GEOCODING INFORMATION

New MSAs

The June 2003 changes in Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) boundaries and terminology have raised questions from HMDA reporters. Answers to those questions can usually be found in the Edits. For your convenience, here are answers to the most common questions:

• The new MSAs can be found in the OMB Bulletin No. 03-04, Attachment, List 2.
  
• A five-digit MSA code from the new list of MSAs is to be used for any application that sees final action in 2004. Use the five-digit code for Metropolitan Divisions when available.
  
• A four-digit MSA code from the old list of MSAs is to be used for any application that sees final action in 2003.
  
• The Micropolitan Statistical Areas are not to be used in HMDA reporting.
  
• The Combined Statistical Areas are not to be used in HMDA reporting.
  
• If your institution has become a HMDA reporter for the first time because of changes in MSA boundaries, you should begin collecting data with applications received on January 1, 2004. You should not collect data on applications received in 2003 even if they see final action in 2004. This is a limited exception, only for new reporters, to the general rule that the loan/application register (LAR) must include all transactions that see final action in the year of the LAR.

Geocoding/Mapping System

The FFIEC Geocoding/Mapping System is a web-based tool designed to help financial institutions meet the legal requirement to report information on mortgage, business, and farm loans. Geocoding refers to the Metropolitan Area (MA), State, County, Census Tract combination (address information) that must be provided for each reported loan. The system allows institutions to enter a street address, and it then determines the census tract. When an address is not found, the mapping feature enables the user to determine the property location based on known landmarks without resorting to a paper map. The system also provides Census demographic information about a particular census tract, including income, population, and housing data. Institutions use this information to assess whether they are meeting the credit needs of the communities in which they operate.

Use the Geocoding/Mapping System