FDIC Federal Register Citations

From: LisaBreckenridge [mailto:breck@ctuir.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 3:02 PM
To: Comments
Cc: BarbaraRoloff; LisaGanuelas
Subject: Community Reinvestment -- RIN 3064-AC50

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Department of Economic and Community Development opposes the FDIC's proposal to allow banks with assets above $250 million to be examined as small banks under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This policy would reduce lending, investments and services in low-income communities such as the Umatilla Indian Reservation. We have been working hard to reduce poverty, increase homeownership, foster financial literacy, and help tribal members build assets, and the lending community through CRA has been a very important partner in this effort. The existing CRA has been positive for low-income communities as stronger relationships have been built between lenders and low-income borrowers than ever before. The proposed redefinition will reduce bank accountability to rural and low-income communities. It is actually a step backward. Please maintain the current definition of small banks under the CRA and allow the positive results of CRA to continue to grow.

Lisa Breckenridge
Economic Planner
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR 97801
ph. 541.966-2193
f. 541.276.3262