WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) isn’t known for street brawls, but their recent actions signal a hard look at how banks are serving all communities, not just the wealthy ones. Today, the FDIC dropped a list of state nonmember banks recently put under the microscope for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
These aren’t indictments, not yet. But the CRA, a 1977 law, demands banks prove they’re meeting the credit needs of every corner of their service area – including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The FDIC’s evaluations, completed in May 2025, are the agency’s report card on whether banks are walking the walk or just talking about community investment.
The stakes are higher than just good PR. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) slapped a public disclosure requirement on these evaluations. Since July 1, 1990, every bank and thrift undergoing a CRA exam has had its performance laid bare for public consumption. The FDIC isn’t shy about making this information available.
Want the full rundown? The FDIC offers a consolidated list of all state nonmember banks evaluated since 1990, complete with ratings. You can find it online or request a hard copy from the FDIC’s Public Information Center at 3501 Fairfax Drive, Room E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226. Reach them at 877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200. Don’t expect a friendly chat; these folks deal in facts, not hand-holding.
Individual bank evaluations are also accessible directly from the banks themselves – they’re legally obligated to provide them upon request. Or, again, hit up the FDIC’s Public Information Center. This isn’t about catching criminals in the traditional sense, but about holding financial institutions accountable for their obligations to the communities they claim to serve. The August 2025 list of banks examined for CRA compliance, along with the monthly list, is now available for review.
LaJuan Williams-Young is the FDIC contact for further inquiries. This isn’t a flashy bust, but in the world of financial regulation, transparency is a weapon. And the FDIC just loaded its chamber. The agency last updated this information on August 5, 2025, and is committed to ongoing oversight of banking practices.
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