CRA Nuts and Bolts - Five Steps to Pass the Exam Webinar

Writing a dynamic CRA context report can show examiners not only that your financial institution understands the community demonstrate why your CRA program qualifies for a “Satisfactory” or possibly “Outstanding” rating credit needs, but that you are effectively meeting the needs in the assessment areas you serve. We will review the steps required to establish your case and tips for managing the exam.

Learn about the CRA exam process that is used by each of the prudential regulators and the various “tests” that are used to create a rating and public performance evaluation. Some of the unique factors that may be considered include activities that revitalize or stabilize designated disaster areas. Could your financial institution be eligible for consideration? The pandemic probably impacted the customers and business served by your bank. Learn about the FIVE Frequently Asked Questions relating to CRA that were issued by the OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve.

Covered Topics

• Five steps for managing a CRA exam and the importance of developing a CRA strategy
• Tips for banks that are ISB (intermediate small banks) and the transition to CRA reporting when the large bank threshold is reached.
• Learn how to document lending activity in designated disaster areas.
• What’s included in a performance context? Learn how to describe your institution, quantify the ability and capacity of the bank to meet credit needs based on financial data. Learn how to highlight the positive outcomes of your lending focus and business strategy.
• Tips to describe your assessment area including demographic and economic data resources.
• Best practices to deal with CRA-related complaints and potential fair lending issues that can threaten a successful exam.
• Definitions of Community Development Loans and Services
• Ideas for passing the Investment Test portion of the exam
• Overview of the OCC rules that become effective on October 1,2020 but also phases in a framework for small and intermediate banks by January 1, 2024. NOTE: The FDIC and Federal Reserve did NOT join in these new rules.
• Helpful CRA compliance resources and regulatory guidance

Who Should Attend?

This session is “must” for CRA Officers of small, intermediate, and large institutions. The session will also benefit the Board & senior management, credit administration, lenders, compliance, and marketing professional

Continuing Education (CE) Credits

This webinar is recommended for 2.5 CE Credit Hours. Each attendee will receive a Certificate of Attendance for self-reporting of CE Credits.