H.R. 7003House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act

Introduced March 8, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM UTC

The Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to let credit unions serve areas that lack adequate banking services. It creates a definition of “underserved area,” requires credit unions to submit a business and marketing plan when expanding membership, and mandates reporting on their activities. The changes aim to increase access to credit union services for low‑income and remote communities.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the field‑of‑membership rules so a credit union can add an underserved area after the Board determines the area qualifies; the credit union must file a business and marketing plan and report on its implementation within two years.
  • Requires member business loans to include those made to members or borrowers who live or operate in an underserved area.
  • Defines “underserved area” as census tracts or counties that are investment areas, consist of at least 85% low‑income communities, or are more than ten miles from the nearest bank or credit‑union branch.
  • Mandates the National Credit Union Administration to issue an initial implementation report to Congress 2‑3 years after enactment and a follow‑up report five years after the first report.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.

June 7, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 8, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

March 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

May 17, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 22.

May 17, 2022

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 117-351.

June 7, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.

June 7, 2022

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued June 7, 2022

IB

Union Calendar No. 265

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7003

[Report No. 117–351]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 8, 2022

Ms. Waters (for herself and Mr. Perlmutter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

June 7, 2022

Additional sponsor: Mr. David Scott of Georgia

June 7, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 8, 2022


A BILL

To amend the Federal Credit Union Act to permit credit unions to serve certain underserved areas, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act.

2.

Credit union service to underserved areas

Section 109 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1759) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c)(2)—

(A)

by striking the field of membership category of which is described in subsection (b)(2),;

(B)

by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

(A)

the Board determines that the local community, neighborhood, or rural district is an underserved area; and

; and

(C)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting not later than 2 years after having such underserved area added to the credit union’s charter, before the credit union; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(h)

Change of field of membership to include underserved areas

(1)

In general

If an existing Federal credit union applies to the Board to alter or expand the field of membership of the credit union to serve an underserved area, the credit union shall submit a business and marketing plan with such application that explains the credit union’s ability and intent to serve the population of the underserved area through the change in field of membership.

(2)

Report by credit union

Not later than 2 years after the date on which a Federal credit union’s application described under paragraph (1) is approved, the credit union, as part of the ordinary course of the examination cycle and supervision process, shall submit a report to the Administration that includes—

(A)

an estimate of the number of members of the credit union who are members by reason of the application;

(B)

a description of the types of financial services utilized by members of the credit union who are members by reason of the application; and

(C)

an update of the credit union’s implementation of the business and marketing plan described under paragraph (1).

.

3.

Member business lending in underserved areas

Section 107A(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757a(c)(1)(B)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (iv), by striking or at the end;

(2)

in clause (v), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(vi)

that is made to a member or associated borrower that lives in or operates in an underserved area.

.

4.

Underserved area defined

Section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (8), by striking ; and and inserting a period;

(2)

in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(10)

The term underserved area means a geographic area consisting of one or more population census tracts or one or more counties, that encompass or are located within—

(A)

an investment area, as defined under section 103(16) of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994;

(B)

groups of contiguous census tracts in which at least 85 percent individually qualify as low-income communities, as defined under section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or

(C)

an area that is more than ten miles, as measured from each point along the area’s perimeter, from the nearest branch of a depository institution (as defined under section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) or credit union.

.

5.

Reports by the National Credit Union Administration

(a)

Initial report

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, but no sooner than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Credit Union Administration shall issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on the implementation of the amendments made by this Act.

(b)

Update

The National Credit Union Administration shall issue an updated report on the implementation of the amendments made by this Act to the committees described under subsection (a) on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the Administration issues the initial report under subsection (a).

June 7, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed