FDIC Federal Register Citations

City of Rock Hill (SC)

October 19, 2004

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

RE: RIN 3064-AC50

Dear Mr. Feldman:

I am opposed to the watering down of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) requirements for midsized banks. CRA is vital for increasing home ownership and economic development in lowerincome communities. However, your proposed changes will halt the progress that has been made.

I understand that banks with over $,250 million, in assets must be tested on their number of loans, investments and services to low-and moderate-income communities. But your proposal would eliminate the investment and service requirements for all banks with under $1 billion in assets. This will result in significantly fewer loans, and investments in affordable rental housing, health clinics, community centers and economic development projects.

In the watered-down exam, you would allow mid-sized banks to choose which community development activities they will undertake. Right now, these banks must make community development loans, investments and services. Your proposed test allows banks to choose only one of the three activities. The result will be less community development activity.

You also propose that community development activities in rural areas should benefit any group of individuals instead of only low- and moderate-income individuals. But this will allow banks to cherry-pick and focus on affluent residents or rural areas rather than the lower-income consumers CRA targets. Finally, you would also eliminate publicly available data on the small business lending of mid-sized banks. Without data, community groups and citizens cannot hold banks accountable for lending to small businesses in their neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

Doug Echols
Mayor