Community Banking Connections

System Outreach

The Federal Reserve System provides various resources for training, services, and more. Following is an overview of some of these programs. Please visit the websites for more information or to subscribe.

• Bank Directors' Desktop
  This online course is a primer on the duties, responsibilities, and key roles of bank directors. It is an excellent tool for new directors who want to learn more about what is expected of them in their new role, and it is also useful for seasoned directors, who want to refresh themselves on different elements of their role. This resource is designed to provide insight into current supervisory expectations, promote proper risk management practices and internal controls, and build core skills needed to fulfill the obligations of a bank director in a rapidly changing industry.
• Consumer Compliance Outlook® and Outlook Live
  Consumer Compliance Outlook is a quarterly Federal Reserve System publication dedicated to consumer compliance issues. In addition to the publication, the System hosts "Outlook Live," a popular webinar series that digs deeper into consumer compliance topics of interest. Each webinar is archived for future reference.
• Partnership for Progress
  Launched in June 2008, P4P is the Federal Reserve's outreach and technical assistance program for minority-owned banking institutions. This program helps these institutions confront their unique challenges, cultivate safe and sound practices, and compete more effectively in today's marketplace. It combines one-on-one guidance, workshops, and an extensive interactive web-based resource and information center.
• Emergency Communications System (ECS)
  The Emergency Communications System (ECS) is a free tool used by state regulators and the Federal Reserve to communicate with financial institutions during emergency situations (storms, fires, disasters, and major events affecting the financial industry). The service allows these agencies to quickly contact you and provide pertinent regulatory information in a timely manner. To learn more, contact the ECS Support Center at 877-327-5333 or ecs.support@stls.frb.org.
• Federal Reserve System Online
  The Federal Reserve System Online website houses links to national resources, including community affairs, discount window, economic education, Federal Reserve jobs, the publications catalog, and more.
• Community Banking in the 21^st Century Research and Policy Conference
  Community bankers, academics, policymakers, and bank supervisors from across the country have gathered at this annual research and policy conference, held by the Federal Reserve System and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) since 2013, to focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the 21st century community bank. Archived conference presentations, videos, research papers, and other materials are available on this site.
• CRA OneSource
  Your source for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) tools, templates, guides, webinars, and other resources to assist you in preparing for an exam and growing your CRA program.