Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

Soy Capital Bank and Trust

October 1, 2004

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

Dear Mr. Feldman:

As an executive in a community bank in Central Illinois, I write in strong support of both the FDIC's proposal to increase the asset size limit of banks eligible for the streamlined small bank CRA examination and the elimination of the separate holding company qualification.

Please consider the following points:

• The proposal will alleviate unnecessary paperwork and examination burden, thereby freeing up human and financial resources that can be redirected to the community and its welfare.
  
• The proposal will not weaken our commitment to reinvest in our communities. Our communities are the source of our success; community and economic development are vital to the growth of our bank.
  
• A broader definition of "qualified investments" is more flexible and more appropriate for a bank between $250 million and $1 billion and will allow us to choose investments that actually support our own local economies and residents.

The proposal will help rural banks meet the special needs of their communities.

By easing the regulatory burden, the FDIC can assist community banks as they provide committed service to smaller, rural or depressed communities.

Thank you for your prompt consideration.

Sincerely,
Cathy L. Ashby, CPA
Business Plan Coordinator Soy Capital Bank and Trust