🏦FDIC Proposes Rule to Streamline Branch Establishment Processes
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) proposes to amend the processes for an insured State nonmember bank to establish a branch or relocate a main office or branch by eliminating certain filing requirements, reducing processing timelines, and updating public notice procedures, and by making corresponding changes to the procedures applicable to the relocation of an insured branch of a foreign bank. The FDIC seeks comment on all aspects of the proposed rule.
Learn More🏦Proposed Amendments to Community Reinvestment Act Regulations
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) propose to amend their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations by rescinding the final rule titled "Community Reinvestment Act" published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2024, and replacing it with the agencies' CRA regulations in effect on March 29, 2024, with certain conforming and technical amendments. The agencies are also proposing technical amendments to their regulations implementing the CRA sunshine requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the OCC is proposing technical amendments to its Public Welfare Investments regulation.
Learn More🌾USDA Ends Race and Sex-Based Preferences in Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has independently determined that it will no longer employ the race- and sex-based "socially disadvantaged" designation to provide increased benefits based on race and sex in the programs at issue in this regulation. The USDA has faced a long history of litigation stemming from allegations of discrimination in the administration of its farm loan and benefit programs. However, over the past several decades, USDA has undertaken substantial efforts to redress past injustices, culminating in comprehensive settlements, institutional reforms, and compensatory frameworks. These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances.
Learn More🌊Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations Affecting Business Operations
Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Learn More🌊Final Flood Hazard Determinations and Business Compliance Impacts
Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having an effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Learn More🏗️EDA Amends Environmental Regulation Affecting Grant Compliance
Through this final rule, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, is amending its environmental regulation. Amending this regulation is necessary to remove references to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)'s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations, which CEQ has rescinded, and to clarify EDA internal staffing of Environmental Officers.
Learn More🏢Elimination of Supplementary Grant Regulation by Economic Development Administration
Through this final rule, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce, is eliminating the regulations on supplementary investment assistance. The regulation is confusing and does not provide any guidance in addition to what is already in section 205 of EDA's enabling statute, the Public Works, and Economic Development Act of 1965.
Learn More📝Notice for Public Comment on CDFI Information Collection
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), U.S. Department of the Treasury, is soliciting comments concerning the Certification of Material Events Form.
Learn More🏦OCC Community Development Information Collection Renewal Request
The OCC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). In accordance with the requirements of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC is soliciting comment concerning the renewal of its information collection titled, "Community and Economic Development Entities, Community Development Projects, and Other Public Welfare Investments."
Learn More🏡Proposed Information Collection for Community Development Block Grant
HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), HUD is requesting comments from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.
Learn More