On March 18th, 2016 NCRC, it’s members and KeyBank signed a landmark $16.5 billion community benefits agreement at NCRC’s annual conference. This agreement will increase capital and bank services for the under served and is a great example of the victories you can achieve by using the Community Reinvestment Act.
Recent Victories
Using the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) NCRC and it’s members have been able to secure meaningful commitments where banks agree to substantially increase their lending and services for the underserved. Here are a few of our recent accomplishments:
- NCRC and KeyBank Announce Landmark $16.5 Billion Community Benefits Agreement
- Huntington Bank and National Community Reinvestment Coalition Announce $16.1 Billion Community Development Plan
- Fifth Third Bank and National Community Reinvestment Coalition Announce $30 Billion Community Development Plan
What is the CRA?
The CRA is a law that requires banks to serve the credit needs of communities where they are chartered, including low- and moderate-income communities. The law promotes neighborhood revitalization and equity building by creating access to responsible home ownership opportunities, basic banking services and capital for small businesses. The CRA also calls on banks to support affordable housing, small business development, social services and neighborhood stabilization in low- and moderate-income communities. Since its inception, advocates such as NCRC have used the CRA to secure trillions of reinvestment dollars for underserved communities.
Click here for a manual on the CRA and here to learn more about the CRA’s widespread benefits.
Community Reinvestment Summits
NCRC hosts community reinvestment summits where stakeholders get together to discuss the most important issues facing their community and how to productively address them through working in coalitions. We have recently convened summits in Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, and Louisiana.
How can you use the CRA?
NCRC offers crucial support to our members on how to use the CRA. NCRC provides research on bank behavior in your community, strategic consulting on how to approach banks, and other assistance to our members that increases their power to create positive outcomes for the neighborhoods they serve. Please contact NCRC for more information and to learn about the benefits of NCRC membership.
Policy Work
NCRC also works with legislators and regulators to strengthen the CRA, so that underserved communities have greater access to credit and capital.
Recent publications and materials on CRA:
- CRA Performance Context: Why it is Important for Community Development and How to Improve it
- CRA: Vital for Neighborhoods, the Country, and the Economy
- NCRC Testimony on the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act and CRA
