OCC and ABA Cosponsor Community and Economic Development Conference

Washington — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the American Bankers Association will co-sponsor the 2002 National Community and Economic Development Conference titled "Grow Markets...Grow Profits" in Baltimore, Maryland on March 17-19.

"By cosponsoring this conference the OCC hopes to spark a dialogue among banks about successful strategies for expanding their business opportunities through community development partnerships," said Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. "Participants will explore topics such as, how to reach the growing immigrant population, the benefits of revitalizing urban markets and building economic development strategies in rural communities."

Keynote speakers include Comptroller Hawke; Sen. Paul Sarbanes, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; Nicolas Retsinas, Director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies; and Elizabeth McCaul, New York Superintendent of Banking. Other speakers include representatives from community development corporations, regulatory agencies, community banks, civic leaders and policy analysts from universities and policy organizations.

"This conference provides bankers and other attendees with an opportunity to engage regulators, bankers and community development professionals in discussions about techniques to best achieve their community and economic development goals," said Anna Alvarez Boyd, Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs. "Panel discussions as well as small interactive breakfast sessions will be held with representatives from the federal financial regulatory agencies in order to allow a robust discussion of the current issues facing the community development banking community."

Information about the National Community and Economic Development Conference can be accessed by selecting "Banker Education" on the OCC Internet home page, www.occ.treas.gov, and choosing "Conferences/Seminars."