CRA Officer

DESCRIPTION: The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, administering, and monitoring all aspects of a Large Bank's Community Reinvestment Act Compliance Program. The CRA Officer ensures proper adherence to the provisions and intent of the CRA with the goal of meeting the credit needs of the communities the Bank serves, including those of low- and moderate-income people and neighborhoods, as well as communities of color, consistent with safety and soundness operation. This position establishes, participates, and maintains relationships with community-based, charitable, and non-profit organizations. The CRA Officer is responsible for implementing policies and procedures necessary to maintain compliance with federal regulations and internal policies and procedures. This position is the key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on CRA issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains the Large Bank's CRA strategic program and goals to ensure alignment with the Bank's overall strategy.
• Perform periodic review of the Large Bank's assessment areas to ensure reasonableness of the delineation. Present and obtain Board of Directors approval for changes in assessment area delineation or CRA program changes.
• At least annually, prepare CRA Self-Assessment that gleans toward at least an overall Satisfactory CRA Rating, as well as at least an overall Satisfactory CRA Rating in each of the Bank's rated areas.
• Supervises the CRA Community Development staff and his/her continued development.
• Ensure maintenance of the Bank's CRA public files and lobby notices as required by the CRA as of April 1st of every year.
• Oversee or otherwise ensure filing of an error free CRA-LR by the annual March 1st deadline.
• In conjunction with the Training Manager, coordinate and ensure that annual CRA training to all bank personnel is achieved commensurate with their job duties. In conjunction with the Director of Compliance and Director of Community Development, coordinate and ensure annual CRA training, including Redlining laws, is provided to the Board of Directors.
• Ensures the bank operates in compliance with all CRA regulations, meeting and/or exceeding expectations of the Bank's regulatory agency
• Oversee the accurate data collection, data review, data integrity, and data reporting requirements for small business loans, small farm loans, and community development loans.
• Ensure the CRA Community Development Specialist thoroughly reviews, documents, and records all qualifying CD Loans, Donations, Investments, and Service Hours into the Bank's community development tracking software, providing assistance and additional training as needed.
• Prepare, analyze, and monitor the bank's performance to determine adequacy of small business, small farm, and home mortgage loan penetration in the Bank's assessment areas and reports the same to the Community Development Committee.
• Working with Marketing and Fair Lending, review all approved and published marketing materials, website, and social media to ensure advertising and promotion is reaching all areas of the Bank's markets, especially low-and-moderate income communities, and not discouraging any potential borrower.
• Work with market areas to review and develop CRA programs that help meet the credit needs within the Bank's assessment areas.
• Manage the Bank's community investment special programs offered through the FHLB Dallas.
• Leverage multiple data sources to generate the statistical data needed to inform sales and marketing campaigns designed to increase CRA qualified mortgage loans, small business loans, and small farm loans.
• Engage employees in company-wide opportunities for community development services with nonprofit organizations.
• Coordinate and report on financial education activities the Bank engages in through the American Bankers Association (ABA) and Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA) such as A Banker in Every Classroom, Get Smart About Credit, and Teach Children to Save.
• In conjunction with Director of Compliance and Director of Community Development, serve as the principal liaison with auditors and examiners ahead of and during all CRA Audits and Federal Examinations.
• All other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong competency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn Google Workspace (G Suite).
• Knowledge of consumer, mortgage, and small business lending operations and services.
• Knowledge of federal banking regulations, rules, and guidelines, including those related to lending, particularly the CRA (Regulation BB)
• Well-organized, efficient, detail-oriented, initiative-taker, able to work independently.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough research, interpret, and understand laws and regulations, and provide workable recommendations and solutions to problems.
• Requires occasional travel to nationwide CRA conferences and to BankFirst branch locations in Mississippi and Alabama
• Combination of leadership, organizational, credit, and communication skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines required.
• Knowledge of and experience in CRA programs, affordable housing mortgages, and community development activities.
• Bachelor's degree and two or more years CRA related experience for a Large Bank (in excess of $1.564 billion); or equivalent combination of education and experience at an Intermediate Bank ($391K-$1.564B).