The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was enacted by Congress in 1977 and amended in 1995. The Act was created to encourage financial institutions to meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with responsible banking operations.
Under the amended regulation, larger banks such as First Interstate Bank are examined under performance criteria divided into three tests; Lending (50% of CRA Exam Rating), investment (25% of CRA Exam Rating) and service (25% of CRA Exam Rating).
In accordance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), our community development lending falls in four main categories:
Mortgage Lending - includes loans for home purchase, home improvement and home refinancing.
Small Business Lending - serving the borrowing needs of businesses with gross annual revenue of $1 million or less
Small Farm Lending - loans of $500,000 or less to farms with gross annual revenue of $1 million or less
Community Development Lending - development in low-to-moderate income areas of communities we serve
In 2013, First Interstate Bank provided over $60.9 million in loans to community and economic development programs that benefit low- to moderate-income families across our service area. In fact, we invested in our neighbors with:
First Interstate Bank strives to meet the investment needs of our communities. This is accomplished through corporate investments within the bank's CRA assessment areas. In addition, First Interstate Bank and Foundation grants supporting community and economic development programs contribute to the bank's success in this area. With our mission of meeting and exceeding market expectations, coupled with our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve, First Interstate Bank and our Foundation funded more than $1,579,674 in Community Development grants and sponsorships in 2015.
Social responsibility is at the heart and soul of First Interstate Bank. We partner with local community-based organizations in low- and moderate-income communities so that we may: Provide free financial education to diverse communities of need; Connect bank employees with community-based organizations to create more volunteer opportunities and board service with non-profit organizations; Our employees have provided community services through speaking engagements and financial education presentations. As board and committee members our employees have provided financial expertise to more than 300 nonprofit organizations in our communities.
We are committed to our values and vision and will continue delivering the highest standard of customer service and products to the communities that we serve.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis examines our CRA performance approximately every two years. During these exams they review qualified community development lending, investments and services we are engaged in throughout Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
1800 6th Ave N
Billings, MT 59101
P.O. Box 30918
Billings, MT 59116-0918