Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

September 21, 2004

Mr. Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary
Attention: Comments/Legal ESS
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429

RE: Community Reinvestment, RIN number 3064-AC50; Proposal to Expand Eligibility for the Streamlined CRA Exam

Dear Mr. Feldman:

Stick to your decision on the $1 billion streamlined CRA exam proposal.

As you know, I am a little, $45 million total asset bank, and your decision has no direct effect on me. However, my two in-town banking competitors are both over $250 million, and I would love to see them quit servicing this community as the special interest groups are predicting. I would pick up their customers (banking is very competitive) immediately, and they know this.

The special interest groups are wrong. I do not know of a community in Montana that lacks or desires more local financial services or of a financial services provider that can afford to lose a block of its business. I assume it is the same in other states. Do not let these special interest groups scream "foul," because the "foul" has not and will not happen. Let FDIC's $1 billion streamlined CRA exam proposal pass.

Sincerely,
John L. Franklin
President & CEO