The Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (OCC) adopted a final rule to strengthen and modernize the
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by clarifying and expanding the
activities that qualify for CRA credit; updating where activities
count for CRA credit; creating a more consistent and objective
method for evaluating CRA performance; and providing for more
timely and transparent CRA-related data collection, recordkeeping,
and reporting. The goals of this reform are to make the framework
more objective, transparent, consistent in application, and
reflective of changes in banking. Accomplishing these goals will
make the CRA framework a better tool to encourage national banks
and savings associations (banks) to engage in more activities to
serve the needs of their communities, particularly in low- and
moderate-income (LMI) communities and other communities that have
been underserved under previous versions of the CRA regulatory
framework. Together, the OCC-regulated banks covered by this final
rule conduct a majority of all CRA activity in the United
States.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.