My bank will be considered a "large bank" for CRA purposes for the first time in 2002. I am concerned that no HMDA data analysis (or any other type of lending analysis for that matter) is being performed. Can anyone suggest software that will assist us in this? What can I expect this to cost? Thanks for any information!

You could go from software you have, such as XL, to outsourcing with a vendor such as PCi, crahelp.com (Don Narup, a frequent poster here) or Centrax. These are just a few. You can outsource it all or use tools they provide to do the analysis yourself.

Talk to the vendors and look at what they offer to determine what price configuration provides you with the results you want. You could go from a time/personnel intensive 0 additional cost to thousands of dollars a year.

You can also receive additional benefits that go from HMDA to CRA to fair lending to market research, depending on the tools you get.

We have just gone through our first year as a large bank reportable. We have used the services of Don Narup and found them to be excellent. His address is:

CRA Information Services
7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.-Suite 109
San Diego, CA 92111

tel: (858) 573-2995
fax: (858) 573-2998

e-mail "compliance@crahelp.com"

web site: www.crahelp.com

Good Luck!!

One thing to be aware of is that even though you may have assets over $250mm, your next CRA evaluation may not necessarily be conducted under the large bank rules. Your examiners need at least one year of large bank reporting data to analyze before you can be assessed under the large bank rules. If you have a CRA exam scheduled for 2002, it will probably be performed using the small abnk guidelines.