended to encourage banks and thrifts to investin and support community development financial institutions(CDFIs) and to increase the lending and services provided indistressed communities by traditional financial institutions.

Inthe first round of the BEA Program, 38 institutions received$13.1 million in awards ranging in size from $3,750 to nearly$2.7 million, with a median award of approximately $100,000.These institutions ranged in asset size from $21 million to over$320 billion.

Thedeadline for applications is April 25, 1997.

TheCDFI Fund is holding a series of regional workshops to provide anoverview of the revised BEA Program regulations, an explanationof the streamlines application materials, and an opportunity toask questions. Each workshop will last approximately 2 and 1/2hours. Bank and thrift representatives interested in attendingshould contact the individual listed below.

BOSTONSAN FRANCISCO
March 13, 9 a.m. March 14, 9 a.m.
Federal Reserve Bank Federal Reserve Bank
600 Atlantic Avenue 101 Market Street
RSVP: Mark Lloret RSVP: Mary Malone
(617) 973-3097 (415) 974-2871

DALLASMIAMI
March 18, 9 a.m. March 19, 9 a.m.
Federal Reserve Bank Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
220 North Pearl Street 9100 NW 36th Street
RSVP: Louisa Quittman RSVP: Jennifer Grier
(202) 622-8103 (404) 589-7374

NEWYORK
March 26, 9 a.m.
The College of Insurance
101 Murray Street
RSVP: Louisa Quittman
(202) 622-8103

Toobtain an application packet, send a written request by facsimilewhich includes the name and title of the requestor, the name ofthe institution, the mailing address, phone number and facsimilenumber to (202) 622-2599.

Forfurther information on the BEA Program, contact Jennifer Jacokesof the CDFI Fund at (202) 622-8662.