WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) isn’t chasing drug lords or gun runners, but they’re exposing a different kind of systemic failure. Today, the FDIC dropped a list of state nonmember banks recently put under the microscope for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) compliance. The January 2025 evaluations reveal which banks are actually serving all their communities, and which are quietly redlining, leaving low- and moderate-income neighborhoods to wither.
The CRA, a 1977 law, isn’t about locking up perps; it’s about accountability. It forces the FDIC to assess whether banks are meeting the credit needs of everyone in their footprint, not just the wealthy enclaves. The agency assigns ratings based on how well institutions are lending in underserved areas, and those ratings are now public record, thanks to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA).
This isn’t some abstract exercise in financial theory. We’re talking about real money, real neighborhoods, and real people being denied opportunities. A bank failing its CRA evaluation isn’t facing jail time, but it is facing public shaming – and potential regulatory action. The FDIC is essentially saying, “You’re insured by us, and we expect you to serve all your customers, not just the profitable ones.”
The full, consolidated list of state nonmember banks evaluated since July 1990, complete with ratings, is available online. You can dig through the data yourself, or request a hard copy from the FDIC’s Public Information Center at 3501 Fairfax Drive, Room E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226 (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). Don’t expect a glossy report; this is raw data, and it’s up to the public – and us – to connect the dots.
Individual bank evaluations are also available directly from the banks themselves – they’re legally obligated to provide them upon request. The FDIC’s Public Information Center is another source. While this isn’t a case of cops and robbers, it’s a crucial look at how financial institutions are impacting communities across the country. The April 2025 List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance and the Monthly List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance are attached.
LaJuan Williams-Young is the FDIC contact for this information. This isn’t about putting anyone in cuffs, but it is about shining a light on a system that often favors profit over people. Grimy Times will continue to monitor these evaluations and report on any patterns of neglect or discrimination. Stay tuned.
RELATED: FDIC Scrutinizes Shadow Banks, Drops Parent Company Rule
RELATED: FDIC Scrutinizes Banks for Community Lending Practices
Related Federal Cases
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking