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Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)

The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA) encourages certain insured depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they are chartered, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institutions.

The CRA requires federal banking agencies to

  • assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including LMI neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution, and
  • take such record into account in its evaluation of an application for a deposit facility by such institution.

On May 5, 2022, the OCC, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) jointly released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to strengthen and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to better achieve the purpose of the CRA. The OCC encourages stakeholders to review the proposed rule and provide comments on or before the close of the comment period on August 5, 2022.

2022 Interagency Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

2021 Final CRA Rule (Based on 1995 CRA Rule)

Rescinded June 2020 Rule

The OCC rescinded the June 2020 Rule in December 2021. Guidance issued to implement the 2020 rule remains in effect for activities conducted October 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021.

Top Tasks

Handbook, Procedures, and Guidance

Additional Resources

National Banks Evaluated on the Basis of a Strategic Plan Under the CRA
Get a list of national banks operating under approved CRA strategic plans and a reference to the authorizing regulation.

Wholesale and Limited Purpose Banks
Get a list of banks designated as wholesale or limited purpose, definitions for these terms, and a reference to the authorizing regulation.

Community Affairs
Get information about best practices and investment opportunities on a broad range of community development topics and access training, workshops and conferences conducted by Community Affairs Officers.


Related News and Issuances

DateIDTitle
05/30/2023 NR 2023-50 OCC Issues Third and Fourth Quarter 2023 CRA Evaluation Schedule
05/19/2023 OCC 2023-14 Prohibition Against Interstate Deposits: Annual Host State Loan-to-Deposit Ratios
05/18/2023 NR 2023-45 Acting Comptroller of the Currency Testifies on Bank Supervision