GREEN BAY, WI – Bay Bank, owned by the Oneida Nation, has received an “outstanding” rating – the highest possible – in its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Green Bay-based bank has earned four consecutive “Outstanding” ratings, in 2008, 2014, 2020 and 2026.
“As a Native American-owned community bank, we believe our work extends beyond traditional banking,” said Bay Bank President & CEO Jeff Bowman. “Bay Bank strives to honor those who came before us and eagerly engage with all people to build a future our ancestors would be proud to see. Consistently receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating on the CRA review demonstrates our team’s dedication to doing right by our neighbors and serving those that have historically faced barriers to accessing financial services.”
The CRA evaluates a financial institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its assessment area, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The FDIC found that Bay Bank originated a majority of its small business and home mortgage loans within its assessment area, with strong geographic distribution. The bank received no CRA-related complaints during the evaluation period.
The evaluation also considered Bay Bank’s community development activities. The bank opened a full-service branch in Keshena, establishing the first bank in Menominee County and expanding access to financial services on the Menominee Reservation. Bay Bank also donated $30,000 to 10 local nonprofits and $10,000 to an economic development corporation, while employees served on the boards of community development organizations.
“We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment. Very few banks, if any, have earned an ‘outstanding’ CRA rating in four consecutive exams. This recognition is a testament to the important work our team does every day,” said Bowman. “One of the things I’m most proud of is that, year after year, the majority of our lending goes to customers within Bay Bank’s assessment areas. That means most of the loans we make help individuals, families and businesses right here in our own backyard. It’s proof that serving your neighbors and achieving strong financial results can go hand-in-hand.”
