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Federal Register Publications

FDIC Federal Register Citations



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FDIC Federal Register Citations


homeWORD

September 16, 2004

John M. Reich
Vice Chairman
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429

Dear Mr. Reich:

Despite the successes locally and nationally of community investment, the banks and thrift institutions that provided the loans and investments to build new homes, businesses, and community facilities may no longer have the impetus to do so if you change the CRA exam threshold.

We have been informed by our association, the National Congress for Community Economic Development that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is considering changes to weaken the Community Reinvestment Act.

it is estimated that 2,000 financial institutions would no longer be evaluated on their investment or services to low- and moderate-income communities. These banks have assets of nearly $1 trillion, and an estimated $5 billion of private capital for affordable housing and community development over the next few years.

These proposed rule changes would have a devastating effect on affordable housing investment in our state and elsewhere throughout the nation, particularly in rural areas.

In the past eight years our organization have built 50 homes and educated over 2000 households about homebuyer needs and opportunities. homeWORD coordinates the Home$tart program for eight banks and has been a model for how banks can work closely with community development organizations to support law- and moderate- incomes families buying their first homes. We have increased property values and the quality of life for hundreds of residents to our community.

We are very concerned that this step is being taken without Congressional action. Our legislators know that without financial partners, our efforts to revitalize our community would be nearly impossible.

The FDIC should be strengthening incentives for financial institutions to invest in the communities that provide homes, jobs, and economic opportunities to working families. Please do not raise the CRA exam threshold.

Sincerely,
Betsy Hands,
Community Outreach Coordinator
homeWORD

Last Updated 09/27/2004 regs@fdic.gov

Last Updated: August 4, 2024