Dearth of banks earning ‘outstanding’ CRA ratings, while two banks score ‘needs improvement’

While no banks in October earned ratings of “outstanding” for their compliance with anti-redlining rules, two banks earned “needs improvement” in their scores posted Friday by the federal bank deposit insurance agency.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) released the ratings for 58 banks examined in October for their compliance with rules implementing the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Fifty-six of the banks earning ratings of “satisfactory.” The remaining two were scored “needs improvement.” No banks earned either the “outstanding” rating – the highest rating conferred – or “substantial noncompliance,” the lowest rating.

The banks earning “needs improvement” marks from the FDIC were:

• The Pioneer Savings Bank, Cleveland, Ohio;
• Helm Bank USA, Miami, Fla.

Monthly List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance – January 2026