On December 17, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued proposed guidance intended to simplify how banks with assets of up to $30 billion may obtain approval for a CRA strategic plan.  The proposal would  supplement the existing guidance contained in OCC Bulletin 2019-39, “Community Reinvestment Act: Guidelines for Requesting Approval of a Strategic Plan.” 

Despite being available since 1995, relatively few banks use CRA strategic plans. Only 14 OCC-regulated banks currently operate under a strategic plan, and 12 of those are non-traditional banks that are not branch-based or retail-focused.  

What the Proposal Changes 

The proposal introduces a simplified framework for banks with assets of up to $30 billion built around two options: 

• Elective goals, based on existing OCC performance expectations. 

• Custom goals, which are bank-specific and may replace or supplement elective goals. 

The primary change from current policy is that the OCC now explicitly identifies specific elective performance benchmarks that banks eligible for this approach may choose for each assessment area (see the proposal’s Appendix A, pages 59762-3): 

• Community Development (CD) Lending: Multiple defined elective benchmarks for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance. CD Lending would be divided by Tier 1 capital or total assets as December 31 of the previous year in the CRA plan term.  The appropriate benchmark ratio for each would vary depending on the bank’s size and profile. 

• Qualified Investments: Multiple defined elective benchmarks for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance.  Qualified Investments would similarly be measured against Tier 1 capital or total assets, with the benchmark ratios varying by bank size and profile. 

• Combined CD Lending and Qualified Investments: Multiple defined elective benchmarks for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance.  The combined total would be measured as a percentage of Tier 1 capital or total assets, with benchmark ratios varying by bank size and profile.  

• Services: Elective benchmarks for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance based on annual volunteer service hours for each employee and manager. 

• Retail Lending: Bank-defined goals for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance based on the number, dollar amount, and/or percentage of mortgage and consumer loans to low- and moderate-income (LMI) borrowers and LMI geographies.  Bank-defined goals for “Satisfactory” and “Outstanding” performance based on the percentage, dollar amount, and/or number of commercial loans to small businesses, or small farms. 

The OCC makes clear that these elective goals are not safe harbors. Approval of a strategic plan would still depend on public input and possible revisions. The OCC also states that it does not expect banks with assets of up to $30 billion using the simplified process to reduce their CRA performance levels compared to the existing framework.  

In addition, the OCC indicates that community banks would be offered an informal opportunity to consult with the OCC during the drafting of its strategic plan. The proposal also includes a proposed CRA Strategic Plan Form Outline, on which the OCC is seeking public comments (see Appendix B, pages 59763-4). 

Public Comments 

Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov by referencing Docket ID OCC-2025-0069 or via U.S. Mail: OCC Chief Counsel’s Office, 400 7th Street, SW, Suite 3E-218, Washington, DC, 20219 and must be received by February 20, 2026. 

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About the author:  Mr. Wides is a leader in Artisan Advisors’ risk management practice.  Mr. Wides previously served as Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs in OCC’s Bank Supervision Policy Department. He can be reached at [email protected].