§__.21(b)(2) – 1
Q: Will examiners consider performance context information provided by institutions?
A1. Yes. An institution may provide examiners with any information it deems relevant, including information on the lending, investment, and service opportunities in its assessment area(s). This information may include data on the business opportunities addressed by lenders not subject to the CRA. Institutions are not required, however, to prepare a formal needs assessment. If an institution provides information to examiners, the Agencies will not expect information other than what the institution normally would develop to prepare a business plan or to identify potential markets and customers, including low- and moderate-income persons and geographies in its assessment area(s). The Agencies will not evaluate an institution’s efforts to ascertain community credit needs or rate an institution on the quality of any information it provides.
Source: Interagency Questions & Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment | July 2016