Overview

Behind every compliant bank is a team that understands the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA); start building that knowledge today! CRA is a landmark federal law requiring banks to meet the credit needs of the communities they serve, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. Enacted in 1977 to combat redlining and disinvestment, CRA remains essential to fair lending and community development banking. This course delivers practical CRA training focused on real-world application over legal complexity. You will explore key CRA regulations, including assessment areas, community credit needs, CRA performance tests, rating levels, and CRA exam requirements through clear explanations, examples, and guided activities. Through interactive scenarios, video walkthroughs, and self-assessments, you will build foundational knowledge of CRA compliance, understand how banks are evaluated by regulators, and identify the lending, service, and investment activities that support strong CRA performance. By the end, you will be prepared to apply CRA principles confidently in your role. Enroll today to strengthen your CRA compliance skills, support fair lending, and advance responsible community investment.

Syllabus

CRA Foundations and Community Needs

This module introduces the Community Reinvestment Act from the ground up; why it was enacted, what it requires, and where it applies. Learners begin with the historical context that led to CRA's passage, then build a working vocabulary of key terms and concepts. The module then turns to assessment areas and community credit needs, helping learners understand how banks identify and respond to the needs of the communities they serve, with particular attention to low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. By the end of this module, learners will have a solid foundation for understanding CRA's purpose, scope, and the community-focused framework that drives compliance.

CRA in Practice

This module moves from foundational concepts to practical application. Learners explore how CRA performance is actually measured — the three performance tests, the four rating levels, and the role of the CRA Public File. The module then connects these evaluation mechanics to everyday banking work, showing learners how lending, service, and investment activities contribute to positive CRA performance. Through video examples and role-based scenarios, learners will see how CRA-relevant activities look in practice across different banking functions. By the end of this module, learners will understand both how their bank is evaluated and what they can do in their specific roles to support strong CRA performance.

Final Assessment and Wrap-Up

This final module brings the course full circle. Learners demonstrate their understanding of CRA concepts through a comprehensive graded assessment covering all three course objectives — the purpose and requirements of CRA, how performance is evaluated, and what activities support positive CRA performance. After the assessment, learners review key takeaways from the entire course and leave with an actionable checklist of steps they can take in their roles to apply what they've learned.