OCC and ABA Co-Sponsor Community and Economic Development Conference

Washington — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the American Bankers Association will co-sponsor the 2001 National Community and Economic Development Conference titled "Grow Markets...Grow Profits" in Baltimore, Maryland on September 17-19.

"By co-sponsoring this conference the OCC hopes to spark a dialogue among banks about successful strategies for expanding their business opportunities through community development partnerships," said Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke, Jr. "Participants will explore topics such as, how to reach the growing immigrant population, the benefits of revitalizing urban markets and building economic development strategies in rural communities."

Keynote speakers include Comptroller Hawke, U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Paul Sarbanes, Maryland Governor Parris Glendening and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Other speakers include representatives from community development corporations, regulatory agencies, community banks, civic leaders and policy analysts from universities and policy organizations.

"This conference provides bankers and other attendees with an opportunity to engage regulators, bankers and community development professionals in discussions about techniques to best achieve their community and economic development goals," said Anna Alvarez Boyd, Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs. "Small interactive breakfast sessions will be held with representatives from the federal financial regulatory agencies, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Small Business Administration, and the USDA's Rural Business Cooperative Service."

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a neighborhood development tour in Baltimore illustrating how housing tax credits for historic and low-income properties have been used to bring once dormant communities back to life.

Information about the National Community and Economic Development Conference can be accessed by selecting "Banker Education" on the OCC Internet home page, www.occ.treas.gov, and choosing "Conferences/Seminars."