FEDERAL COURT, July 27 – As the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency along with the
FDIC takes aim at the Community Reinvestment Act, the OCC
is encouraging merger applications from disparate lenders,
with little transparency. On July 27 Inner City Press
comments to the OCC:
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Attn: Director for Licensing for Midside Banks Astrada et
al
400 7th St., SW Washington, DC 20219
Re: Comment Opposing Applications by
MidFirst Bank to acquire Dallas Capital Bank
Dear Director Astrada, Comptroller Gould
and others at the OCC:
This is a a timely comment opposing the
Application by MidFirst Bank to acquire Dallas Capital
Bank, which appears on the OCC's website with a comment
period running through August 21. This comment is
timely.
The target Dallas Capital Bank appears to report no HMDA data. In Texas in 2025, MidFirst Bank made 195 mortgage loans to whites versus only 28 loans to African Americans. This too is disparate. Public hearings are needed. Inner City Press is requesting an extension of the public comment period, public / virtual evidentiary hearings and that, on the current record, the applications not be approved.
FFW and Inner City Press have been deeply concerned about the rush by the OCC's to rubber-stamp mergers by redliners, money launderers and predatory lenders. This has been killing the Community Reinvestment Act and we timely request public hearings. [Our timely comments on the evasion of CRA for fintechs by Column NA has still not been responded to].
We note now in July 2026 reports that the OCC and FDIC intend to go further back on CRA then the previous reg, and de facto exempt many many banks based on size - we oppose that in advance. The comment period should be extended; evidentiary hearings should be held; and on the current record, the application should not be approved. Please immediately send all requested information -- including a complete copy of the application, during the comment period -- and responses by e-mail
Please also confirm receipt of this formal submission. If you have any questions, please immediately telephone the undersigned, at (718) 716-3540. Very Truly Yours, Matthew Lee, Esq. Executive Director Fair Finance Watch
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