NBT Bancorp’s planned $10 million commercial real estate fund could have a big upside for its CRA rating, while also improving housing in its communities.

The crypto custody technology company, which became a national bank with OCC approval last year, is building a business in digital art and entertainment.

The combination of UniWyo and Reliant Federal would bring together roughly $700 million of assets and 50,000 members.

Officials from the Fed, FDIC and OCC said proposals allowing banks to get Community Reinvestment Act credit for lending and other activities conducted outside their immediate assessment areas could create “powerful incentives” to invest in Native communities.

The Detroit-based lender has been a major beneficiary of the auto market’s growth during the pandemic. Looking ahead, company executives expect demand to be particularly strong among higher-income customers who have little sensitivity to higher car prices and rising interest rates.

Chief Executive Bruce Van Saun said the Rhode Island bank doesn’t “need to be that greedy” after reporting a 34% rise in net interest income during the second quarter. He laid out plans to trim the bank’s sails in both commercial and consumer lending.