Description:
Throughout the beginning of 2026, COMPLIANCE RESOURCE will be tackling the current state of CRA. The series will cover each of the following topic (also available as individual webinars).
- February 17 – CRA Essentials for 2026 (2:00 – 3:30 PM ET)
- February 24 – Identifying and Documenting CRA Community Development Activities in 2026 (2:00 – 3:30 PM ET)
- March 4 – How to Get an Outstanding CRA Rating in 2026 (2:00 – 3:30 PM ET)
- March 24 – Managing the Intersection of CRA, Fair Lending, and Small Business Requirements (2:00 – 3:30 PM ET)
CRA requirements continue to evolve, but examiner expectations remain high. This four-part virtual series is designed to help financial institutions strengthen their CRA programs under the framework currently in effect—while proactively managing the growing intersections between CRA performance, fair lending risk, and small business data reporting in 2026.
Across four focused 90-minute sessions, participants will move from CRA fundamentals, to community development qualification and documentation, to strategies for achieving stronger CRA ratings, and finally to managing CRA alongside fair lending and Section 1071 risk. This series delivers practical guidance, examiner-ready insights, and clear strategies your institution can apply immediately.
By attending this series, participants will:
- Understand how CRA requirements are being applied in 2026 despite regulatory changes
- Confidently identify and document Community Development (CD) loans, investments, and services
- Improve CRA documentation to ensure activities receive proper examiner credit
- Learn what distinguishes Outstanding CRA performance from Satisfactory ratings
- Recognize how CRA performance intersects with fair lending, redlining risk, and small business data reporting
- Reduce regulatory risk by identifying potential gaps before they become examination findings
Session Schedule & Topics
Session 1: CRA Essentials for 2026
📅 February 17, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
This session provides a comprehensive overview of CRA fundamentals, including performance tests and ratings, assessment area delineation, public file requirements, required notices, and community development basics. Attendees will also receive an update on where CRA revisions stand and what they mean for current compliance planning.
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Session 2: Identifying & Documenting CRA Community Development Activities in 2026
📅 February 24, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
Banks often engage in qualifying activities—but fail to receive credit due to weak documentation. This session focuses on how to properly identify and document CRA-eligible community development loans, investments, and services, including guidance on assessment area considerations and examiner expectations.
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Session 3: How to Get an Outstanding CRA Rating in 2026
📅 March 4, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
Learn what truly differentiates an Outstanding CRA rating from a Satisfactory one. This session reviews CRA rating criteria by bank type and explains how examiners evaluate performance in practice—helping institutions strategically position their CRA activities for stronger results.
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Session 4: Managing the Intersection of CRA, Fair Lending & Small Business Requirements
📅 March 24, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
CRA performance is increasingly tied to fair lending and redlining risk—especially with the added transparency created by small business data reporting under Section 1071. This session explores how CRA, fair lending, REMA, and public data intersect, and how institutions can proactively identify and manage emerging risk.
Participate in the full series to…
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Build knowledge progressively — each session builds on the last
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Strengthen examiner-readiness through clearer documentation and strategy
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Reduce compliance and reputational risk in an environment of heightened scrutiny
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Gain practical, actionable guidance you can apply immediately
Who Should Attend
This series is ideal for:
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CRA Officers and CRA Analysts
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Compliance Officers and Compliance Managers
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Fair Lending and Risk Management Staff
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Lending, Community Development, and Marketing Personnel
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Bank management responsible for CRA oversight and exam preparation
Presenters:
Kimberly Boatwright, CRCM, CAMS, FLE
Kimberly Boatwright is EVP and Director of Risk and Compliance at Compliance Resource, LLC and has more than a two decades of experience working in the financial services industry. Ms. Boatwright is a well-regarded financial industry risk and compliance professional with a strong background in program development and implementation. She is a thought leader who specializes in Fair Lending, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and consumer compliance. During her career she has worked for and consulted with all types of financial institutions helping to establish and evolve compliance and risk programs. She is a frequent public speaker, trainer, and author on compliance and risk management topics. Kimberly is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.
February 17, 2026