Community Reinvestment
Regulation BB implements the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA), which requires that the federal regulators of banks and thrifts encourage those institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered. The CRA directs the regulatory agencies to assess each institution's record in meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. The CRA also directs the agencies to take these records into account in evaluating the institutions' applications for deposit facilities, such as a merger with another bank.
Regulation BB implements these requirements and addresses a variety of related matters, including the collection, maintenance, and reporting of data about an institution's performance in meeting the credit needs of its community and the institution's public disclosure of materials evaluating or commenting on its performance. The other three federal bank and thrift regulatory agencies have promulgated regulations substantially identical to Regulation BB.
CRA Regulations
Regulations that implement the CRA issued by the four regulatory agencies:
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB)
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
- Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS)
Answers to questions pertaining to CRA regulations, provided by the agencies.
Regulatory Update
Public Evaluations
Performance evaluations and CRA ratings made public. To find out which of the below agencies regulates the institution for which you're looking, or to obtain CRA ratings, visit the FFIEC Web site.
Examination Procedures
- Large Institutions
- Small Institutions
- Limited Purpose and Wholesale Institutions
- Institutions with Strategic Plans
Application Information
Exam Schedules
Additional Information
Information Available from 2010 CRA Hearing at Chicago Fed
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision held a series of joint public hearings to receive public comments as they consider updating their regulations governing procedures for assessing a financial institution's performance under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Chicago Fed hosted on August 12, 2010. If you were unable to attend, you may view the podcasts or a transcript of this hearing.
Banking Agencies Issue Final Community Reinvestment Act Rules
The federal banking agencies approved final Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rules that are intended to reduce regulatory burden on community banks while making CRA evaluations more effective in encouraging banks to meet community development needs.
Community Reinvestment Act Statute
The Act of 1977, and updates from FIRREA in 1989 and GLB in 1999.
