This handbook provides a brief overview of bank and bank holding company community development corporations (CDCs), the types of activities for which they can be used, the legal requirements in establishing such an entity, and how they are organized and operated. Case studies, including studies of the Shorebank Corporation of Chicago, the First Chicago Neighborhood Development Corporation, the First Rockford CDC, and the Melrose Park Development Corporation, that outline how CDCs are being used to help finance community economic development projects in Illinois are included. CDC activities have included housing development and rehabilitation; downtown and neighborhood commercial revitalization; industrial development and redevelopment; neighborhood marketing; and training, technical assistance, research, and planning for nonprofit development groups. (CML)