Professional Services for Community Reinvestment Advisors
Our Professional Services encompass a comprehensive range of offerings, each designed to empower organizations and foster positive change within communities.
Our Services
Our services can be summarized into four main categories.
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CRA Compliance and Program Oversight
Ensure adherence to Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations.
Develop, review, and optimize CRA programs.
Conduct CRA examinations, audits and manage associated risks.
Create and implement strategic CRA plans.
Design and execute Community Benefits Plans.
Analyze and report on CRA performance.
Foster community engagement, involvement, and volunteerism.
Train and build internal capacity for CRA staff.
Develop and review policies and procedures.
Verify CRA, HMDA, and Community Development data.
Evaluate and optimize retail branch network.
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Asset Management Services
Provide expert advice on the management of LIHTC and affordable housing assets.
Perform site visits and assess property conditions.
Create asset management plans.
Analyze financial statements and monitor KPIs.
Review operating and replacement reserve requests.
Develop and oversee capital improvement plans.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and assign risk ratings.
Provide support and strategies for tenant lease-up to maximize occupancy rates.
Analyze and improve operational efficiencies to reduce costs and enhance performance.
Develop strategies to optimize investment returns and tax benefits.
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Strategic Insight
Facilitate merger and acquisition due diligence.
Implement Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreements.
Engage in government affairs, collaborate with officials, and lobby for change.
Advocate for underserved communities.
Develop Public-Private Partnerships, including Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategies.
Drive national expansion of Community Development Initiatives.
Collaborate with community and economic development organizations at local, regional, and national levels.
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Specialized Services
Facilitate access to capital for small businesses.
Raise capital for investment funds.
Cultivate strategic banking relationships.
Provide financial literacy education and support personal credit building.
Specialize in grant writing for local, national, and government grants.
Offer executive and career coaching, particularly for the first 90 days.
Develop and deliver Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.
Support small and minority business start-ups and development.
Promote Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Engage in public relations, public speaking, and thought leadership on CRA.
“Norman Bliss is an extraordinary resource for improving an institution’s Community Reinvestment Act performance.
He has demonstrated the ability to develop a strategic plan to maximize results - both with the communities an institution serves and with Regulators. However, what he truly excels at is the ability to keep an organization focused on executing against the plan for successful outcomes. From working with Lines of Business, Compliance, Executive Management, the Board of Directors, Regulators, and other stakeholders, Norman can ensure the necessary actions, performance measurement, and reporting take place to achieve the desired strategic plan goals.
His passion for CRA is evident in every interaction - he truly cares about the communities a financial institution serves. His passion inspires those around him to ‘do better’ and strive for excellence in all areas of lending, service, and investments while balancing the organization's needs.
I strongly endorse and recommend Norman to improve and increase the value of any financial institution’s CRA Program.”
- Tracy H. Brock, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Bank of the West