How to estimate how your performance will look under the new CRA
2024 Regulatory Hot Topics
The Coming Perfect Storm
The Importance of Assessment Areas
Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast Episode: Community Reinvestment Act Reform: A Close Look at the Final Rule
Keeping up with all the new regulations
What’s behind the increase in CRA Exam failures?
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA): Recap and What to Expect in 2014
Recently, the OCC released data on small business, small farm, and community development lending during 2023, compiled by the FFIEC. The 2023 data, reported by 721 lenders, revealed a slight increase in reporting institutions...more
On January 2, the OCC released its CRA performance evaluations that became public during the month of December. The OCC evaluated 16 entities, including national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal...more
Alex Barrage, a partner with Troutman Pepper Locke, was quoted in the January 9, 2025 American Banker article, “CFPB Rules, M&A Standards Most Likely CRA Repeal Targets.”...more
In 2024, the U.S. federal bank regulators were extremely active, with initiatives ranging from antitrust and capital to proposals regarding controlling shareholders and incentive-based compensation. Climate issues and...more
On December 2, the OCC released its CRA performance evaluations that became public during the month of November. The OCC evaluated 19 entities, including national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal...more
During the Biden-Harris Administration, the relationship between financial institutions and their regulators chilled considerably. The financial services industry works daily with its regulators—especially through the...more
While the coming weeks and months will provide more clarity, we already can anticipate some indications of what is in store for bank regulation, supervision, and enforcement in a second Trump Administration. To help navigate...more
When the new 2023 CRA Rule was approved by regulators FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg indicated one of the goals was to “raise the bar” for CRA performance ratings. Now that the final 2023 CRA performance ratings are in it...more
On October 3, the FDIC released an updated list of state nonmember banks examined for compliance under the CRA. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 requires public disclosure of...more
Recent news stories explain the criticism of Senator Warren and Congresswoman Waters directed at banks that are litigating the 2023 CRA rule. But perhaps their frustration should be focused on the regulators who have...more
On October 1, the OCC released its CRA performance evaluations for September. The OCC evaluated 21 entities, including national banks, federal savings associations and insured federal branches of foreign banks. The assessment...more
Readers of this article may think I am referring to Orcas, sometimes known as “killer whales.” But what I am referring to is the new form of Assessment Area in the 2023 CRA Rule. However, the analogy/metaphor may be...more
On September 3, the OCC released its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations for August. The OCC evaluated 17 entities, including national banks, federal savings associations and insured federal branches of...more
I’ve written articles critical of the Section 1071 Rule and the CFPB’s implementation of the new rule. For example, the scheduled “applicable dates” for data recording and reporting make no sense at all. As currently...more
On August 5, the FDIC released an updated list of banks evaluated for compliance with the CRA in May, June, July and August. In May, the FDIC disclosed a list of evaluations of 56 banks, of which two were rated “outstanding,”...more
On July 18, the OCC, FDIC, and the Fed (the federal banking agencies or FBAs) submitted a brief requesting that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit hold oral argument and reverse the U.S. District Court for the...more
Federal banking regulators are asking the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to lift a Texas court injunction barring implementation of new Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rules....more
As any bank professional regulatory compliance professional knows redlining is the hottest issue today and has been since Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the “Combatting Redlining Initiative” in October 2021. Since...more
On July 12, the FDIC, Fed, and OCC released a list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income areas eligible for CRA credit. The list identified regions where banks’ revitalization or stabilization activities...more
Recently, the OCC released its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations for June. The OCC evaluated 21 entities, including national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal branches of foreign...more
When the Supreme Court decided in favor of the plaintiff in Loper Bright Enterprises et al vs. Gina Raimondo it overruled its decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, the so-called “Chevron Decision” which...more
In emails in recent months we've warned bankers about the extremely aggressive enforcement of anti-redlining policies. This is becoming more and more obvious every day as more banks get threatened with referral to the DOJ....more
On June 3, the OCC released its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluations for May. The OCC evaluated 19 entities including national banks, federal savings associations, and insured federal branches of foreign...more
Headlines 1. Supreme Court Upholds the Constitutionality of the CFPB’s Funding Structure The Supreme Court has ruled that the statutory authorization that allows the CFPB to draw funds from the earnings of the Federal Reserve...more
The CFPB has issued a policy statement that provides an analytical framework for identifying what constitutes an abusive act or practice under the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA). The new guidance published...more