Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

From: Kenneth Schlather [mailto:ks47@cornell.edu]
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 10:47 AM
To: Comments
Subject: RIN number 3064-AC50

Robert E. Feldman
Executive Secretary
Attention: Comments/Legal ISS
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429-9990.
Re: RIN 3064-AC50

Gentlemen Re RIN 3064-AC50:

I strongly oppose the proposed rule changing the Community Reinvestment Act regulations. The proposed change would allow banks with assets above $250 million (up to $1 billion) to be examined as small banks under the Community Reinvestment Act. More than 650 banks controlling more than 25% of the assets of all banks with assets of $1 Billion or less would qualify for less stringent examination with respect to the CRA, and this policy would reduce lending, investments and services in low-income communities. The net effect would be to undermine low and moderate income communities. Please do not adopt this rule.

Respectfully,

Ken Schlather PhD
Executive Director
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
615 Willow Ave.
Ithaca, NY 14850
phone: 607 272 2292
e-mail: ks47@cornell.edu