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CRA for Community Banks Workshop

As of early 2026, federal regulators are primarily operating under the 1995 Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations, having proposed to rescind the 2023 modernization rule following legal challenges. The proposal seeks public comment on reinstating the CRA framework that existed prior to the October 2023 Final Rule. So - what does that mean for Small Banks under CRA right now?
Upcoming
DATE

Tuesday, July 14, 2026
11:00 am - 1:30 pm

INSTRUCTOR

Lauren Sparks

FORMAT

Workshop

CREDIT TYPE

3 CRCM Credits

$450.00 or 4 Tokens

Includes: Live Access, 30 Days OnDemand Playback, Presenter Materials and Handouts

  • Auditing
  • Compliance
  • CRA Compliance
  • General Compliance
  • Lending
  • Lending Compliance
  • Management/Employee Development
  • Risk Management/Legal
  • Commercial Lender
  • Community Reinvestment Act Officer
  • Compliance Officer
  • Consumer Lender/Retail Banker
  • Internal Auditor
  • Loan Operations Manager/Specialist
  • Marketing Officer/Business Development
  • Mortgage Lender
  • Risk Manager
  • Small Business Lender

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Join us for this special 2 ½ hour class and workshop for community bankers to explore the requirements and the environment for CRA Small Bank standards.

We will discuss where we stand in terms of expectations as of the workshop date. Of course we will briefly review the history of CRA, its basic requirements for which all community banks must demonstrate compliance, and lay out steps to prepare for your next CRA exam. We will review policy, training, and management of a CRA assessment. We will share common errors and exam findings to highlight potential gaps in your own process. Finally, we will break into groups to explore the operationalizing of CRA compliance and the nuts and bolts of your CRA program.

What You'll Learn

  • Regulatory Basics- Community Reinvestment Act Overview
  • An understanding of Reasonably Expected Market Area (REMA) and red-lining
  • Current status of CRA for Small Banks
  • Relationship of CRA to Fair Lending
  • Relationship of CRA to Dodd-Frank 1071
  • Elements of a successful Small Bank CRA Program
  • Elements of a successful Intermediate Small Bank (ISB) CRA Program
  • Common errors and audit findings in Small Bank CRA exams
  • Internal controls to support the CRA Program
  • Workshop Session: Cameras and microphones on! We will break into groups for Q & A review and ideas/tips/tools to share with your banker peers
  • A materials reference manual

Who Should Attend

This workshop will be advantageous to anyone with hands-on responsibilities for the Small or Intermediate Small Bank Community Reinvestment Act or Fair Lending. The understanding of CRA requirements will also aide those in compliance as well as those handling marketing & advertising or even lending and loan administration. This can include the marketing team, loan officers, compliance officers, and auditors.
Lauren Sparks

Instructor Bio

With a career spanning 40+-years as a community banker and banking regulatory risk management consultant, Lauren Sparks is an accomplished advocate for community banks and women’s financial services leadership. In her career Ms. Sparks held positions in community banks that ranged from teller to Investment Officer, Loan Officer, and Cashier. She founded a women-owned, women-led denovo community bank and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board. In risk management consulting, Ms. Sparks moved to bank consulting firms at a local level, and then to a national level where as a Director she specialized in troubled banks and fintech. In 2009, Ms. Sparks formed 3PR, Inc., a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in community banks and financial service firms where she serves as CEO. 3PR serves more than 50 community banks at any given time and has been a preferred vendor for one of the world’s largest software providers.

She has edited the Reference Guide for Regulatory Compliance Manual (RGRC) for the American Bankers’ Association (ABA). Ms. Sparks is a founder of the Houston chapter of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM), and has been an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP).

Continuing Education Credit Information

CRA for Community Banks Workshop has been approved for 3 CRCM credits. This statement is not an endorsement of this program or its sponsor. Credits are redeemable for both Live and OnDemand viewing. For questions on certificates, please email support@oncourselearning.com. Certification holders must report these credits at https://aba.csod.com.

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