Highlights:
As a result of the changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations in 2005, subsequent changes to the Interagency Q&As to reflect those regulatory changes, and the need to revise certain Interagency Q&As issued in 2001, the federal banking and thrift regulatory agencies have developed the attached new and revised Interagency Q&As and are seeking public comment on them.

• Some of the revisions are intended to encourage institutions to work with homeowners who are unable to make mortgage payments, noting that institutions can receive CRA consideration for foreclosure prevention programs for low- and moderate-income homeowners, consistent with the interagency Statement on Working with Mortgage Borrowers issued on April 17, 2007.
• The revisions clarify that institutions of all sizes should receive favorable consideration for providing credit in a manner that is responsive to the needs of their communities. Such activities include, for example, offering affordable small loan programs.
• There are nine new Interagency Q&As as well as substantive and technical revisions to existing ones.

Distribution:
FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Suggested Routing:
CRA Officers, Compliance Officers, and
Chief Executive Officers

Related Topics:
12 CFR Part 345

Interagency Statement on Working With Mortgage Borrowers

Attachment:
Proposed Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment - (PDF Help)

Contact:
Faye Murphy, Fair Lending Specialist, Compliance
Policy and Examination Support, fmurphy@fdic.gov
or (202) 898-6613; or
Mira Marshall, Acting Chief, CRA and Fair Lending
Section, mmarshall@fdic.gov or (202) 898-3912

Printable Format:
FIL-63-2007 - PDF 34k (PDF Help)

Note:
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2007/index.html.

To receive FILs electronically, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/fil.html.