WASHINGTON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators will begin grading banks on which communities and geographies they service via online lending under tougher new rules modernizing fair lending standards to be finalized on Tuesday. The changes to 1977 Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations draw a line under a contentious multiyear effort that was delayed amid fierce lobbying by community groups and lenders, as well as by a change of presidential administrations. Conceived to prevent red lining, CRA regulations are central to banks' overall supervisory performance. Historically, CRA grades focused on how well banks serviced low-income communities where banks have branches. Banks on Tuesday said they supported fair lending but flagged concerns with the final rule.

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Persons: Michael Barr, Michelle Bowman, Banks, Randy Benjenk, Lindsey Johnson, Pete Schroeder, Andrea Ricci, Michelle Price, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Federal, Fed, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office, Covington, Consumer Bankers Association, Thomson Locations: U.S, Burling