Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

From: Shelby Mertes [mailto:shelby@ctpartnershiphousing.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 8:59 AM
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. We desperately need banks to be partners in our efforts to revitalize low-income communities.

Shelby Mertes
Community Outreach Coordinator
Partnership for Strong Communities
The Lyceum
227 Lawrence Street
Hartford, CT