Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

Founders Trust Personal Bank

October 18, 2004

Robert E. Feldman, Executive Secretary
Attn: 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:

As President and CEO of Founders Trust Personal Bank, a community bank located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I strongly support the FDIC’s proposal to raise the threshold for the streamlined small bank CRA examination to $1 billion without regard to the size of the bank’s holding company.

Founders Trust takes great pride in its efforts to support our communities. Reinvesting in our own communities has always been an integral part of our corporate culture and philosophy.

The FDIC’s proposal to expand eligibility for the streamlined CRA exam is greatly needed to help alleviate the regulatory and financial burden for smaller community banks. Community banks would still be required to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, and would continue to be so evaluated by their regulator. I join my fellow community bankers across the country in strong support of this proposal, which I consider to be a major improvement in the CRA regulations.

Thank you for your time and kind consideration.

Best regards,

Laurie F. Beard
President & CEO