FDIC Federal Register Citations

Saratoga National Bank

September 29, 2004

Mr. Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary
Attn: Comments/Legal ESS
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429 I

Dear Mr. Feldman,

Saratoga National Bank strongly supports the FDIC's proposal to raise the threshold for the streamlined small bank CRA examination to $1 billion without regard to the size of the bank's holding company. This would greatly relieve the regulatory burden placed on small banks.

We also support the addition of community development criteria for community banks with more than $500 million in assets. As all regulatory agencies know, it has proven nearly impossible for many small banks to find CRA qualified investments in their community. Despite that, they still do an outstanding job of serving their local community.

Thank you for recognizing that one size does not fit all when it comes to CRA.

With Regards

Raymond O'Conor
President & CEO