2023-02693. Agency Information Collection Activity: Nonsupervised Lender's Nomination and Recommendation of Credit Underwriter

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before April 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0253” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0253” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority:38 U.S.C. 3729, 38 CFR 36.4232 and § 36.4313.

Title: Create Payment Request for the VA Funding Fee (VA Form 26-8736a).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0253.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 3702(d) allows for certain lenders to make automatically guaranteed housing loans under 38 U.S.C. chapter 37. 38 U.S.C. 3702(d). Automatic lending privileges eliminate the requirement for submission of loans to VA for prior approval. Lending institutions with automatic loan privileges may process and disburse such loans and subsequently report the loan to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for issuance of guaranty. Those lenders include (1) any Federal land bank, national bank, State bank, private bank, building and loan association, insurance company, credit union, or mortgage and loan company, that is subject to examination and supervision by an agency of the United States or of any State; (2) any State; or (3) any lender approved by the Secretary pursuant to standards established by the Secretary. Id. VA implemented those standards in 38 CFR 36.4352. VA refers to lenders described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(1) and (2) as supervised lenders. See 38 CFR 36.4352(a). Unsupervised lenders are those described in 38 U.S.C. 3702(d)(3). See 38 CFR 36.4352(b). This collection addresses the underwriter requirements for those unsupervised lenders as found in 38 CFR 36.4352(b)(2) and (3).

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 500 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 20 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500.

By direction of the Secretary.

Maribel Aponte,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.