Dear FDIC Commissioners:

I strongly oppose the FDIC's proposal to allow banks with assets above $250 million to be examined as small banks under the Community Reinvestment Act. This policy would reduce lending, investments and services in low-income communities.

I have worked in the field of community economic development for over twenty years and I assure you that thousands of houses and numerous community facility projects would never have been built in low income and rural areas if there had been no CRA. This proposed size change would result in a reduction of housing and community facility production in low and moderate income areas throughout the country.

Arnold Montgomery
Washington, D.C.