CRA Fundamentals Course & Certification

You're Already Running the CRA Program.
Let's Make Sure You Can Defend It

Ten sessions, live, starting September 15. Build the program once, on purpose, instead of rebuilding it every exam cycle.

Live weekly sessions with Linda Ezuka
Homework that makes your program exam-ready
A private community of CRA peers
Live every Tuesday, 2:00-3:00pm ET · Starts September 15 · Enrollment open now; final week meets Tuesday & Friday
LIVE TUESDAYS 2:00-3:00PM ET; FINAL WEEK MEETS TUES & FRI
Cohort Starts September 15
CRA Fundamentals Course and Certification Program by CRA Today
CRA Fundamentals Course & Certification
10 Sessions
Live
20 ABA
CRCM Credits
Shareable
linkedin Badge

"Many consider Linda to be THE industry expert for CRA practitioners."

— Pamela Davis, VP & Compliance Advisor, Atlantic Union Bank

Linda Ezuka, Founder and CEO of CRA Today
Meet the Trainer

Thirty-two years of closing the gap

I built CRA Fundamentals because I kept meeting CRA officers who were smart and capable, and completely under-supported. No formal training path. No one to ask when something didn't add up. That's the gap this course fills. Thirty-two years in this work taught me exactly where it needed to close.

This course is what I wish someone had handed me earlier in my career. Ten sessions, straight through, covering exactly what the exam and the job actually demand. No filler. Just the documentation habits, the assessment area fluency, and the judgment calls that hold up when an examiner asks you to explain your work.

The work you do matters beyond the exam. When your program is strong, capital reaches the people and small businesses in your community who need it. That's exactly the reason this course exists.

Linda Ezuka
What's Included

What you get with the CRA Fundamentals course

Ten sessions of LIVE training with Linda Ezuka, over 20 hours delivered in bite-size weekly pieces so you can balance your current priorities, with everything you need to build an exam-ready program.

10 sessions of LIVE training
Live every Tuesday, 2:00-3:00pm ET, with Linda Ezuka.
20+ hours of instruction
Delivered in bite-size weekly pieces around your schedule.
Downloadable Fundamentals manual
A reference you keep and return to.
20 ABA CRCM credits
Continuing education credit toward your certification.
One year of replay & resource access
Revisit every session and resource for 12 months.
A community of CRA peers
A platform to connect with professionals like you, plus a few surprises along the way.
New this cohort

EARN A SHAREABLE LINKEDIN BADGE

Complete Fundamentals and you'll walk away with a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn profile, alongside the 20 ABA CRCM credit hours and a downloadable toolkit for you to keep. It's part of what's waiting for you this time around.

YOUR 10-WEEK CRA JOURNEY 

10 SESSIONS TO CRA PROGRAM CERTAINTY

From beginning to end, all core aspects of the CRA are shared. Each module will guide you to implement within your bank, and homework is assigned to make sure your bank is compliant. This means no more wondering if your data has integrity, or how to prep for your next exam, and everything in between.

1
Module 1
CRA Regulatory Context and Key Definitions
2
Module 2
CRA Assessment Areas
3
Module 3
Community Development Services
4
Module 4
Lending Performance
5
Module 5
CRA Data Collection, Integrity and Reporting
6
Module 6
Community Development Loans
7
Module 7
Community Development Investments
8
Module 8
CRA Technical Compliance Requirements
9
Module 9
CRA Self-Assessment
10
Module 10
CRA Exam Management
Plus Four Bonuses
Bonus 1
CRA Public File Checklist
Keep your public file accurate and audit-ready.
Bonus 2
Data Integrity Root Cause Analysis Template
Trace and resolve data issues at the source.
Bonus 3
Loan Data Collection & Reporting Grid
Categorize and report your loans with confidence.
Bonus 4
AI Session
A dedicated session to learn where AI fits compliantly into your CRA program.
Head start: bonus weeks

Two weeks before the portal opens, you'll already have the foundational pre-work in hand. By the time Module 1 starts, you're building on ground you've already covered, not starting from scratch.

In Their Words

What CRA professionals say

★★★★★

"We have just moved from a small bank to an intermediate small bank, and though I have been involved in various aspects of CRA for 30 years in different institutions, this Fundamentals course gave me the confidence to put our program together the proper way for the time we're in."

— Linda Dyar
EVP, Chief Risk Officer, NobleBank & Trust
★★★★★

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have taken the course and to have learned from Linda herself. Her depth of knowledge and the way she makes complex CRA concepts clear and practical made a huge difference in my understanding."

— Sandra Dominguez
Avidbank, FDIC
★★★★★

"The variety of bank sizes, regulators and experiences represented in our group added depth to our discussions and hearing real-world examples and questions brought the material to life."

— Kerry Duellman
VP & Risk Officer, First Bank Chicago
★★★★★

"This course was able to answer almost all the unknowns regarding CRA. The entire course was filled with 'lightbulb' moments. It helped me evaluate my own CRA program to identify strong and weak points and set me up for success on our next exam."

— Brianna Tyra
Lending Training & Development, SVP, Great Plains Bank
★★★★★

"Linda demonstrated exceptional expertise and was consistently available to answer questions and provide guidance. This experience enabled me to build a strong network of peers to connect with."

— Patty Zamudio
Compliance & CRA Officer, R Bank
★★★★★

"I feel the homework adds a lot to the learning environment, and it helps to open doors with executive management."

— Linda Davidson
Director of Compliance, One Bank of Tennessee
Enrollment Is Open

Enroll now and set yourself up for success

Enroll now and line up your budget approvals in advance. Most bundle the course and membership, so you're set up for success from day one.

The Course

The CRA Fundamentals Course

Learn the core provisions of the law, the definitions, technical compliance, data integrity, performance analytics, how to conduct a self-assessment, how to prep for your next exam, and more.

This course sets the foundation of knowledge of the law, so you can ensure your bank is exam ready and navigate regulatory changes with confidence and clarity.

Consider this course the educational equivalent to a semester-long advanced college course, and yes, with homework.

$2,750 one-time fee
START TODAY

We are happy to invoice your bank or set up an ACH relationship. Email linda@cratoday.com to request an invoice.

Best Value · Save $250
Bundle to Save & Get Support Year-Round

Fundamentals Course + CRA Hub Membership

Once you have a solid foundation from the CRA Fundamentals course, a community of peers will be waiting for you within the CRA Hub to help you implement, all year long.

The CRA Hub is where you take action and apply your CRA knowledge to level up your bank's CRA program.

The CRA Hub offers continuous access to our library of advanced training, monthly live training sessions, peer collaboration, guest speakers, and a private community for CRA professionals.

$6,000 bundle price
Course $2,500 $2,750 + CRA Hub $3,500
LET'S BUNDLE

Includes enrollment in the 10-session CRA Fundamentals course and one year of CRA Hub membership, invoiced annually, cancel anytime. Your CRA Hub membership starts two months after Fundamentals begins, so you can stay focused on the Fundamentals before joining the larger community of peers in the Hub. We are happy to invoice your bank or set up an ACH relationship. Email linda@cratoday.com to request an invoice.

1,708
Banks served
2,404
Bankers served
Independent Financial
MidCountry Bank
Exchange Bank
First Bank
Central Pacific Bank
BankFirst
First National Bank Texas
Adirondack Trust Company
Citizens National Bank
Bank of Utah
CNB Bank & Trust
Avidia Bank
Berkshire Bank
The Village Bank
Kish Bank
Pacific Premier Bank
Avidbank
Fidelity Bank
Independent Financial
MidCountry Bank
Exchange Bank
First Bank
Central Pacific Bank
BankFirst
First National Bank Texas
Adirondack Trust Company
Citizens National Bank
Bank of Utah
CNB Bank & Trust
Avidia Bank
Berkshire Bank
The Village Bank
Kish Bank
Pacific Premier Bank
Avidbank
Fidelity Bank
Central Bank
Winchester Savings Bank
OakStar Bank
Lincoln Savings Bank
North Easton Savings Bank
Flushing Bank
Frandsen Bank & Trust
Red River Bank
Arrow Financial Corporation
Pioneer Bank
Bangor Savings Bank
Bank of Eastern Oregon
Carter Bank
Glens Falls National
Planters Bank
Plumas Bank
Saratoga National
Tri Counties Bank
Central Bank
Winchester Savings Bank
OakStar Bank
Lincoln Savings Bank
North Easton Savings Bank
Flushing Bank
Frandsen Bank & Trust
Red River Bank
Arrow Financial Corporation
Pioneer Bank
Bangor Savings Bank
Bank of Eastern Oregon
Carter Bank
Glens Falls National
Planters Bank
Plumas Bank
Saratoga National
Tri Counties Bank
SEND TO MY SUPERVISOR

Need Sign-Off First?
Here's What to Send.

What it is

CRA Fundamentals, a 10-session live course with Linda Ezuka, 20 ABA CRCM credit hours, one year of access.

What it costs

$2,750 one-time, or $2,500 bundled with a year of CRA Hub. We invoice the bank directly or set up ACH, no credit card required if that's easier for your process.

Why it's worth approving

One person builds a defensible, documented CRA program instead of reconstructing it from memory every exam cycle.

Timing

Starts September 15, then live every Tuesday, 2:00-3:00pm ET (last week has sessions Tuesday and Friday at 2:00pm ET).

CRA Fundamentals Return on Investment Kit

Want the full one-pager for your file? Download the CRA Fundamentals Return on Investment Kit, a ready-to-forward summary with the numbers, timing, and a draft approval email.

DOWNLOAD THE CRA FUNDAMENTALS JUSTIFICATION KIT
Questions

Frequently asked questions

How can I pay for the CRA Fundamentals course? +
You can process via credit card, ACH, or check/invoice. Reach out to us at linda@cratoday.com to arrange for an invoice or an ACH transaction.
Is there a group or team rate? +
Yes. If you're enrolling more than one person from your bank, reach out to us directly for group access and group pricing. Each individual enrollment includes one login for one person.
I'm new to the CRA. Is this the right starting point for me? +
Yes. Fundamentals is built for both new and seasoned professionals. Whether you're new to CRA, running a program without formal training, or a veteran wanting to close the gaps in your knowledge, this is where you build a solid foundation.
Will this replace legal or compliance advice specific to my bank? +
No. This course builds your foundation and confidence as a CRA professional. It isn't a substitute for legal or compliance counsel specific to your institution.
Do you need support making the case to your leadership? +
If you need help building the case internally, download our free CRA Fundamentals Justification Kit. It walks you through how to present this investment to your bank's leadership, including a draft email you can send to executive management.