OCC Bulletin 2021-12 | March 8, 2021

Community Reinvestment Act: Interagency Frequently Asked Questions Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

To

Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks, Federal Savings Associations, and Federal Branches; Department and Division Heads; All Examining Personnel; and Other Interested Parties

Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively, the agencies) today published a new version of frequently asked questions (FAQ) to assist financial institutions and examiners with determining Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) consideration for activities undertaken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This issuance adds five new FAQs to the 13 interagency FAQs dated May 27, 2020.

Note for Community Banks

This bulletin applies to community banks¹ subject to the CRA.

Highlights

The five new FAQs address

consideration for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program loans as community development, flexible, or innovative lending.
consideration of community development services provided virtually by bank representatives.