Specialty Certification

Certified Senior CRA-Fair Lending Examiner (CSCFE)


The objectives of the CSCFE as part of the Consumer Protection Certification Program are to:

  • Achieve recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the examination of state chartered banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders with reference to federal and state Community Reinvestment and Fair Lending laws and regulations which prohibit discrimination against prohibited classes in credit- and real estate-related transactions and their obligation to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which offices and branches are maintained.
  • Promote continuing education, professionalism, and advancement for examiners working in the area of consumer protection, with the goal of enhancing their quality of job performance and skill level.

Candidates for the Certified Senior CRA/Fair Lending Examiner must provide evidence of all of the following:

  • Completion of education and experience requirements for one of the following certifications:
    • Levels I and II of Certified Consumer Protection Examiner or
    • Certified Mortgage Examiner or
    • Certified Consumer Compliance Specialist
  • A minimum of one (1) year of on-the-job service and training as examiner-in-charge of intermediate small, small, and large institutions.
  • Satisfactory completion of the following training courses [all coursework should total a minimum of fifty-six (56) hours of formal, classroom training]:
    • CSBS Day One: Mortgage Examiner Training (online)
    • CRA/Fair Lending training, such as applicable portions of the FRB Community Reinvestment Act Examination Techniques, the FRB Fair Lending Examination Techniques, and/or the CFPB Fair Lending Examination Techniques, or other equivalent courses
  • When granting certification, a high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation of successful job performance and mastery of appropriate job-related skills. Therefore, the individual providing the ratings and narrative support should be the candidate’s direct supervisor or other senior employee within the candidate's organization who is familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, skills, and abilities.

The candidate’s supervisor must be able to attest to the applicant’s ability to meet or exceed expectations in the following competencies:

TECHNICAL – Provides effective leadership and organization to the examination process:

  • Effectively supervises personnel to ensure adherence to examination procedures and policies,
  • Provides effective training,
  • Monitors progress of assigned personnel to ensure accurate and timely completion of work,
  • Effectively organizes and delegates assignments,
  • Supervises, organizes, and effectively documents workpapers according to prescribed procedures, and
  • Effectively supervises and oversees the entire examination process.

CONCEPTUAL – Provides effective and accurate evaluation of the operational and financial activities of intermediate small, small, and large institutions:

  • Effectively follows established examination procedures to collect and analyze data,
  • Develops correct conclusions from collected data,
  • Effectively reviews reports of examination for accuracy, content, conclusions, and proper grammar, and
  • Effectively evaluates and adjusts scope of examination, as each situation requires.

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE

  • Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations, and
  • Effectively follows established examination procedures for presenting violations and recommending corrective action or enforcement powers.

HUMAN RELATIONS – Provides effective oral and written communications:

  • Effectively and clearly communicates assignments to assisting personnel,
  • Effectively and clearly communicates with institution personnel to obtain information,
  • Effectively and clearly communicates examination findings to the institution’s management, senior management, directors, and supervisory personnel,
  • Effectively prepares written comments which are accurate, grammatically correct, logically arranged, and factually support any conclusions drawn, and
  • Effectively coordinates examination planning and execution with other state regulators or authorities as appropriate.

RECERTIFICATION

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 40 continuing education hours (CEHs); at least seven CEHs must be completed each year. Examples of qualifying programs and activities are listed below. Other programs and activities submitted will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the examiner’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The following courses qualify for CE credit:

  • Applicable Regulatory University (RegU) Courses: HMDA, ECOA, Fair Lending, and CRA
  • Federal Reserve Outlook Live Seminars
  • Wolters Kluwer CRA & Fair Lending Colloquium
  • NCRC Annual Conference
  • FFIEC Consumer Compliance Conference