Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
Share This Page:
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.
2021 Final CRA Rule (Based on 1995 CRA Rule)
On December 14, 2021, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a final rule to rescind the June 2020 CRA rule and replace it with a rule based on the rules adopted jointly by the federal banking agencies in 1995, as amended. The final rule became effective on January 1, 2022, and aligns the OCC’s CRA rules with the current Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation rules, thereby facilitating the ongoing interagency work to modernize the CRA regulatory framework and create consistency for all insured depository institutions."
- OCC Bulletin 2021-61, Community Reinvestment Act: Final Rule to Rescind and Replace Community Reinvestment Act Rule Issued in 2020
- News Release 2021-133, OCC Issues Final Rule to Rescind Its 2020 Community Reinvestment Act Rule
- Interagency Questions and Answers on Community Reinvestment
- OCC Questions and Answers on CRA for Bank Customers
- OCC Frequently Asked Questions for Banks Regarding COVID-19
- Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) CRA Page
Rescinded June 2020 Rule
The OCC issued a CRA final rule on December 14, 2021 (2021 final rule). The 2021 final rule rescinds and replaces the OCC's CRA rule published on June 5, 2020, and is effective on January 1, 2022. Guidance issued to implement the 2020 rule remains in effect for activities conducted October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.
CRA Performance Evaluations
- OCC Bulletin 2020-99 confirmed that the OCC would continue to apply the examination procedures used under the 1995 CRA rule (1995 rule).
- Examinations in process and scheduled for 2022 will not be affected by the implementation of the CRA final rule announced in OCC Bulletin 2021-61. CRA evaluations are based on the rules and guidance in effect at the time the activity was conducted.
- Guidance regarding the rescinded June 2020 rule remains in effect for activities conducted between October 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The OCC will issue additional FAQs (in process) and additional guidance at a later date.
- OCC Bulletin 2021-61, Community Reinvestment Act: Final Rule to Rescind and Replace Community Reinvestment Act Rule Issued in 2020
- OCC Bulletin 2021-5, Community Reinvestment Act: Bank Type Determinations, Distressed and Underserved Areas, and Banking Industry Compensation Provisions of the June 2020 CRA
- OCC Bulletin 2020-99, Community Reinvestment Act: Key Provisions of the June 2020 CRA Rule and Frequently Asked Questions
- OCC News Release 2020-63, OCC Finalizes Rule to Strengthen and Modernize Community Reinvestment Act Regulations
- CRA Final Rule
- CRA Illustrative List of Qualifying Activities (PDF)
- Interpretive Letter #1177, "Community Reinvestment Act Qualifying Activities Conducted by a National Bank's or Savings Association's Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Including Nonbank Parent and Sister Companies of a National Bank or Savings Association Under Certain Circumstances, Can Receive CRA Credit Under the June 2020 CRA Final Rule"
Top Tasks
Search CRA Database
Search national banks and federal savings associations' CRA ratings and performance evaluations.
View CRA Exam Schedule
Get a list of national banks and federal savings associations scheduled for CRA examinations in the next quarter.
Handbook, Procedures, and Guidance
- OCC Comptroller's Handbook, CRA Examination Procedures
- CRA Examination Procedures for Small Institutions (PDF)
- CRA Examination Procedures for Intermediate Small Banks (PDF)
- CRA Examination Procedures for Large Banks (PDF)
- CRA Examination Procedures for Limited Purpose and Wholesale Institutions (PDF)
- CRA Examination Procedures for Institutions With Strategic Plans (PDF)
- CRA Small Bank Compliance Guide (PDF)
- Interpretive Letter #1177, Community Reinvestment Act Qualifying (CRA) Activities Conducted by a National Bank's or Savings Association's Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Including Nonbank Parent and Sister Companies of a National Bank or Savings Association Under Certain Circumstances, Can Receive CRA Credit Under the June 2020 CRA Final Rule
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 District Community Affairs Officers.
Related News and Issuances
| Date | ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 01/03/2022 | NR 2022-1 | OCC Releases CRA Evaluations for 23 National Banks and Federal Savings Associations |
| 12/30/2021 | OCC 2021-67 | Community Reinvestment Act: Revision of Small and Intermediate Small Bank and Savings Association Asset Thresholds |
| 12/21/2021 | NR 2021-141 | Federal Bank Regulatory Agencies Release 2020 Small Business, Small Farm, and Community Development Lending Data |