
Quick tips, CRA concepts and an occasional deep thought…
CRA Today Blog

Driving Impact and Building Trust: The Power of Collaboration Between Compliance Professionals and Lenders in Community Development Lending
Community development lending is a critical tool for driving impact and building stronger communities, but it requires a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management. Compliance professionals and lenders are essential partners in this process,...

Finish Strong, as published in ABA Bank Compliance
Between keeping up with Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) modernization efforts, the finalization of Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and increased fair banking scrutiny, compliance officers have plenty on their plates. No matter what the outcome of the proposed CRA...

Part of a Small CRA Team? Here’s How to Get the Help You Need
Are you part of a small CRA team? Many CRA departments are made up of only one or two people, and this makes it difficult to get everything done. You’ve been charged with meeting the credit needs of your community, which means tracking, managing, and reporting your...

How to Build a Successful CRA Strategy and Action Plan
The new year comes with a lot of exciting possibilities and is a great time to reflect on your CRA program. It’s time to look back at what your program has accomplished in the past year and look forward to what impact you can forge this new year. Creating an annual...

What’s a Capital Stack and How Does it Work?
At some point in your journey as a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer, you will likely find yourself involved in a community-based public-private partnership economic development project. When this happens, your bank may have the opportunity to finance the...

Consumer Loans and the CRA: Weigh Your Options Carefully!
As a CRA officer, you know how important it is to get consideration under the CRA for as many loans, services, and investments as possible. This means that some banks like to include their consumer loans under their lending performance during a CRA exam. While this...
Free Quick Reference Guide
The Top 3 Risks in Your CRA Program and How to Mitigate Them
“A fantastic and quick read!”
“This guide is full of helpful background information about the top 3 risks in CRA, a checklist for each area so you can stay exam ready, and helpful insights from Linda Ezuka, the industry’s top CRA coach and teacher.”
- Avoid the mistake that 95% of banks make with CRA loan reporting.
- Understand how to create the perfect narrative to share with your examiner.
- Adapt to regulatory changes that could lead to your bank being downgraded.