Agencies Release List of Distressed or Underserved Nonmetropolitan Middle-Income Geographies
Federal bank regulatory agencies today released the 2024 list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies where certain bank activities are eligible for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit. Under the CRA, the agencies assess a bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and…
FHFA: Public Input Sought on Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s Proposed Duty to Serve Underserved Market Plans for 2025-2027
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today issued a request for input (RFI) on the proposed 2025-2027 Underserved Markets Plans (Plans) submitted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) under the Duty to Serve (DTS) program. The proposed Plans cover the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. “Providing sustainable liquidity for affordable housing…
OCC: Project REACh 2.0 Launched
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced the launch of REACh 2.0 at its Project REACh Financial Inclusion Summit. Project REACh, the Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, brings together leaders from the banking industry, national civil rights organizations, business, and technology to identify and reduce barriers that prevent full, equal,…
OCC: National Financial Capability Month Celebrated in April
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) supports National Financial Capability Month in April, and encourages national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to support this annual commemoration by recommitting their focus on improving the financial capability and financial health of their customers. Banks can promote financial capability through high-quality financial literacy…
CDFI Fund: CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Application Period for FY 2024 Now Open
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) today opened the fiscal year (FY) 2024 application period for the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. A total of up to $500 million in bond guarantee authority is available for Eligible Community Development Financial Institutions (Eligible CDFIs) in FY 2024. Through the CDFI…
Census Bureau: Webinar Scheduled on New “My Community Explorer for Puerto Rico” Tool for Underserved and At-Risk Communities
The U.S. Census Bureau is scheduled to hold a webinar on Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m. ET to show attendees how to use the new “My Community Explorer (MCE) for Puerto Rico 1.0” tool. The tool displays natural disaster layers, such as hurricanes, and shows the impact of significant disasters on at-risk communities and underserved…
HUD: 2023 Update to Equity Action Plan Released, Outlining New Commitments to Advance Equity
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released the 2023 Update to its Equity Action Plan, in coordination with the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government equity agenda. This Equity Action Plan is part of the Department’s efforts to implement the President’s Executive Order on “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” which…
HUD: Proposed Rule Published to Promote Economic Development in Underserved Communities
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Indian Community Development Block Grant Programs (ICDBG) would bolster economic and community development in underserved communities across the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register to update regulations for…
FEMA: $150 Million Announced to Help Underserved Communities Receive Low-Interest Loans for Disaster Resilence Projects
Announcement Triples Amount Available for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program As FEMA launches 2024 as its “Year of Resilience”, the agency is announcing the second funding opportunity for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant program to make communities safer from natural hazards. This program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides capitalization…
SBA: Historic Step Taken to Expand Access to Capital and Fill Lending Gaps in Underserved Communities through the SBLC Program
New Licenses Mark Milestone Achievement in Biden-Harris Administration Efforts to Increase Access to Capital Today, Administrator Isabel Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, announced that the SBA has granted three new Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) licenses to lenders focused…