Skip to content

CRA Services

Navigate evolving Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) expectations with clarity and confidence. Our team brings sharp analysis, practical insight, and a commitment to your success.

Contact Us

Hero Banner

Proactive CRA Support Built for Today’s Banking Environment

CRA expectations continue to be a focus of regulators and stakeholders emphasizing a commitment to supporting low- and moderate-income communities and small businesses. It is important to remain vigilant as a bank grows in asset size and the number of markets they serve, expectations change. Institutions with specialized lending portfolios or significant activity beyond their designated assessment areas often encounter added complexity in meeting regulatory expectations.

Saltmarsh helps banks meet these demands with confidence. Our team brings deep regulatory knowledge and a hands-on approach that prioritizes responsiveness and results. Whether you're preparing for an exam, responding to a finding, or building a stronger compliance framework, we deliver fast, focused support that makes a measurable impact.

 

A Practical, Hands-On Approach Rooted in Real Experience

At Saltmarsh, we take a pragmatic and insightful approach to CRA compliance.
Our guidance is rooted in robust data analysis, aligned with regulatory expectations, and shaped by firsthand operational experience. Many of our professionals are former bankers who bring a deep understanding of the practical realities of managing a CRA program—not just reviewing one.

Each engagement is customized to reflect your institution’s unique size, lending profile, and regulatory background. You’ll work directly with experienced advisors who take the time to understand your specific challenges and goals.

Above all, we pride ourselves on being responsive, precise, and easy to work with. Our clients rely on us not only to ensure CRA compliance but also to uncover actionable insights that support stronger decision-making and long-term risk mitigation.

IMG_3056

Explore More Services:

Banks
Credit Unions
Fintechs
Regulatory Compliance
Internal Audit
FDICIA 363 Consulting & Readiness
Credit Quality Reviews
ACH Reviews & Risk Assessments
BSA, AML, OFAC, and CFT
Fair Lending & UDAAP Risk Reviews
CRA Services 
Asset Liability Management Review
Information Systems & Cybersecurity Audits
Trust Operations & Fiduciary Responsibilities
Advisory, Training, and Coaching
 

 

Our CRA Services

We support banks at every stage of growth: whether you're building a program from the ground up, enhancing existing processes, preparing for regulatory review, or adjusting your program. Our services include:

CRA Program Reviews

Evaluate your institution’s CRA compliance management program and identify areas for proactive enhancements.

CRA Self-Assessment

Assess lending performance under the CRA in preparation for future CRA exams or in response to significant changes in markets served or lending products offered.

Community Credit Needs Assessment (CCNA)

A research-based market study designed to help banks understand the financial service needs of their assessment areas.

Performance Context

Brings the self-assessment and CCNA together to understand the context in which the bank is meeting its community’s needs. This is the bank’s chance to tell their story.

CRA Data Integrity

Accurate data leads to accurate assessments of CRA lending performance.  Reviews of the most critical data elements including loan type, location, loan amount and gross annual revenue help ensure your bank gets the credit they deserve.

Community Development Activities Reviews

A detailed review of a bank’s identified CRA loans, investments and services.

Exam & Regulatory Response Support

Accurate data leads to accurate assessments of CRA lending performance.  Reviews of the most critical data elements including loan type, location, loan amount and gross annual revenue help ensure your bank gets the credit they deserve.

Board and Staff Training

Build institutional awareness with customized training sessions for executives, lenders, compliance teams and other applicable staff.

People and Practices. The team is well trained, knowledgeable, experienced, accessible, and demonstraates good communication skills. Fieldwork, deliverables and presentations are first class. Our team at the bank always has good dialogue with Saltmarsh, and we learn something with each engagement.
Piedmont Federal Savings Bank NC

Regulatory Compliance Reports Cover Image

Get the Most Recent Updates at a Glance

Recent & Upcoming Regulatory Compliance Changes – Quarterly Update

This document includes concise summaries of the most material developments over the past quarter. It’s ideal for those who need a quick, focused view of what’s changed since the last report.

What’s inside:

  • Key updates from CFPB, OCC, FDIC, FRB, and HUD
  • Effective dates and impact levels
  • Hyperlinked citations to original rules
  • Summaries of rescinded, vacated, or delayed provisions

Download Now

Combining Data and Strategic Insights into Stories

At Saltmarsh, we take the time to understand your bank and with data analytics help banks make informed decisions that strengthen CRA compliance and community impact.

From building dashboards that track key CRA indicators to conducting in-depth analyses of lending distribution, community development activities, and assessment area performance, our team delivers actionable insights tailored to your institution’s unique profile.

No matter how developed your CRA program is or if you simply need assistance in understanding what the future holds, we can clarity based on your bank’s strategic focus. 

 

Meet the Team

Get to know the people behind our CRA work. Our team includes former bankers and dedicated specialists who live and breathe this space. With deep technical knowledge, real operational insight, and a client-first mindset, they’re here to deliver the answers, and the service, you need.

Stogniew, Kristen-1

Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE

Shareholder

Kristen is a shareholder and leader of Saltmarsh’s Financial Institution Consulting practice, with over 25 years of experience advising banks, credit unions, and fintechs on legal, operational, and compliance matters. She also provides tailored training and mentorship, and facilitates user groups across key systems and risk areas.

Faust, Lorraine

Lorraine Faust, CRCM

Director of Fair Lending

With 30+ years of industry experience, Lorraine brings a practical approach to regulatory change, fair lending, CRA, product reviews, M&A due diligence, and risk assessments. She has supported institutions through exams by the FDIC, FRB, and CFPB.

Cruz, Lucy

Lucy Cruz

Senior Consultant

Lucy is a senior consultant specializing in fair lending risk reviews, cRA, as well as deposit and loan compliance. Her background in community banking includes roles in customer service, accounting, loan servicing, deposit operations, and risk management.

Let’s Talk

Whether you need a second opinion, a fresh analysis, or full-scale support, we’re ready to help. Reach out to start a conversation with one of our fair lending specialists today.

 

Insights

Stay Up To Date with the Financial Institution Industry

Join our email list for banks or credit unions to receive quarterly insights and information on upcoming events from our team of experts to help you succeed in this ever-changing environment.

Banks    Credit Unions