Comments due on FDIC/OCC CRA proposal

The FDIC and the OCC have announced a proposal to modernize the agencies’ regulations under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) that have not been substantively updated for nearly 25 years. The proposed rules are intended to increase bank activity in low- and moderate-income communities where there is significant need for credit, more responsible lending, greater access to banking services, and improvements to critical infrastructure. The proposals will clarify what qualifies for credit under the CRA, enabling banks and their partners to better implement reinvestment and other activities that can benefit communities. The agencies will also create an additional definition of “assessment areas” tied to where deposits are located—ensuring that banks provide loans and other services to low- and moderate-income persons in those areas.

Comptroller Otting and FDIC Chairman McWilliams issued statements regarding the publication of the joint notice of proposed rulemaking to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations. Comments on the proposal will be accepted for 60 days following Federal Register publication.

UPDATE: Published at 85 FR 1204 on 1/9/2020, with a 60-day comment period ending 3/9/2020.
UPDATE: The FDIC and OCC announced an extension of the comment period through April 8, 2020. See our Top Story for details.