Bremer Bank today announced that it received an “Outstanding” rating — the highest score possible — in its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In 2021, just under 11 percent of banks across the country received an “Outstanding” rating.
The exam covered a three-year period between January 2018 and December 2020. Bremer also received an “Outstanding” rating during its previous three-year evaluation window.
The Community Reinvestment Act was enacted in 1977 to encourage financial institutions to meet the credit needs of communities in which they do business, specifically in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods and to LMI individuals. Bremer is dedicated to meeting and exceeding CRA guidelines as part of the bank’s purpose of cultivating thriving communities.
The CRA exam looks specifically at the areas of lending, investments and services. Bremer received an “Outstanding” rating in each category, with the OCC’s Public Disclosure – CRA Performance Evaluation, noting that the bank “is a leader in making community development (CD) loans.” Bremer also has “an excellent level of qualified CD investments” and offers retail services that are “readily accessible,” particularly to “low- and moderate-income (LMI) geographies and individuals.”
“Bremer is proud to receive the highest rating possible in this exam, underscoring the significance of living our closely held purpose of cultivating thriving communities,” said Jeanne Crain, president and CEO of Bremer Bank. “This rating reflects that commitment in action as we remain dedicated to meeting the needs of our communities.”
Bremer is committed to establishing a greater presence and partnership with underserved communities and has continued this work with recent openings in the Twin Cities. In 2021, the bank reinvested in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood with an upgraded new space to replace an old branch, then marked the occasion with a $50,000 donation to the Hallie Q Brown Community Center – a longstanding “lighthouse of the community.” Earlier this year, Bremer opened a new location on Lake Street in Minneapolis. The bank remains focused on growing in these markets, as well as giving back to communities across the Bremer footprint through a number of philanthropic efforts.
For a copy of the Public Disclosure, see the OCC press release.