CRA Today

It is estimated that approximately 95% of banks underreport their community development loans, compromising their lending performance. One of the primary reasons for this vast underreporting is that loans with a primary economic development purpose are often overlooked. These loans include financing small businesses and retaining jobs for low- and moderate-income people. In many cases, these loans are made to America's small businesses, such as garbage haulers, restaurants, and other similar enterprises, the businesses you organically serve day in and day out. And your bank is already providing them, they are just waiting to be identified and documented. That is why I am hosting the Community Development Loan Challenge - where we will work to identify and document these often overlooked loans together. Five loans, identified and documented, in five days. Including those loans within the Economic Development 'hook’. Learn more and join the Community Development Loan Challenge right here: https://lnkd.in/gmZhb96k

Managing a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program within a financial institution can be challenging, especially with competing priorities and the evolving nature of compliance. As we begin a new month, it’s the perfect time to focus on the key strategies that will ensure your CRA program thrives. Take a deeper dive into how to strengthen your CRA program, right here. Stay up to date and in the know—subscribe to our weekly newsletter today! #cra #crajourney #cratraining #communitydevelopment #communityreinvestmentact

A consistent theme among CRA professionals is that CD Loan identification and data mining are a burdensome and onerous process. What we want you to know is that you are likely sitting on a gold mine of CD Loans right now. With a bit of experienced guidance I am confident that you could identify and document multiple loans in one week! That is why we are hosting a Community Development Loan Challenge: https://lnkd.in/gmZhb96k Over the course of four days, I am going to come beside you in fast paced daily sessions to identify and document multiple community development loans that will survive examiner scrutiny. What do you say - are you up for the challenge? Learn more and join the Community Development Loan Challenge here: https://lnkd.in/gmZhb96k

Continuous improvement and proactive strategies are key to effectively addressing community credit needs. To move the needle on potential gaps, banks should focus not just on compliance but on enhancing their overall performance over time. This involves regularly: • Reviewing and updating practices • Learning from past experiences • Staying informed about changes in regulations and evolving community needs Collaboration across the bank is vital to gather relevant information and ensure a comprehensive approach to CRA compliance. Engagement with various departments ensures a holistic and informed strategy, which in turn leads to better outcomes. Take a deeper dive into some proactive steps that banks can implement to create a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement, right here. Stay up to date and in the know—subscribe to our weekly newsletter today! #cra #crajourney #cratraining #communitydevelopment #communityreinvestmentact 

CRA Today would like to congratulate Angela Crawford, CRCM,CFCS, CRACP of Heritage Bank on achieving her Community Reinvestment Act Certified Professional (CRACP) designation! The CRACP program prepares bankers to meet the challenges of the complex role of a CRA professional. To earn the CRACP designation, participants are required to attend extensive education programs, obtain pertinent experience, and complete a formal assessment of their knowledge of the CRA and its application, including a written narrative. Angela, thank you for allowing CRA Today to be part of your journey! 

After a series of legal challenges, Section 1071 implementation dates have been updated, giving financial institutions additional time to devise a plan. Section 1071 will impact many facets of your institution, affecting everything from your front-line commercial staff to your back-office underwriters, and from your CMS to your Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending programs. Ensuring data integrity and strengthening controls should be a top priority. CRA Today is teaming up with Anders CPAs + Advisors to bring banks a crash course on how to prepare for 1071 and its impact on CRA. Join Anders audit and assurance partner and compliance and loan review practice leader Brad Stumpe, CPA, CRCM and CRA Today, and CRA Hub founder Linda Ezuka for a detailed discussion into actionable steps institutions like yours can take to prepare for the new rule. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gnTawBqW Get Ready to Learn: • Strategies to implement 1071 in your programs • When financial institutions should start working on their controls • How to prepare for impacts on your CRA and Fair Lending programs • What improvements you should make to your CMS • What you need to know about the data firewall Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gnTawBqW

Performance context is a critical component for explaining and defending Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance metrics. It involves providing additional information that helps explain the numbers and metrics being evaluated. This practice allows banks to proactively present their strengths and weaknesses, rather than leaving it to examiners to draw their own conclusions. Take a deeper dive into understanding and utilizing performance context, right here. Stay up to date and in the know—subscribe to our weekly newsletter today! #cra #crajourney #cratraining #communitydevelopment #communityreinvestmentact 

🎉 Today, we’re celebrating a milestone close to our heart – CRA Today's 4th Hubiversary! 🎉 What started as a dream in 2019 has become a vibrant community of CRA professionals who support, inspire, and learn from each other. When Linda Ezuka first shared her brave idea of a peer community – but those closest to her believed in her vision.  To our founding members who joined us four years ago ... your courage, trust, and commitment have shaped this incredible journey. 💫 At the time, the decision to launch the Hub felt brave and uncertain. And here we are, four years later – stronger than ever. Your insights and contributions have been the foundation of our success. Together, we’ve created something truly special – a community like no other, built on your support and passion. A special shout-out to two original believers, Stacy Caswell and Beverly Lyle, who took a leap of faith and joined us at the very beginning. Your belief in CRA Today's vision is what this community was built upon. We are beyond grateful and excited for what comes next. Let’s keep growing, learning, and making an impact together! ✨ #cra #crajourney #craofficers #communityofpeers #communitydevelopment #communityreinvestment 

Community development loans can significantly impact local economies, particularly when they support small businesses. However, the economic development hook is often overlooked. Let's dive deeper into how to identify and document these loans effectively, right here. Stay up to date and in the know—subscribe to our weekly newsletter today! #cra #crajourney #cratraining #communitydevelopment #communityreinvestmentact

CRA Today would like to congratulate our very own Kelli Diserens, CRACP of Independent Bank Group Inc on achieving her Community Reinvestment Act Certified Professional (CRACP) designation! In order to earn the CRACP designation, Kelli was required to attend education programs, including the CRA Fundamentals. Bankers obtaining this certification must demonstrate pertinent experience, and complete a formal assessment of their knowledge of the CRA and its application, including a written narrative. Kelli - a very heart felt congratulations to you! We are proud of you and your accomplishment! ❤️ Kelli's journey to CRACP started with CRA Fundamentals. Our fall cohort begins next week - learn more and enroll here: https://lnkd.in/grS86P6c #cra #compliance #leadership #CRACP