Federal Regulatory Agencies Publish 2026 CRA Eligible Geographies List

Overview of the 2026 CRA Geographies List

Federal bank regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), have officially released the 2026 list of geographies eligible for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit. This list is a critical tool for financial institutions to identify specific census tracts and areas where their lending, investment, and service activities can help meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities.

Purpose and Impact

The Community Reinvestment Act is designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to help meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. By publishing this annual list, regulators provide clarity to financial institutions regarding:

• Geographic areas designated as low- or moderate-income.
• Distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies.
• Areas eligible for special consideration under CRA performance evaluations.

The data ensures that banks can effectively target their resources to foster economic development and community revitalization in areas that require support.

Regulatory Context

The release of this list follows established regulatory procedures to ensure that the data remains current and reflects changing economic conditions across the United States. Financial institutions are expected to use this information to align their community development strategies with the specific needs of the identified regions. As noted by regulatory officials, the goal is to 'ensure that the CRA remains an effective tool for promoting equitable access to credit and financial services'.

Accessing the Data

The agencies have made the 2026 list available through their respective websites and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) portal. Institutions are encouraged to review the updated designations to ensure compliance and to optimize their community reinvestment efforts for the upcoming fiscal year. The agencies continue to emphasize that these designations are essential for maintaining the integrity and purpose of the CRA framework.