Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

From: Stephen Howard [mailto:SHoward@csc.gen.or.us]
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 4:33 PM
To: Comments
Subject: Community Reinvestment -- RIN 3064-AC50

I oppose the FDIC's proposal to allow banks with assets above $250 million to be examined as small banks under the Community Reinvestment Act. This policy would reduce lending, investments and services in low-income communities.
I worked with small local banks in rural Oregon when the CRA was first mandated. The CRA certainly got the bank's attention and they participated on Affordable Housing Task Forces as well as making loans (construction and long term) into affordable multi-family and single family housing projects. It was good for their business, much to their surprise.