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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 October 24, 2023, the OCC, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) jointly issued a final rule to strengthen and modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to better achieve the purpose of the CRA.

2023 Interagency Final Rule on CRA

2021 Final CRA Rule (Based on 1995 CRA Rule)

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.

2022 Community Reinvestment Act NPR (PDF)

CRA 2020 Final Rule
(The 2020 CRA Rule applied to activities between October 2020 and December 2021.)

CRA Illustrative List of Qualifying Activities (PDF)


Related News and Issuances

DateIDTitle
03/01/2024 NR 2024-22 OCC Releases CRA Evaluations for 31 National Banks and Federal Savings Associations
02/29/2024 NR 2024-21 Agencies Host 2024 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference
02/29/2024 NR 2024-20 OCC Issues Second and Third Quarter 2024 CRA Evaluation Schedule