From: Ferdinand Ramirez [mailto:andyarrow@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 1:00 AM
To: Comments
Subject: SPAM::12 CFR 345
Arrow Imaging Solutions, Inc.
Tampa, Florida 33611
We are a Latino small business owner in Tampa, Florida and your proposal
to reduce the CRA requirements is NOT GOOD for the community, NOT
GOOD for the economy and certainly, NOT GOOD for the country!.
In Florida, this is definitely not the time to make things easier
for these institutions. We have been through 3 and now a possible
4th hurricane and God only know's what until the season ends in November,
2004
We need these banks to come up to the plate and assist our communities
to rebuild and our businesses to recover, expand and create new jobs.
As it stands, these institutions are always looking for the "easy
way out". They give money to the opera, performing arts and
zoo's and call themselves meeting "CRA Responsibilities".
These things all serve a purpose, but they should not be a substitute
for these institutions meeting their responsibilities to the local
communities by assisting the minority community to rebuild, the minority
small business to expand, create job, that in turn will assist families
to purchase homes, etc. If you don't have a job, you can't buy a
house!
At the present time the only thing that minority small businesses
and communities have going for them is the proverbial "big foot
of the CRA " that brings these executives to the table to hear
the concerns of the community and "encourage" them to actively
participate in the economic development and prosperity of the people
who they are so willing to market to and want them to place their
money in their banks.
Small minority businesses are at the forefront for new immigrants
looking for employment and individuals looking for second chances.
They need to be able to easily access capital, qualify for low interest
loans and business lines of credit, everything big business needs
with the same amenities and opportunities, not less.
The proposal to reduce the CRA threshold will widen the loopholes
that already exist in CRA. These banks will delay or totally ignore
their responsibilities to the communities they serve. The gap between
the "have" and "have nots" will widen.
This has happened long enough. Opportunities must be provided that
will allow these emerging markets, (as we are now called...that will
soon be the majority and are already in several states) to participate
in the economic wealth of this nation. If not, then who will support
these institutions in the future. White America is getting old and
the future of our nation is in it's diversity. Look around, the future
Americans are Brown, Black and Asian. Wake up...don't do less, do
more. Reverse your action now!
Porfiria Ramirez and Ferdinand Ramirez
--- Ferdinand Ramirez
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