ots_may2006_geoffsmith_oversightoftheots.pdf

Testimony before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on OTS’s actions to weaken CRA.  Comments offered suggestions to promote improvements to CRA that would increase access to lending, investments, and services in low- and moderate-income markets such as the requiring the continued reporting of small business lending data for mid-sized banks and thrifts.  They also requested that the OTS collect data on new retail accounts opened for low- and moderate-income households; and promoting investment in declining and underserved rural markets.