FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CANTON, TEXAS
September 16, 2004
Mr.
Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary
Attention: Comments/Legal ESS
Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation
550 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20429
Re: Community Reinvestment, RIN Number 3064-AC50;
Proposal to Expand Eligibility for the Streamlined CRA Exam
Dear Robert E. Feldman:
As a community banker, I join my fellow community bankers
throughout the nation in strong support of the FDIC's proposal to
increase the asset size limit of banks eligible for the streamlined
small-bank CRA examination. I also strongly support the elimination
of the separate holding company qualification.
The proposal will greatly alleviate unnecessary paperwork and
examination burden without weakening our commitment to reinvest in
our communities. Reinvesting in our communities is something we do
everyday as a matter of good business. My community bank will not
long survive if my local community doesn't thrive, and that means my
bank must be responsive to community needs and promote and support
community and economic development.
CRA activists who think otherwise are simply ill informed,
misguided, and "out of touch" with reality.
Sincerely,
Ben M. Shirey, II
President/CEO
First National Bank of Canton, Canton, TX
