BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20551

DIVISION OF CONSUMER
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

CA 06-9

April 10, 2006

TO THE OFFICERS AND MANAGERS IN CHARGE OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS SECTIONS:

SUBJECT: Consolidation of Interagency CRA Examination Procedures

Members of the FFIEC Task Force on Consumer Compliance recently approved the attached revised Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination procedures for Large Banks, Small Banks, Wholesale/Limited Purpose Banks, and Strategic Plan Banks. The revisions incorporate the CRA regulatory changes published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2005 (70 Federal Register 44256), by:

• Conforming language pertaining to changes in the definition of community development;
• Referencing the consideration of illegal credit practices and affiliate activity; and
• Updating certain geographic area terminology to ensure consistency with the CRA and its implementing regulation, Regulation BB.

In an effort to consolidate all current CRA examination guidance in one location, this CA letter also makes several administrative changes to the existing set of relevant CA letters. First, we are rescinding CA 97-04 and 95-3, which contained previous versions of the CRA examination procedures, and at the same time are incorporating the revised procedures referenced above, as well as the Instructions for Writing Public Evaluations, and the FFIEC Community Contact Form. Second, we updated the Instructions for Writing Public Evaluations to reflect the current CRA statute and regulations. Third, we are rescinding CA 05-5, which contains the Intermediate Small Bank Examination Procedures, but are simultaneously incorporating them into this CA letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Timothy Burniston, Manager, Reserve Bank Oversight (202-452-3488), or Beverly Smith, Manager, Applications and Special Projects Section (202-452-5291).

Sincerely,
(signed)

Sandra F. Braunstein
Director

(1) Large Bank CRA Examination Procedures (1,006 KB PDF)
(2) Small Bank CRA Examination Procedures (720 KB PDF)
(3) Wholesale / Limited Purpose CRA Examination Procedures (493 KB PDF)
(4) Strategic Plan CRA Examination Procedures (344 KB PDF)
(5) Intermediate Small Bank CRA Examination Procedures (815 KB PDF)
(6) Instructions for Writing Public Evaluations (186 KB PDF)
(7) FFIEC Community Contact Form (75 KB PDF)

Supersedes: CA letters CA 05-5, CA 97-4 and CA 95-3