Federal Reserve Board – Agencies release list of distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographies

Federal bank regulatory agencies today released the 2026 list of certain geographic areas where certain banking activities are eligible for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit.

Under the CRA, the agencies evaluate a bank’s record to meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. The list published by the agencies includes distressed or underserved nonmetropolitan middle-income geographic areas where revitalization or stabilization activities are eligible for CRA consideration. Designations reflect local economic conditions, such as unemployment, poverty, and population changes. Lists from previous years and the criteria for designating these areas are available here.

Revitalization or stabilization activities in these geographic areas are eligible for CRA consideration under the definition of community development for 12 months after publication of the current list. As with previous lists, the agencies apply a one-year grace period for geographies that were included in 2025 but are no longer designated as distressed or underserved on the current list.