Outstanding: A Practitioner's Guide to CRA Exam Readiness

Outstanding: A Practitioner's Guide to CRA Exam Readiness

*** From the creator of CRA Today—the banking industry’s most comprehensive resource for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) compliance, training, community development finance, and CDFI initiatives—this book is the definitive guide on CRA professional development and success.*** The CRA is the most subjective and often misunderstood consumer compliance regulation. In Outstanding , Linda Ezuka demystifies preparation and readiness for the CRA examination process, using industry best practices and a little bit of regulatory pixie dust. Enacted by Congress in 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) encourages banks to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered, consistent with a bank’s safe and sound operations, by requiring the federal banking regulatory agencies to examine banks’ records for meeting the credit needs of their entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Are you ready to lead your bank’s community development program impact into the 21st century. If you want to reach CRA target goals, identify performance gaps, remediate your bank’s deficiencies, and obtain an “Outstanding” rating, you won’t want to miss these step-by-step strategies. But first a warning… If you are looking for a quick shortcut to get through your bank's CRA examination, this book is not for you. If you are only interested in the technical aspects of compliance with regulatory citations throughout, this book is not for you. But if you are a new(er) CRA practitioner or a seasoned bank professional looking to open the doors of possibility and forge solutions for greater impact, this could be the most important book you read this year! This book aims to reduce uncertainty about the subjective aspects of the CRA regulation, to deliver practitioner-based and pragmatic, step-by-step strategies on everything from preparing for your first CRA exam to refining your approach for future exams, and to help you effectively manage your bank’s risk management needs with sustainable community impact. Outstanding is about more than just the technical aspects of CRA readiness and compliance. You will also discover… How to master the art of CRA program management even if this is your first exam or you're just starting out - The #1 tool for CRA exam prep! - The 3 most important foundational elements to build a successful CRA program - The simple strategies that will help you reach CRA target goals , identify program gaps, and remediate your bank’s deficiencies. - How to get executive management buy-in to build a compliance culture with leadership from the top - Why you should never exclude internal stakeholders from your bank's CRA exam preparation - How to leverage the CIDR as the ultimate roadmap to exam prep - The winning approach to issue management - What to do if you need to defend your CRA performance - Curated tips from top CRA practitioners in the field - And MORE! So for all of you who have found yourselves part of the CRA program (by surprise or on purpose), this book is dedicated to you. This won’t be heavy on citations and regulatory resources, we have enough of that in our industry already. Instead, let this be your CRA guide, whether you are newer to CRA, preparing for your first CRA exam, or looking to refine your approach for future exams. I am obsessed with supporting your CRA journey. The principles found in this book, if implemented, will serve you well as a strong foundation for CRA success. I can’t promise a linear path to compliance and impact, but I can promise, if done right, it is worth it. Don’t forget to stop to reflect on why this all matters, and how your role in this creates a ripple effect of impact in our communities. "CRA officers were once left to navigate the CRA on their own, but Linda has filled this gap in the industry. Instead of preparing for your next CRA exam alone, Linda will help guide you through the CRA's subjective nature and position your institution for a positive outcome. Linda has the experience and skill set to coach those who are just beginning their CRA journey up to those who understand the most complex and advanced sides of the CRA. If you have the opportunity to work with Linda, I highly recommend it. Her enthusiasm and passion for the CRA are contagious. Just be prepared to learn A LOT about CRA and get inspired along the way!" -JARED HALES, CEO, Kadince "Linda is one of the foremost authorities on CRA. Her knowledge has been honed through decades of practical experience working in banks and through collaboration with CRA professionals throughout the nation. Her perspective and insights on the examination process provides untold value to banks of all sizes." -BRIAN WATERS, President, COO & Co-Founder, findCRA "Linda's vision and commitment to this work has ramped up my understanding of the CRA and I now feel confident in addressing my executive team and board with advanced CRA strategies. As a result of this higher l