The Community Reinvestment Act

This landmark law, passed in 1977, requires banks to meet the credit needs of all communities, especially in low- and moderate-income areas. It was enacted in response to the existence of “redlining” (denial of loans and services) in low-income and minority communities by lending institutions.

Statements and Letters

In response to recent coordinated efforts in the media and elsewhere to hold the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) responsible for the current financial crisis, NCRC, along with a coalition of civil rights, consumer, community development and housing groups are working together to call attention to the real reason for the crisis: failed regulatory oversight.   More than 100 organizations have signed on to a joint statement in support of the Community Reinvestment Act.  Click here to read the statement.

Additional Statements

 Statement on the CRA by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

CRA Research and Resources

CRA Statute

Download the CRA Toolkit

Regulatory Failure as Cause of Financial Crisis

CRA: Myth and Fact (The National Community Reinvestment Coalition)

Why We Need the CRA (A National Community Reinvestment Coalition Video)

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has encouraged an extraordinary level of collaboration between community groups and banks across the country. One form of collaboration is known as a CRA agreement. 

NCRC's Research department provides the latest updates and analyses of legislative and regulatory developments affecting fair lending laws and regulations. View NCRC's Online Research Library

Additional CRA Resources: