Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA) encourages certain insured depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they are chartered, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institutions.
The CRA requires federal banking agencies to
assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including LMI neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such institution, and
take such record into account in its evaluation of an application for a deposit facility by such institution.
Note: The OCC continues to assess banks' CRA performance under the 1995/2021 regulatory framework. The text of the 1995/2021 regulation can be found in: (i) the 2022, 2023, or 2024 bound versions of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations; (ii) the historical version of the OCC's CRA regulation as of March 29, 2024, in the eCFR; (iii) appendix G to 12 CFR 25 in the eCFR; or (iv) PDF form .
Top Tasks
Qualifying Activity Confirmation
Visit the CRA Qualifying Activity Confirmation Request page.
Search national banks and federal savings associations' CRA ratings and performance evaluations.
Get a list of national banks and federal savings associations scheduled for CRA examinations in the next quarter.
Handbook, Procedures, and Guidance
OCC Comptroller's Handbook, CRA Examination Procedures
CRA Examination Procedures for Small Institutions (PDF)
CRA Examination Procedures for Intermediate Small Banks (PDF)
CRA Examination Procedures for Large Banks (PDF)
CRA Examination Procedures for Limited Purpose and Wholesale Institutions (PDF)
CRA Examination Procedures for Institutions With Strategic Plans (PDF)
CRA Small Bank Compliance Guide (PDF)
Additional Resources
National Banks Evaluated on the Basis of a Strategic Plan Under the CRA
Get a list of national banks operating under approved CRA strategic plans and a reference to the authorizing regulation.
Wholesale and Limited Purpose Banks
Get a list of banks designated as wholesale or limited purpose, definitions for these terms, and a reference to the authorizing regulation.
Get information about best practices and investment opportunities on a broad range of community development topics and access training, workshops and conferences conducted by Community Affairs Officers.
2021 CRA Final Rule (PDF)
OCC Bulletin 2021-5, Community Reinvestment Act: Bank Type Determinations, Distressed and Underserved Areas, and Banking Industry Compensation Provisions of the June 2020 CRA
(The 2020 CRA Rule applied to activities between October 2020 and December 2021.)
CRA Illustrative List of Qualifying Activities (PDF)
OCC Questions and Answers on CRA for Bank Customers
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) CRA Page
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