CRA Newswire

FEMA: President Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Wisconsin

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Wisconsin to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storm and flooding from Jan. 10-12, 2020. Federal funding is available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis…

FHFA: Evaluation Criteria Strengthened for Duty To Serve Program

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced it is strengthening the evaluation criteria of the Duty to Serve (DTS) Underserved Markets program through the Evaluation Guidance for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).  The updated guidance will ensure the Enterprises’ DTS programs have a significant impact in underserved communities. See the updated Evaluation…

CDFI Fund: Important Reminders for FY 2020 CDFI Program and NACA Program Round Applicants

As a reminder for fiscal year (FY) 2020 Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program) applicants, the deadline for online submission of the SF-424 through Grants.gov for this year’s CDFI Program and NACA Program funding rounds is March 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET.  Applicants must also have created…

Agencies Encourage Financial Institutions to Meet Financial Needs of Customers and Members Affected by Coronavirus

Federal financial institution regulators and state regulators today encouraged financial institutions to meet the financial needs of customers and members affected by the coronavirus. The agencies recognize the potential impact of the coronavirus on the customers, members, and operations of many financial institutions and will provide appropriate regulatory assistance to affected institutions subject to their supervision….

Census Bureau: 2020 Census Invitations Arrive March 12-20

 Ninety-five percent or about 143 million households in the country will receive an initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in their mailboxes between March 12 and 20. The U.S. Census Bureau released informational copies today of the invitations, the enclosed materials, and the subsequent reminders households will receive. These materials can help the…

FFIEC: Updated Guidance on Pandemic Planning Issued

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today updated guidance identifying actions that financial institutions should take to minimize the potential adverse effects of a pandemic. Pandemic preparedness is an important part of a financial institution’s business continuity planning. The guidance provides the Council’s prudent expectations that regulated institutions should periodically review related risk management…

Federal Reserve: CRA Analytics Data Tables Published

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday released a series of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Analytics Data Tables. This data resource is intended to provide insight into the historical relationship between bank lending activity and regulatory assessments. The tables combine Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, CRA small business and small farm loan data, and manually…

OCC: Comptroller Tours Memphis to Discuss Community Reinvestment

Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting and Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant today led a community tour of Memphis to highlight successful examples of and opportunities for financing community reinvestment, economic revitalization, and financial empowerment. The community tour brought together more than 60 bankers and community leaders, including Memphis…

CFPB: Key Steps to Prevent Consumer Harm Announced Including Proposed Whistleblower Award Program

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today announced three steps to advance its strategy on one of its key priorities: preventing consumer harm. The Bureau is: Implementing an advisory opinion program to provide clear guidance to assist companies in better understanding their legal and regulatory obligations through advisory opinions; Amending and reissuing its responsible business…

FEMA: President Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Tennessee

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Tennessee to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding on March 3, 2020. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties.  Assistance…