Hampden Bank receives 'outstanding' rating SPRINGFIELD The Community Reinvestment Act is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations. The Congress enacted the law in 1977. CRA requires that each insured depository institution's record in helping meet the credit needs of its entire community be evaluated periodically. The FDIC recently concluded its CRA evaluation of Hampden Bank and gave the institution an overall rating of "outstanding." According to Thomas R. Burton, president and CEO of Hampden Bank, "Less than 12% of all banks in the country receive an outstanding rating. We work very hard to serve the needs of our entire community and this evaluation confirms our efforts and performance. As the only bank headquartered in Springfield, this CRA evaluation also gives testimony to our commitment to the community, and to our mission as a community bank. We're extremely proud of what we've accomplished and what the FDIC has recognized as outstanding performance." The CRA exam is comprised of three test components lending, investments, and service. Under the lending test, Hampden Bank was rated either first or second of all area community banks in lending to low or moderate residents, businesses or community development organizations. Under the investment test, the bank was given accolades for qualified contributions totaling $155 thousand over the past three years paid through either the bank or its foundation. The service test involves banking products and community involvement. Hampden Bank's innovative First Time Homebuyers and Basic Banking programs made a major impression on the examiners. However, the most impressive accomplishment was the level of community involvement by so many of the bank's associates and board members. These included leadership roles in community organizations, financial literacy, youth, education, and housing programs, plus a number of additional community efforts. In 2004 Hampden Bank employees contributed over 8,000 hours of community service. Burton went on to say, "Our efforts in the community do not just revolve around passing tests, but more importantly making contributions that make our community a better place to live. This rating recognizes and quantifies our efforts and is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated by everyone who has made it possible." The complete CRA rating and evaluation can be viewed at www.FDIC.gov.