Big Picture
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exams are performance evaluations conducted by federal regulators to assess how well a financial institution meets the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. Banks receive a CRA rating based on their performance. A strong CRA rating benefits the bank by allowing them to expand through branching or mergers, while a poor rating can restrict these activities. Examinations typically happen periodically, often every two years.
Client Scenario
A small, nationally chartered bank, under the regulatory oversight of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), anticipated a CRA performance exam in the third quarter of 2023. To ensure a positive outcome, the bank needed a comprehensive self-assessment document to showcase their CRA performance throughout the recent evaluation period. Asurity Advisors was selected because of our expertise in CRA regulations and proven track record of success.
Asurity Solutions
Asurity Advisors conducted a review of the bank’s CRA performance by crafting a detailed self-assessment document aligned with the OCC’s official CRA Performance Evaluation format. This OCC-compliant format and comprehensive data analysis ensured the bank was well-positioned to address any inquiries during the official CRA examination. Asurity Advisors’ assistance in preparing the detailed self-assessments instilled confidence in the bank’s leadership regarding their anticipated CRA rating, allowing them to approach the evaluation with preparedness.