Insights Archived Issues

Historic Tax Credits: Bringing New Life to Older Communities (PDF) (November 2008)
An examination of the primary risks and regulatory considerations (including CRA) associated with financing historic tax credit projects.

The SBA's 7(a) Loan Program: A Flexible Tool for Commercial Lenders (PDF) (September 2008) 
Describes how lenders can use the program to develop new business, mitigate risk, enhance profitability, improve liquidity management, and meet certain regulatory requirements.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits: Affordable Housing Investment Opportunities for Banks (PDF) (February 2008) 
Describes how banks can use low-income housing tax credits to develop affordable rental housing and covers the associated risks and regulatory considerations.

Understanding Employer-Assisted Mortgage Programs: A Primer for National Banks (PDF) (August 2007)
Examines the primary risks and regulatory considerations associated with employer assisted mortgages and illustrates how lenders can implement their own successful employer-assisted programs.

Foreclosure Prevention: Improving Contact with Borrowers (PDF) (June 2007)
Highlights best practices used by loan servicers to improve their contact rate with delinquent mortgage borrowers.

New Markets Tax Credits: Unlocking Investment Potential (PDF) (February 2007)
Examines the primary risks and regulatory considerations and discusses the how bank investors have structured and managed these credits effectively.

Reaching Minority Markets: Community Bank Strategies (PDF) (November 2006)
Examines selected strategies community banks use to target specific minority markets.

Commercial Lending in Indian Country: Potential Opportunities in an Emerging Market (PDF) (March 2006)
Examines the major challenges and constraints that inhibit larger scale Native American financing efforts.

Payroll Cards: An Innovative Product for Reaching the Unbanked and Underbanked (PDF) (June 2005)
Examines the growth of payroll cards and their potential for use by national banks to attract unbanked households into the financial mainstream.

Individual Development Accounts: An Asset Building Product for Lower-Income Consumers (PDF) (February 2005)
Examines how banks use these accounts to encourage lower-income individuals to save money and build assets to meet financial goals.

Remittances: A Gateway to Banking for Unbanked Immigrants (PDF) (September 2004)
Describes how banks can use these products to attract unbanked immigrants into the banking system, addresses key risks and regulatory issues, and cultural barriers