99-13117. Community Programs Guaranteed Loans  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 28333-28351]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-13117]
    
    
    
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    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 26, 1999 / Rules 
    and Regulations
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    Rural Housing Service
    Rural Business-Cooperative Service
    Rural Utilities Service
    Farm Service Agency
    
    7 CFR Parts 1980 and 3575
    
    RIN 0575-AC17
    
    
    Community Programs Guaranteed Loans
    
    AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is amending the Community 
    Programs (CP) Guaranteed Loans regulation, which is also utilized by 
    the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), by removing the requirements for 
    Community Facilities and implementing a new Community Programs 
    Guaranteed Loans regulation. RUS will continue to use 7 CFR part 1980, 
    subpart I for RUS guaranteed loans. This action is needed to streamline 
    and update the Community Programs Guaranteed Loans program. The 
    intended effect is to simplify and clarify the regulation; shift some 
    responsibility for loan documentation and analysis from the Government 
    to the lenders; make the program more responsive to the needs of 
    lenders, local community public bodies, and nonprofit corporations; and 
    provide for smoother processing of applications.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: June 25, 1999.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mel Padgett, Community Programs Senior 
    Loan Specialist, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
    STOP 3222, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-3222, 
    telephone: (202) 720-1495.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Classification
    
        This final rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
    purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed 
    by OMB.
    
    Programs Affected
    
        The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs impacted by 
    this action are 10.766, Community Facilities loans.
    
    Intergovernmental Review
    
        These loans are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372 
    which require intergovernmental consultation with State and local 
    officials. RHS conducts intergovernmental consultations for each loan 
    in the manner delineated in subpart V, part 3015 of title 7.
    
    Civil Justice Reform
    
        The final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
    Justice Reform. In accordance with this rule: (1) All State and local 
    laws and regulations that are in conflict with this rule will be 
    preempted; (2) except as expressively provided in the regulation, no 
    retroactive effect will be given to this rule; and (3) administrative 
    proceedings of the National Appeals Division (7 CFR part 11) must be 
    exhausted before bringing suit in court challenging action taken under 
    this rule.
    
    Environmental Impact Statement
    
        The action has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 
    subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' The Agency has determined that 
    this action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
    affecting the quality of the human environment and, in accordance with 
    the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., 
    an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
    
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 
    U.S.C. chapters 17A and 25, established requirements for Federal 
    agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, 
    local, and tribal governments and the private sector. Under section 202 
    of the UMRA, RHS generally must prepare a written statement, including 
    a cost-benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal 
    mandates'' that may result in expenditures to State, local, or tribal 
    governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 
    million or more in any 1 year. When such a statement is needed for a 
    rule, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires RHS to identify and 
    consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the 
    least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that 
    achieves the objectives of the rule.
        This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
    provisions of title II of the UMRA) for State, local, and tribal 
    governments or the private sector. Therefore, this rule is not subject 
    to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
    
    National Performance Review
    
        This regulatory action is being taken as part of the National 
    Partnership for Reinventing Government to eliminate unnecessary 
    regulations and improve those that remain in force.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule has been reviewed with regard to the requirements of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). The undersigned has 
    determined and certified by signature of this document that this rule 
    will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
    small entities since this rulemaking action does not involve a new or 
    expanded program.
    
    Implementation
    
        It is the policy of this Department that rules relating to public 
    property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts shall comply with 5 
    U.S.C. 553 notwithstanding the exemption of that section with respect 
    to such rules.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The information collection and recordkeeping requirements contained 
    in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and 
    Budget (OMB) under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 and were 
    assigned OMB control number 0575-0137, in accordance with the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act of 1995. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no 
    person is required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
    displays a valid OMB control number. This final rule does not impose 
    any new information or recordkeeping
    
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    requirements from those approved by OMB.
    
    Discussion of the Final Rule
    
        This action replaces the Community Facilities portion of the CP 
    guaranteed loan program administered under 7 CFR part 1980, subpart I. 
    Under the final rule, this guaranteed loan program will be more 
    flexible and place more reliance on lenders. There are fewer specific 
    requirements for lenders. The lender has added responsibility for 
    analyzing credit quality; for making, securing, and servicing the loan; 
    and for monitoring construction. Application processing procedures will 
    be more efficient; less burdensome for borrowers, lenders, and Rural 
    Development staff; and will provide for more rapid decisions.
        The CP loan program was authorized by the Rural Development Act of 
    1972. The loans are made by private lenders to public bodies, nonprofit 
    corporations, and certain Indian tribes for the purpose of improving 
    rural living standards and for other purposes that create essential 
    community facilities located in cities, towns, or unincorporated areas 
    of up to 50,000 population required by the Federal Agriculture 
    Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. The previous statutory population 
    limit for loans for essential community facilities was 20,000. For 
    fiscal year 1999, the population unit will be 20,000 pursuant to 
    Sec. 735 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
    Administration and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1999. Since 
    1990, more than 355 community programs projects, totaling slightly more 
    than $325 million, have received loans which were guaranteed through 
    CP.
        These loans can be made for a variety of purposes including health 
    care; public buildings and improvements; fire and rescue; easements; 
    purchase of equipment, machinery, and supplies; repair and 
    modernization; pollution control; and transportation studies. The rate 
    and terms of the loan are negotiated between the borrower and the 
    lender. This regulation is a high-priority effort to streamline the 
    administration and operation of the program, respond to the requests of 
    users of the program, and assist the field staff administering the 
    program. The revised regulation is simpler, clearer, and more logically 
    organized. The volume of regulatory material which a lender must review 
    to request, make, or service a CP guaranteed loan under the new 
    regulation is significantly less than the current regulation. 
    Clarifications of various items are also included, such as what is 
    meant by the term ``essential community facility.''
        Except for the increase in the population limit in the definition 
    of ``Rural and Rural area,'' the revisions are not required by statute. 
    However, the President and the Secretary of Agriculture are committed 
    to streamlining all Federal regulations. This CP regulation streamlines 
    our application procedures, reduces loan application processing time by 
    placing greater emphasis on State resources, allows more management 
    flexibility and decision-making capacity at the State Office level, and 
    expands eligible loan purposes to include recreation.
        The Agency has implemented revisions to make the program more 
    usable by lenders and borrowers. Also, the Agency recognizes that 
    changes are necessary to make the program more effective in creating 
    jobs and stimulating economic activity (particularly in chronically 
    low-income rural areas). Under the new CP regulation, the material that 
    must be submitted to, and reviewed by, the Agency before approval of 
    the guarantee has been streamlined. Some responsibilities for credit 
    analysis and application processing tasks will be shifted from the 
    Agency to the lender, where feasible. Following is a discussion of some 
    of the most significant policy revisions included in the final 
    regulation.
        To streamline the regulation, the Agency has combined applicable 
    portions of the Direct Community Loan Programs (7 CFR part 1942, 
    subpart A), Fire and Rescue (7 CFR part 1942, subpart C), General 
    Guaranteed Regulation (7 CFR part 1980, subpart A), previously drafted 
    Guaranteed Community Programs Regulation, and program requirements 
    contained in forms which were not in regulations into the Guaranteed 
    Community Programs Regulation (7 CFR part 3575, subpart A). The Agency 
    also divided the regulation into general, processing, and servicing 
    sections. These actions should significantly reduce the amount of 
    regulatory material that a lender and a borrower must review to 
    determine eligibility and complete the application. This will also 
    simplify making and servicing a CP loan.
        Additionally, the necessary information contained in the 
    preapplication package can be submitted simultaneously with the 
    application. Except the year that loan funds are received, the types of 
    audited financial statements will be the responsibility of the lender. 
    Also, we have included recreation as well as clarified that 
    telecommunications are eligible loan purposes.
        Under the new regulation, the lender is responsible for legal 
    sufficiency. The lender will not only be able to negotiate interest 
    rates, but will also be able to negotiate incremental increases and 
    caps for each loan. This will give the lender more flexibility to fit 
    the CP guaranteed loan program to its lending policies and procedures. 
    The lender does not have to be a local lender provided it can 
    demonstrate the ability to adequately service the loan. This will 
    permit an expansion of eligible lenders to include such organizations 
    as State bond banks, the Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance 
    Corporation, Sallie Mae, and other lenders that are subject to credit 
    examination and supervision by a State or Federal entity that 
    supervises and regulates credit institutions. All of these 
    organizations have expressed an interest in the CP guaranteed lending 
    program in the past.
    
    Discussion of Comments
    
        The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 
    7, 1997 (62 FR 52277), for public comment. Five comments were received. 
    All of the comments received expressed support for the changes in this 
    streamlined regulation. The comments ranged from making the regulation 
    easier to read and follow to agreeing that the regulatory burden was 
    lessened on the lenders as well as on our field employees. Also, the 
    ability to change interest rates on a quarterly basis was supported as 
    more in line with industry standards. Other changes which were 
    supported are: permitting the lender to monitor construction rather 
    than the Agency; permitting the preapplication information and the 
    application to be completed as one process; and making the lender 
    responsible for legal sufficiency.
        One respondent requested consistent wording concerning the 5 
    percent which the lender must retain in its portfolio. The wording has 
    been changed to clarify that the amount which the lender must hold will 
    be 5 percent of the total loan amount and that this amount must be from 
    the unguaranteed portion of the loan.
        One respondent wanted to know what is contained in chapter 37 of 
    title 31 of the United States Code. This chapter is commonly referred 
    to as the Debt Collection Act.
    
    Definitions
    
        One respondent suggested that all Rural Development program areas 
    have similar definitions for ``rural'' and ``rural area.'' The Agency 
    agrees that similar definitions would make the programs easier for our 
    field employees to implement. However, the Federal Agriculture 
    Improvement and Reform
    
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    Act of 1996 redefined the definition for ``rural'' and ``rural area'' 
    as it applies to Community Facilities programs. This definition has 
    been incorporated into this regulation.
        Except for fiscal year 1999, Community Facilities projects can be 
    located in incorporated cities or towns or unincorporated areas with a 
    population of less than 50,000; however, these projects cannot be 
    located in urbanized areas regardless of the population. Urbanized 
    areas are areas immediately adjacent to a city, town, or unincorporated 
    area exceeding 50,000 inhabitants. The boundaries of urbanized areas 
    are not limited to preexisting county or State lines. They often follow 
    the boundaries of small census-defined geographic units such as census 
    tracts and enumeration districts. Many urbanized areas cross county and 
    sometimes State lines.
    
    Eligibility
    
        One respondent wanted to include sole-member corporations as 
    eligible for the Community Facilities program. While this would 
    increase the potential number of borrowers, it goes against the concept 
    of broad-based community support.
        One respondent suggested that business incubators be made an 
    eligible purpose. Business incubators are already eligible provided 
    they are designed as a training facility and they meet the basic 
    eligibility criteria of being either a nonprofit corporation or a 
    public body having broad-based community support.
        One respondent indicated that combining the floodplain management 
    plan requirements with flood insurance would eliminate service to most 
    of his State. The Agency did not intend to change the existing 
    floodplain requirements. However, in our efforts to streamline the 
    regulations, we combined two requirements and used a conjunction which 
    tied the two requirements together. The Agency has separated and 
    reworded these requirements in this final regulation. The requirements 
    are the same as our existing regulation. To make a loan in a Federal 
    Emergency Management Agency designated 100-year floodplain, a 
    floodplain management plan must be in place.
        Also, National Flood Insurance must be available, and the lender 
    must require such insurance.
        As a result of internal discussions, the Environmental Requirements 
    section has been expanded slightly in order to highlight the existing 
    burden on the applicant to take no actions that would either limit the 
    range of alternatives to be considered or which might adversely effect 
    the environment prior to completion of the Agency's environmental 
    review.
    
    Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing Act requirements
    
        One respondent suggested that we list all the specific individual 
    requirements under these laws. These requirements are spelled out in a 
    separate section. If a lender needs more specific information, the 
    Agency can administratively handle these situations on a case-by-case 
    basis.
        One respondent requested clarification concerning the Agency's 
    review of the equal opportunity and nondiscrimination requirements when 
    evaluating an application. The Agency will further clarify our 
    employees' responsibilities for reviewing loan applications in Agency 
    instructions.
    
    Rates and Terms
    
        One respondent supported permitting both variable and fixed 
    interest rates in the same loan but pointed out that the restriction 
    which requires the guaranteed portion of the loan to always have a 
    lower interest rate than the unguaranteed portion of the loan would 
    prevent lenders from making the guaranteed portion fixed and the 
    unguaranteed portion variable when the interest rate market is 
    declining. We agree, and we have removed this restriction in these 
    cases.
    
    Design and Construction
    
        One respondent said that this regulation seems to say that if the 
    Agency guarantees a loan on an existing building, we would not require 
    any changes to make the building meet the Americans with Disabilities 
    Act (ADA). The ADA does not require that existing buildings be made 
    accessible unless they are remodeled. Then only the portion which is 
    remodeled must be made accessible. For example, if four interior 
    offices were remodeled, only those four offices would have to be made 
    accessible. But the restrooms or the entry way would not have to be 
    accessible. If you remodeled the building front, then the front entry 
    would have to be made accessible. In conclusion, any new work must be 
    accessible and designed in accordance with the ADA. Any area of the 
    existing structure that is not remodeled does not have to meet the ADA. 
    Since this is not a Community Programs requirement, we will clarify 
    this concept for our employees in our instructions.
        One respondent suggested a standard certification form for the 
    lender to complete certifying that construction has been completed in 
    accordance with the proper building codes. To maintain flexibility and 
    keep the regulations and public paperwork at a minimum, we have 
    incorporated this as a lender certification.
        One respondent suggested amending our concurrence to preliminary 
    architectural or engineering reports or plans because many Community 
    Facilities projects do not require complex reports but rather simple 
    drawings and estimates of project costs. We agree. This was our 
    original intent in the proposed general portion of the design and 
    construction requirements section. We have added the words ``or plans'' 
    to this section.
        One respondent questioned the lack of a reference to procurement 
    utilizing free and open competition. The borrower and the lender both 
    benefit from free and open competition. In the spirit of reducing the 
    regulatory burden to the public, the lender will now be responsible for 
    determining the best method to ensure that the project is completed 
    within budget. If the lender determines that design and build is a 
    better method than sealed bids, the lender will have the flexibility to 
    approve such construction.
    
    Feasibility Requirements
    
        One respondent strongly supported the loan approval official being 
    able to determine if an independent feasibility analysis is necessary. 
    It also stated that the economic section of the regulation confuses the 
    lender credit analysis with the feasibility report. The Agency intends 
    that the loan approval official will determine whether or not an 
    independent feasibility analysis is necessary. Consequently, the 
    lender's financial credit analysis may serve as a feasibility analysis 
    when the loan approval official concludes sufficient economic 
    information is provided in their analysis. We have added a sentence to 
    clarify this issue.
    
    Processing
    
        One respondent indicated that we should have included a timeframe 
    to provide the lender an answer. While we agree, this is an 
    administrative matter within the Agency and will be incorporated into 
    our field employee instructions.
        One respondent suggested moving the subsection concerning changing 
    the scope of the project from the section describing the conditions 
    precedent to issuing a loan note guarantee to the section discussing 
    the review of requirements in the conditional commitment. The Agency 
    agrees and has moved this subsection.
    
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        One respondent suggested that the number of customers discussed in 
    the loan application evaluation section should apply only to Water and 
    Waste Division projects. The Agency disagrees. The number of customers 
    is important for other utility-type projects such as gas distribution 
    systems. Also, the number of customers may play an important role in 
    other community facilities-type projects such as hospitals, nursing 
    homes, and child care.
        One respondent questioned if the certifications listed under the 
    conditions precedent to issuance of the loan note guarantee section met 
    all applicable requirements set out in the regulations. It was 
    suggested clarification was needed. The Agency listed the items which 
    the lender must certify to before the loan note guarantee could be 
    issued. By certifying to these conditions, the lender is stating that 
    it has met the requirements set out in the regulation.
        One respondent requested clarification concerning the title report 
    under the lender's certifications in the conditions precedent to 
    issuance of a loan note guarantee. The respondent wanted to know 
    whether or not the title report was referring to a final title opinion 
    or a preliminary title opinion. The Agency intends this to be the 
    lender's legal counsel's opinion which states that the loan has been 
    closed and proper title has been obtained in accordance with the 
    security instrument and other agreements between the lender and the 
    Agency.
        One respondent requested further clarification of the guaranteed 
    loan closing report. This report is a Rural Development form. All 
    references to specific form numbers have been eliminated from the 
    actual text of the Federal Register. The actual form numbers will 
    appear in the Agency instructions to our field employees. Only the form 
    names appear in the Federal Register.
        One respondent questioned the need to require a parity lien 
    position. We agree, the lender should determine that adequate security 
    is obtained for the loan and the Agency can either concur or choose not 
    to guarantee the loan accordingly. This requirement has been deleted.
        One respondent requested that the Agency eliminate the test for 
    credit. The respondent further points out that the Rural Development 
    Business and Industry (B&I) program does not require such a test for 
    credit to be eligible for a guaranteed loan. The Agency is bound by 
    statute and must require this test for credit. The B&I program is 
    exempt from this statutory provision.
        One respondent suggested that finder and packaging fees be 
    considered an eligible loan purpose. This comment also suggested paying 
    real estate broker fees. These fees are already paid as part of the 
    sale and purchase. To be consistent with other Community Facilities 
    loan programs, the Agency does not consider finder fees necessary. All 
    Community Programs loans have professional and technical assistance 
    such as architects, engineers, and accountants who provide similar 
    services. Consequently, the Agency feels that paying additional fees is 
    unnecessary.
        One respondent requested clarification concerning whether or not 
    the preapplication forms are still necessary when the Agency receives 
    an application for a loan guarantee from a lender without going through 
    the preapplication process. The Agency will accept applications without 
    a preapplication package.
    
    Servicing
    
        Two respondents strongly suggested that the audit requirements 
    should be the lender's responsibility. We agree, based upon discussions 
    with our sister agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 
    we have determined that we do not have continuing compliance 
    requirements as described in the OMB circular A-133. Consequently, in 
    the year that funds are received, the Agency will require an audit in 
    accordance with the OMB circular A-133. In subsequent years, the lender 
    (with Agency concurrence) will determine the type of financial 
    reporting and financial audits that will be required for the duration 
    of the loan.
        One respondent noted that the lender and borrower visits were 
    omitted and suggested that they should be required periodically. While 
    we agree, this is an administrative matter and will be addressed in the 
    Agency's field instruction.
        One respondent wanted to clarify that the sale of one lender to 
    another in a merger situation did not constitute a transfer of lender. 
    We agree.
        One respondent suggested that we increase the amount of protective 
    advances from $500 to $5,000 dollars. This amount would be consistent 
    with other mission area regulations and would be consistent with 
    inflation. We agree, the amount of protective advances which the lender 
    can make without Agency concurrence has been increased from $500 to 
    $5,000.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    7 CFR Part 1980
    
        Loan programs--Agriculture, Loan programs--Business and industry, 
    Loan programs--Housing and community development, Rural development 
    assisance.
    
    7 CFR Part 3575
    
        Community facilities, Guaranteed loans, Loan programs.
    
        Accordingly, chapters XVIII and XXXV, title 7, Code of Federal 
    Regulations, are amended as follows:
    
    PART 1980--GENERAL
    
        1. The authority citation for part 1980 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 42 U.S.C. 1480.
    
    Subpart I--Community Programs Guaranteed Loans
    
    
    Sec. 1980.801  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 1980.801(b) is amended by removing the words ``and other 
    essential community'' in the first sentence.
    
    
    Sec. 1980.802  [Amended]
    
        3. Section 1980.802 is amended by removing the definition for 
    ``Community facilities.''
    
    
    Sec. 1980.805  [Amended]
    
        4. Section 1980.805 is amended by removing the third through the 
    seventh sentences of the section.
    
    
    Sec. 1980.813  [Amended]
    
        5. Section 1980.813 is amended in the introductory text of 
    paragraph (a) by revising the words ``, and other essential community 
    facilities providing essential'' to read ``providing'' in the first 
    sentence and by removing paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(2); 
    paragraphs (a)(3), (b)(3), and (b)(4), are redesignated as paragraphs 
    (a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(2), respectively; and by removing the words 
    ``and X-ray machines'' in newly redesignated paragraph (a)(2)(i).
    
    
    Sec. 1980.814  [Amended]
    
        6. Section 1980.814 is amended by removing paragraph (d) and 
    redesignating paragraphs (e) through (h) as paragraphs (d) through (g), 
    respectively.
        7. Section 1980.844 is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 1980.844  Appraisal reports.
    
        The borrower is responsible for the acquisition of all property 
    rights necessary for the project and will determine that prices paid 
    are reasonable and fair.
    
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        8. Chapter XXXV, title 7, Code of Federal Regulations is amended by 
    adding a new part 3575 to read as follows:
    
    PART 3575--GENERAL
    
    Subpart A--Community Programs Guaranteed Loans
    
    Sec.
    3575.1  General.
    3575.2  Definitions.
    3575.3  Full faith and credit.
    3575.4  Conditions of guarantee.
    3575.5-3575.7  [Reserved]
    3575.8  Access to lender's records.
    3575.9  Environmental requirements.
    3575.10-3575.11  [Reserved]
    3575.12  Inspections.
    3575.13  Appeals.
    3575.14-3575.16  [Reserved]
    3575.17  Exception authority.
    3575.18-3575.19  [Reserved]
    3575.20  Eligibility.
    3575.21-3575.23  [Reserved]
    3575.24  Eligible loan purposes.
    3575.25  Ineligible loan purposes.
    3575.26  [Reserved]
    3575.27  Eligible lenders.
    3575.28  Transfer of lenders or borrowers (prior to issuance of Loan 
    Note Guarantee).
    3575.29  Fees and charges by lender.
    3575.30  Loan guarantee limitations.
    3575.31-3575.32  [Reserved]
    3575.33  Interest rates.
    3575.34  Terms of loan repayment.
    3575.35-3575.36  [Reserved]
    3575.37  Insurance and fidelity bonds.
    3575.38-3575.39  [Reserved]
    3575.40  Equal opportunity and Fair Housing Act requirements.
    3575.41  [Reserved]
    3575.42  Design and construction requirements.
    3575.43  Other Federal, State, and local requirements.
    3575.44-3575.46  [Reserved]
    3575.47  Economic feasibility requirements.
    3575.48  Security.
    3575.49-3575.51  [Reserved]
    3575.52  Processing.
    3575.53  Evaluation of application.
    3575.54-3575.58  [Reserved]
    3575.59  Review of requirements.
    3575.60-3575.62  [Reserved]
    3575.63  Conditions precedent to issuance of the Loan Note 
    Guarantee.
    3575.64  Issuance of Lender's Agreement, Loan Note Guarantee, and 
    Assignment Guarantee Agreement.
    3575.65  Lender's sale or assignment of the guaranteed portion of 
    loan.
    3575.66-3575.68  [Reserved]
    3575.69  Loan servicing.
    3575.70-3575.72  [Reserved]
    3575.73  Replacement of loss, theft, destruction, mutilation, or 
    defacement of Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee Agreement.
    3575.74  [Reserved]
    3575.75  Defaults by borrower.
    3575.76-3575.77  [Reserved]
    3575.78  Repurchase of loan.
    3575.79  [Reserved]
    3575.80  Interest rate changes after loan closing.
    3575.81  Liquidation.
    3575.82  [Reserved]
    3575.83  Protective advances.
    3575.84  Additional loans or advances.
    3575.85  Bankruptcy.
    3575.86-3575.87  [Reserved]
    3575.88  Transfer and assumptions.
    3575.89  Mergers.
    3575.90  Disposition of acquired property.
    3575.91-3575.93  [Reserved]
    3575.94  Determination and payment of loss.
    3575.95  Future recovery.
    3575.96  Termination of Loan Note Guarantee.
    3575.97-3575.99  [Reserved]
    3575.100  OMB control number.
    
    Subpart B--[Reserved]
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 7 U.S.C. 1989.
    
    Subpart A--Community Programs Guaranteed Loans
    
    
    Sec. 3575.1  General.
    
        (a) This subpart contains the regulations for Community Programs 
    loans guaranteed by the Agency and applies to lenders, holders, 
    borrowers, and other parties involved in making, guaranteeing, holding, 
    servicing, or liquidating such loans.
        (b) The purpose of the Community Programs guaranteed loan program 
    is to improve, develop, or finance essential community facilities in 
    rural areas. This purpose is achieved through bolstering the existing 
    private credit structure through the guarantee of quality loans which 
    will provide lasting community benefits.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.2  Definitions.
    
        The following general definitions are applicable to the terms used 
    in this subpart:
        Agency. The Rural Housing Service which is within the Rural 
    Development mission area of the United States Department of Agriculture 
    or its successor agencies with authority delegated by the Secretary of 
    Agriculture to administer the Community Facilities programs.
        Application. An Agency prescribed form to request an Agency 
    guarantee (available in any Agency office).
        Arm's length transaction. The sale, release, or disposition of 
    assets in which the title to the property passes to a ready, willing, 
    and able third party who is not affiliated with, or related to, and has 
    no security, monetary, or stockholder interest in the borrower or 
    transferor at the time of the transaction.
        Assignment Guarantee Agreement. The signed agreement among the 
    Agency, the lender, and the holder setting forth the terms and 
    conditions of an assignment of the guaranteed portion of a loan or any 
    part thereof (available in any Agency office).
        Borrower. The entity that borrows money from the lender.
        Collateral. Property pledged to secure the guaranteed loan.
        Community facility (essential). The term ``facility'' as used in 
    this subpart refers to both the physical structure financed and the 
    resulting service provided to rural residents. An essential community 
    facility must:
        (1) Be a function customarily provided by a local unit of 
    government;
        (2) Be a public improvement needed for the orderly development of a 
    rural community;
        (3) Not include private affairs or commercial or business 
    undertakings (except for limited authority for industrial parks);
        (4) Be within the area of jurisdiction or operation for eligible 
    public bodies or a similar local rural service area of a not-for-profit 
    corporation; and
        (5) Be located in a rural area.
        Conditional Commitment for Guarantee. The Agency's written 
    statement to the lender that the material submitted is approved subject 
    to the completion of all conditions and requirements contained in the 
    commitment (available in any Agency office).
        Guaranteed loan. A loan made and serviced by a lender for which the 
    Agency and lender have entered into a Lender's Agreement and for which 
    the Agency has issued a Loan Note Guarantee.
        Holder. The person or entity (other than the lender) who holds all 
    or a part of the guaranteed portion of the loan with no servicing 
    responsibilities. When the lender assigns part or all of the guaranteed 
    portion of the loan to an assignee, the assignee becomes a holder when 
    the Assignment Guarantee Agreement is signed by all parties.
        Immediate family. Individuals who are closely related by blood or 
    by marriage, or within the same household, such as a spouse, parent, 
    child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, grandchild, niece, or 
    nephew.
        In-house expenses. In-house expenses include, but are not limited 
    to, employees' salaries, staff lawyers, travel, and overhead.
        Insurance. Fire, windstorm, lightning, hail, explosion, riot, civil 
    commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, builder's risk, liability, 
    property damage, flood or mudslide, worker's compensation, fidelity 
    bond, malpractice, or any similar insurance that is available and 
    needed to protect the security or that is required by law.
    
    [[Page 28338]]
    
        Joint financing. Two or more lenders (or any combination of lenders 
    and other financial sources) making separate relatively contemporaneous 
    loans to supply the funds required by one borrower. For example, such 
    joint financing may consist of the Agency's financial assistance with 
    the Economic Development Administration, Department of Housing and 
    Urban Development (HUD), or other Federal and State agencies, and 
    private and quasi-public financial institutions.
        Lender. The person or organization making and responsible for 
    servicing the loan. The lender is also referred to in this subpart as 
    the applicant who is requesting a guarantee during the preapplication 
    and application stage of processing.
        Lender's Agreement. The signed agreement between the Agency and the 
    lender containing the lender's responsibilities when the Loan Note 
    Guarantee is issued (available in any Agency office).
        Loan classification system. The process by which loans are examined 
    and categorized by degree of potential loss in the event of default.
        Loan Note Guarantee. The signed commitment issued by the Agency 
    containing the terms and conditions of the guarantee of an identified 
    loan (available in any Agency office).
        Market value. The amount for which property would sell for its 
    highest and best use at a voluntary sale in an arm's length 
    transaction.
        Note. An evidence of debt. In those instances where the Agency 
    guarantees a bond issue, ``note'' shall also be construed to include a 
    bond or other evidence of indebtedness, as appropriate.
        Participation. Sale of an interest in a loan in which the lender 
    retains the note, collateral securing the note, and all responsibility 
    for loan servicing and liquidation.
        Principals of borrowers. The owners, officers, directors, entities, 
    and supervisors directly involved in the operation and management of 
    the borrower.
        Problem loan. A loan which is not complying with its terms and 
    conditions.
        Protective advances. Advances made by the lender for the purpose of 
    preserving and protecting the collateral where the debtor has failed 
    to, and will not or cannot, meet obligations to protect or preserve 
    collateral.
        Public body. A municipality, county, or other political subdivision 
    of a State, special purpose district, an Indian tribe on a Federal or 
    State reservation, or another federally recognized Indian tribe.
        Report of loss. A form used by lenders when reporting a loss under 
    an Agency guarantee (available in any Agency office).
        Rural and rural area. (1) For fiscal year 1999, the terms ``rural'' 
    and ``rural area'' mean a city, town, or unincorporated area with 
    20,000 inhabitants or less according to the latest decennnial census.
        (2) For later fiscal years, the terms ``rural'' and ``rural area'' 
    mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of 
    50,000 inhabitants or less according to the latest decennial census of 
    the United States, other than an urbanized area immediately adjacent to 
    a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population in excess of 
    50,000 inhabitants.
        Service area. The area reasonably expected to be served by the 
    facility being financed by the guaranteed loan.
        State. Any of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
    Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth 
    of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
    Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
        State Bond Banks and State Bond Pools. An entity authorized by the 
    State to issue State debt instruments and utilize the funds received to 
    finance essential community facilities.
        State Director. The Rural Development State Director or the staff 
    member who has been delegated authority to perform action on behalf of 
    the State Director.
        Substantive change. Any change in the purpose of the loan or any 
    change in the financial condition of the borrower or the collateral 
    which would jeopardize the performance of the loan.
        Transfer and assumption. The conveyance by a debtor to an assuming 
    party of the assets, collateral, and liabilities of the loan in return 
    for the assuming party's binding promise to pay the outstanding debt.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.3  Full faith and credit.
    
        The Loan Note Guarantee constitutes an obligation supported by the 
    full faith and credit of the United States and is not contestable 
    except for fraud or misrepresentation (including negligent 
    misrepresentation) of which the lender or holder has actual knowledge, 
    participates in, or condones. A note which provides for the payment of 
    interest on interest shall not be guaranteed and any Loan Note 
    Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee Agreement attached to, or relating 
    to, a note which provides for payment of interest on interest is void. 
    The Loan Note Guarantee will not be enforceable by the lender to the 
    extent any loss is occasioned by violation of usury laws, negligent 
    servicing, or failure to obtain the required security regardless of the 
    time at which the Agency acquires knowledge of the foregoing. Any 
    losses occasioned will not be enforceable by the lender to the extent 
    that loan funds are used for purposes other than those specifically 
    approved by the Agency in its Conditional Commitment for Guarantee. 
    Negligent servicing is defined as the failure to perform those services 
    which a reasonably prudent lender would perform in servicing its own 
    portfolio of loans that are not guaranteed. The term includes not only 
    the concept of a failure to act, but also not acting in a timely 
    manner, acting in a manner contrary to the manner in which a reasonably 
    prudent lender would act up to the time of loan maturity, or until a 
    final loss is paid. The Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee 
    Agreement in the hands of a holder shall not cover interest accruing 90 
    days after the holder has demanded repurchase by the lender, nor shall 
    the Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee Agreement in the hands 
    of a holder cover interest accruing 90 days after the lender or Agency 
    has requested the holder to surrender the evidence of debt for 
    repurchase.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.4  Conditions of guarantee.
    
        A loan guarantee under this part will be evidenced by a Loan Note 
    Guarantee issued by the Agency. Each lender will also execute a 
    Lender's Agreement.
        (a) The entire loan will be secured by the same security with equal 
    lien priority for the guaranteed and non-guaranteed portions of the 
    loan. The non-guaranteed portion of the loan will not be paid first nor 
    given any preference or priority over the guaranteed portion.
        (b) The lender will be responsible for servicing the entire loan 
    and will remain mortgagee or secured party of record notwithstanding 
    the fact that another party may hold a portion of the loan.
        (c) When a guaranteed portion of a loan is sold to a holder, the 
    holder shall have all rights of the lender under the Loan Note 
    Guarantee to the extent of the portion purchased. The lender will 
    remain bound by all the obligations under the Loan Note Guarantee, 
    Lender's Agreement, and Agency program regulations. If the Agency makes 
    a payment to a holder, then the lender must reimburse the Agency.
    
    [[Page 28339]]
    
        (d) A lender will receive all payments of principal and interest on 
    the account of the entire loan and will promptly remit to each holder a 
    pro rata share, less any lender servicing fee.
        (e) The lender may retain all of the unguaranteed portion of the 
    loan or may sell part of the unguaranteed portion of the loan through 
    participation. However, the lender is required to retain 5 percent of 
    the loan amount from the unguaranteed portion in their portfolio.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.5--3575.7  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.8  Access to lender's records.
    
        Upon request by the Agency, the lender will permit representatives 
    of the Agency (or other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
    authorized by that Department or the U.S. Government) to inspect and 
    make copies of any of the records of the lender pertaining to the 
    guaranteed loans. Such inspection and copying may be made during 
    regular office hours of the lender or at any other time the lender and 
    the Agency agree upon.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.9  Environmental requirements.
    
        Requirements for an environmental review or mitigation actions are 
    contained in part 1940, subpart G, of this title. The lender must 
    assist the Agency to ensure that the lender's applicant complies with 
    any mitigation measures required by the Agency's environmental review 
    for the purpose of avoiding or reducing adverse environmental impacts 
    of construction or operation of the facility financed with the 
    guaranteed loan. This assistance includes ensuring that the lender's 
    applicant is to take no actions (for example, initiation of 
    construction) or incur any obligations with respect to their proposed 
    undertaking that would either limit the range of alternatives to be 
    considered during the Agency's environmental review process or which 
    would have an adverse effect on the environment. If construction is 
    started prior to completion of the environmental review and the Agency 
    is deprived of its opportunity to fulfill its obligation to comply with 
    applicable environmental requirements, the application for financial 
    assistance may be denied. Satisfactory completion of the environmental 
    review process must occur prior to Agency approval of the applicant's 
    request or any commitment of Agency resources.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.10--3575.11  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.12  Inspections.
    
        The lender will notify the Agency of any scheduled field 
    inspections during construction and after issuance of the Loan Note 
    Guarantee. The Agency may attend such field inspections. Any 
    inspections or review conducted by the Agency, including those with the 
    lender, are for the benefit of the Agency only and not for the benefit 
    of other parties of interest. Agency inspections do not relieve any 
    parties of interest of their responsibilities to conduct necessary 
    inspections.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.13  Appeals.
    
        Only the borrower, lender, or holder can appeal an Agency decision. 
    In cases where the Agency has denied or reduced the amount of final 
    loss payment to the lender, the adverse decision may be appealed only 
    by the lender. A decision by a lender adverse to the interest of the 
    borrower is not a decision by the Agency, whether or not concurred in 
    by the Agency. Appeals will be handled in accordance with the 
    regulations of the National Appeals Division, U.S. Department of 
    Agriculture, published at 7 CFR part 11.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.14--3575.16  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.17  Exception authority.
    
        The Administrator may, in individual cases, make an exception to 
    any requirement or provision of this subpart or address any omission of 
    this subpart provided the Administrator determines that application of 
    the requirement or provision, or failure to take action in the case of 
    an omission, would adversely affect the Government's financial 
    interest. Requests for exceptions must be in writing by the State 
    Director.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.18--3575.19  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.20  Eligibility.
    
        (a) Availability of credit from other sources. The Agency must 
    determine that the borrower is unable to obtain the required credit 
    without the loan guarantee from private, commercial, or cooperative 
    sources at reasonable rates and terms for loans for similar purposes 
    and periods of time. This determination shall become a part of the 
    Agency casefile. The Agency must also determine if an outstanding 
    judgment obtained by the United States in a Federal Court (other than 
    the U.S. Tax Court) has been entered against the borrower or if the 
    borrower has an outstanding delinquent debt with any Federal agency. 
    Such judgment or delinquency shall cause the potential borrower to be 
    ineligible to receive a loan guarantee until the judgment is paid in 
    full or otherwise satisfied or the delinquency is cured.
        (b) Legal authority and responsibility. (1) Each borrower must 
    have, or will obtain, the legal authority necessary to construct, 
    operate, and maintain the proposed facility and services. They must 
    also have legal authority for obtaining security and repaying the 
    proposed loan.
        (2) The borrower shall be responsible for operating, maintaining, 
    and managing the facility and services, and providing for the continued 
    availability and use of the facility and services at reasonable rates 
    and terms.
        (i) These responsibilities must be exercised by the borrower even 
    though the facility may be operated, maintained, or managed by a third 
    party under contract, management agreement, or written lease.
        (ii) Leases may only be used when this is the only feasible way to 
    provide the service, is the customary practice to provide such service 
    in the State, and must provide for the borrower's management control of 
    the facility.
        (iii) Contracts, management agreements, or leases must not contain 
    options or other provisions for transfer of ownership.
        (3) The lender is responsible for reviewing any contracts, 
    management agreements, or leases to determine that they will not 
    adversely impact the borrower's repayment ability or the security value 
    of the guaranteed loan.
        (c) Borrower. (1) A public body such as a municipality, county, 
    district, authority, or other political subdivision of a State located 
    in a rural area.
        (2) An organization operated on a not-for-profit basis such as an 
    association, cooperative, or private corporation. For-profit 
    corporations operated as not-for-profit corporations are eligible 
    borrowers as long as they operate as a not-for-profit corporation for 
    the duration of their guaranteed loans. Single member corporations or 
    corporations owned or substantially controlled by other corporations or 
    associations are not eligible organizations. Before a loan is made to a 
    borrower other than a public body, the articles of incorporation or the 
    loan agreement will include a condition similar to the following:
    
        If the corporation dissolves or ceases to perform the community 
    facility objectives and functions, the board of directors shall 
    distribute all business property and assets to one or more nonprofit 
    corporations or public bodies. This distribution must be approved by 
    75 percent of the users or members and must serve the public welfare 
    of the community. The assets may not be distributed to any members, 
    directors, stockholders, or others having financial or managerial 
    interest in the corporation. Nothing herein shall prohibit the 
    corporation from paying its debts.
    
        (3) A private nonprofit essential community facility (other than 
    utilities)
    
    [[Page 28340]]
    
    must have significant ties with the local rural community. Such ties 
    are necessary to ensure to the greatest extent possible that a facility 
    under private control will carry out a public purpose and continue to 
    primarily serve rural areas. Ties may be evidenced by items such as:
        (i) Association with, or controlled by, a local public body or 
    bodies or broadly based ownership and controlled by members of the 
    community.
        (ii) Substantial public funding through taxes, revenue bonds, or 
    other local government sources, or substantial voluntary community 
    funding such as would be obtained through a community-wide funding 
    campaign.
        (4) Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other 
    federally recognized Indian tribes.
        (d) Facility location. Facilities must be located in rural areas, 
    except:
        (1) For utility services such as natural gas or hydroelectric 
    serving both rural and non-rural areas. In such cases, Agency funds may 
    be used to finance only that portion serving rural areas, regardless of 
    facility location.
        (2) Telecommunication projects. The part of the facility located in 
    a non-rural area must be necessary to provide the essential services to 
    rural areas.
        (e) Facilities for public use. All facilities financed under the 
    provisions of this subpart shall be for public purposes.
        (1) Facilities will be installed to serve any user within the 
    service area who desires service and can be feasibly and legally 
    served.
        (2) In no case will boundaries for the proposed service area be 
    chosen in such a way that any user or area will be excluded because of 
    race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability, or 
    national origin. This does not preclude:
        (i) Financing or constructing projects in phases when it is not 
    practical to finance or construct the entire project at one time, and
        (ii) Financing or constructing facilities where it is not 
    economically feasible to serve the entire area, provided economic 
    feasibility is determined on the basis of the entire system or facility 
    and not by considering the cost of separate extensions to, or parts 
    thereof. Additionally, the borrower must publicly announce a plan for 
    extending service to areas not initially receiving service. Also, the 
    borrower must provide written notice to potential users located in the 
    areas not to be initially served.
        (3) The lender will determine that, when feasible and legally 
    possible, inequities within the proposed project's service area for the 
    same type service proposed (i.e., gas distribution system) will be 
    remedied by the owner on, or before, completion of the project. 
    Inequities are defined as unjustified variations in availability, 
    adequacy, or quality of service. User rate schedules for portions of 
    existing systems or facilities that were developed under different 
    financing, rates, terms, or conditions do not necessarily constitute 
    inequities.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.21--3575.23  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.24  Eligible loan purposes.
    
        (a) Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise 
    improve other essential community facilities providing essential 
    service primarily to rural residents and rural businesses.
        (1) Essential community facilities include, but are not limited to:
        (i) Fire, rescue, and public safety,
        (ii) Health services,
        (iii) Community, social, or cultural services,
        (iv) Transportation facilities such as streets, roads, and bridges,
        (v) Telecommunication equipment,
        (vi) Hydroelectric generating facilities and related connecting 
    systems and appurtenances only when not eligible for financing under 
    the authorities of the Rural Utilities Service. Funds may not be used 
    to finance other types of electrical generating or transmitting 
    facilities,
        (vii) Supplemental and supporting structures for other rural 
    electrification or telephone systems (including facilities such as 
    headquarters and office buildings, storage facilities, and maintenance 
    shops) only when not eligible for financing under the authorities of 
    the Rural Utilities Service,
        (viii) Natural gas distribution systems,
        (ix) Industrial park sites (but only to the extent of land 
    acquisition and necessary site preparation) including access ways and 
    utility extensions to and throughout the site. Funds may not be used in 
    connection with industrial parks to finance on-site utility systems or 
    business and industrial buildings, and
        (x) Recreational facilities.
        (2) Otherwise improve includes, but is not limited to, the 
    following:
        (i) The purchase of major equipment (such as telecommunication 
    equipment and X-ray machines) which will in themselves provide an 
    essential service to rural residents,
        (ii) The purchase of existing facilities, when necessary, either to 
    improve or to prevent a loss of service, and
        (iii) Payment of tap fees and other utility connection charges as 
    provided in utility purchase contracts.
        (b) Funds also may be used:
        (1) To construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, 
    fences, or utilities and to make other public improvements necessary to 
    the successful operation or protection of facilities authorized by 
    paragraph (a) of this section.
        (2) To relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or 
    utilities, and other private improvements necessary to the successful 
    operation or protection of facilities authorized in paragraph (a) of 
    this section.
        (3) To pay the following expenses (but only when such expenses are 
    a necessary part of a loan to finance facilities authorized in 
    paragraph (a) of this section):
        (i) Reasonable fees and costs such as origination fee, loan 
    guarantee fee, legal, engineering, architectural, fiscal advisory, 
    recording, environmental impact analyses, archaeological surveys, 
    possible salvage or other mitigation measures, planning and 
    establishing or acquiring rights.
        (ii) Interest on loans until the facility is self-supporting, but 
    not for more than 2 years unless a longer period is approved by the 
    Agency; interest on loans secured by general obligation bonds until tax 
    revenues are available for payment, but not for more than 2 years 
    unless a longer period is approved by the Agency's National Office; and 
    interest on interim financing.
        (iii) Costs of acquiring interest in land; rights such as water 
    rights, leases, permits, rights-of-way, and other evidence of land or 
    water control necessary for development of the facility.
        (iv) Purchasing or renting equipment necessary to install, 
    maintain, extend, protect, operate, or utilize facilities.
        (v) Initial operating expenses for a period ordinarily not 
    exceeding 1 year when the borrower is unable to pay such expenses.
        (vi) Refinancing debts incurred by, or on behalf of, a community 
    when all of the following conditions exist:
        (A) The debts being refinanced are less than 50 percent of the 
    total loan,
        (B) The debts were incurred for the facility or service being 
    financed or any part thereof (such as interim financing, construction 
    expenses, etc.), and
        (C) Arrangements cannot be made with the creditors to extend or 
    modify the terms of the debts so that a sound basis will exist for 
    making a loan.
        (4) To pay obligations for construction incurred prior to filing a 
    preapplication and application with the Agency. Construction work must 
    not be started (and obligations for such work or materials must not be 
    incurred) before
    
    [[Page 28341]]
    
    the Conditional Commitment for Guarantee is issued. If there are 
    compelling reasons for proceeding with construction before the 
    Conditional Commitment for Guarantee is issued, lenders may request 
    Agency approval to pay such obligations and not jeopardize a guarantee 
    from the Agency. Such request must comply with the following:
        (i) Provide conclusive evidence that the contract was entered into 
    without intent to circumvent the Agency regulations. However, the 
    Agency is not required or obligated to pay a loss unless a written 
    guarantee is issued,
        (ii) Modify the outstanding contract to conform with the provisions 
    of this subpart. Where this is not possible, modifications will be made 
    to the extent practicable and, as a minimum, the contract must comply 
    with all State and local laws and regulations as well as statutory 
    requirements and executive orders related to the Agency financing. When 
    construction is complete and it is impracticable to modify the 
    contract, the borrower and lender must provide the certification 
    required by paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section,
        (iii) Provide a certification by an engineer or architect that any 
    construction performed complies fully with the plans and 
    specifications, and
        (iv) The borrower and the contractor must have complied with all 
    statutory and executive order requirements related to Agency financing 
    for construction already performed even though the requirements may not 
    have been included in the contract documents.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.25  Ineligible loan purposes.
    
        Loan funds may not be used to finance:
        (a) Properties to be used for commercial rental when the borrower 
    has no control over tenants and services offered except for industrial-
    site infrastructure development,
        (b) Facilities primarily for the purpose of housing Federal or 
    State agencies,
        (c) Community antenna television services or facilities,
        (d) Telephone systems,
        (e) Facilities which are not modest in size, design, and cost,
        (f) Finder's and packager's fees,
        (g) Projects located within the Coastal Barriers Resource System 
    that do not qualify for an exception as defined in section 6 of the 
    Coastal Barriers Resource Act, 16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (available in any 
    Agency office),
        (h) New combined sanitary and storm water sewer facilities, or
        (i) Projects that are located in a special flood or mudslide hazard 
    area as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a 
    community that is not participating in the National Flood Insurance 
    Program.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.26  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.27  Eligible lenders.
    
        (a) Eligible lenders. Eligible lenders (as defined in this section) 
    may participate in the loan guarantee program. These lenders must be 
    subject to credit examination and supervision by an appropriate agency 
    of the United States or a State that supervises and regulates credit 
    institutions. A lender must have the capability to adequately service 
    loans for which a guarantee is requested. Eligible lenders are:
        (1) Any Federal or State chartered bank or savings and loan 
    association;
        (2) Any mortgage company that is a part of a bank holding company;
        (3) Bank for Cooperatives, National Rural Utilities Cooperative 
    Finance Corporation, Farm Credit Bank of the Federal Land Bank, or 
    other Farm Credit System institution with direct lending authority 
    authorized to make loans of the type guaranteed by this subpart;
        (4) An insurance company regulated by a State or National insurance 
    regulatory agency;
        (5) State Bond Banks or State Bond Pools; and
        (6) Other lenders that possess the legal powers necessary and 
    incidental to making and servicing guaranteed loans involving community 
    development-type projects. These lenders must also be subject to credit 
    examination and supervision by either an appropriate agency of the 
    United States or a State that supervises and regulates credit 
    institutions and provide documentation acceptable to the Agency that 
    they have the ability to service the loan. Lenders under this category 
    must be approved by the National Office prior to the issuance of the 
    loan guarantee.
        (b) Conflict of interest. When the lender's officers, stockholders, 
    directors, or partners (including their immediate families) or the 
    borrower, its officers, stockholders, directors, or partners (including 
    their immediate families) own, or have management responsibilities in 
    each other, the lender must disclose such business or ownership 
    relationships. The Agency will determine if such relationships are 
    likely to result in a conflict of interest. This does not preclude 
    lender officials from being on the borrower's board of directors.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.28  Transfer of lenders or borrowers (prior to issuance of 
    Loan Note Guarantee).
    
        (a) Prior to issuance of the loan guarantee, the Agency may approve 
    the transfer of an outstanding Conditional Commitment for Guarantee 
    from the present lender to a new eligible lender, provided:
        (1) The former lender states in writing why it does not wish to 
    continue to be the lender for this project;
        (2) No substantive changes in ownership or control of the borrower 
    has occurred;
        (3) No substantive changes in the borrower's written plan, scope of 
    work, or changes in the purpose or intent of the project has occurred; 
    and
        (4) No substantive changes in the loan agreement or Conditional 
    Commitment for Guarantee are required.
        (b) The substitute lender must execute a new application for loan 
    and guarantee (available in any Agency office).
        (c) If approved, the Agency will issue a letter of amendment to the 
    original Conditional Commitment for Guarantee reflecting the new lender 
    who will acknowledge acceptance of the offer in writing.
        (d) Once the Conditional Commitment for Guarantee is issued, the 
    Agency will not approve any substitution of borrowers, including 
    changes in the form of the legal entity. Exceptions to a change in the 
    legal entity may be requested when the original borrower is replaced 
    with substantially the same individuals or officers with the same 
    interest as originally approved.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.29  Fees and charges by lender.
    
        (a) Routine charges and fees. The lender may establish the charges 
    and fees for the loan, provided they do not exceed those charged other 
    borrowers for similar types of transactions. ``Similar types of 
    transactions'' mean those transactions involving the same type of loan 
    for which a non-guaranteed loan borrower would be assessed charges and 
    fees.
        (b) Late payment fees. Late payment charges will not be covered by 
    the Loan Note Guarantee. Such charges may not be added to the principal 
    and interest due under any guaranteed note. Late payment charges may be 
    made only if:
        (1) They are routinely made by the lender in all types of loan 
    transactions;
        (2) Payment has not been received within the customary timeframe 
    allowed by the lender; or
        (3) The lender agrees with the borrower, in writing, that the rate 
    or method of calculating the late payment charges will not be changed 
    to increase charges while the Loan Note Guarantee is in effect.
        (c) Guarantee fees. The guaranteed loan fee will be the applicable 
    guarantee fee rate multiplied by the principal loan amount multiplied 
    by the percent of
    
    [[Page 28342]]
    
    guarantee. The one-time guarantee fee is paid when the Loan Note 
    Guarantee is issued.
        (1) The fee will be paid to the Agency by the lender and is 
    nonreturnable. The lender may pass the fee to the borrower.
        (2) The guarantee fee rates are available in any Agency office.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.30  Loan guarantee limitations.
    
        The percentage of guarantee, up to the maximum allowed by this 
    section, is a matter for negotiation between the lender and the Agency.
        (a) The maximum guarantee is 90 percent of eligible loss.
        (b) The lender will retain a minimum of 5 percent of the total loan 
    amount. The retained amount must be from the unguaranteed portion of 
    the loan and cannot be participated to another lender.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.31--3575.32  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.33  Interest rates.
    
        (a) General. Rates will be negotiated between the lender and the 
    borrower.
        They may be either fixed or variable rates. Interest rates will be 
    those rates customarily charged borrowers in similar circumstances in 
    the ordinary course of business and are subject to Agency review and 
    approval.
        (b) Variable rate publication. A variable interest rate must be 
    tied to a base rate published periodically in a recognized national or 
    regional financial publication specifically agreed to by the lender and 
    borrower. Such an agreement must be documented in the borrower or 
    lender loan agreement.
        (1) Interest rate caps and incremental adjustment limitations will 
    also be negotiated between the lender and the borrower. Notice of any 
    interest rate change proposed by the lender should allow a sufficient 
    time period for the borrower to obtain any required State or other 
    regulatory approval and to implement any user rate adjustments 
    necessary as a result of the interest rate change. The intervals 
    between interest rate adjustments will be specified in the loan 
    agreement (but not more often than quarterly).
        (2) The lender must incorporate within the variable rate note, the 
    provision for adjustment of payments coincident with an interest rate 
    adjustment. This will ensure the outstanding principal balance is 
    properly amortized within the prescribed loan maturity and eliminate 
    the possibility of a balloon payment at the end of the loan.
        (c) Changes. Any change in the interest rate between the date of 
    issuance of the Conditional Commitment for Guarantee and before the 
    issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee must be approved by the Agency. 
    Approval of such change will be shown as an amendment to the 
    Conditional Commitment for Guarantee.
        (d) Different rates on guaranteed and unguaranteed portion of the 
    loan. It is permissible to have one interest rate on the guaranteed 
    portion of the loan and another interest rate on the unguaranteed 
    portion of the loan, provided the lender and borrower agree, and:
        (1) The rate on the unguaranteed portion does not exceed that 
    currently being charged on loans for similar purposes to borrowers 
    under similar circumstances; and,
        (2) The rate on the guaranteed portion of the loan will not exceed 
    the rate on the unguaranteed portion. This requirement does not apply 
    when the unguaranteed rate is variable and the guaranteed portion is 
    fixed.
        (e) Multi-rates. When multi-rates are used, the lender will provide 
    the Agency with the overall effective interest rate for the entire 
    loan. Multi-rate loans may be either fixed, variable, or a combination 
    of fixed and variable. When a combination of fixed and variable 
    interest rates are used, the interest rate for the unguaranteed portion 
    will not be lower than the guaranteed portion of the loan.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.34  Terms of loan repayment.
    
        (a) General. Principal and interest on the loan will be due and 
    payable as provided in the note except, any interest accrued as the 
    result of the borrower's default on the guaranteed loan over and above 
    that which would have accrued at the note rate on the guaranteed loan 
    will not be guaranteed by the Agency. The lender will structure 
    repayments as established in the loan agreement between the lender and 
    borrower. Ordinarily, such installments will be scheduled for payment 
    as agreed upon by the lender and borrower on terms that reasonably 
    ensure repayment of the loan. However, the first installment to include 
    a repayment of principal may be scheduled for payment after the project 
    is operable and has begun to generate income. Such installment must be 
    due and payable within 3 years from the date of the note and at least 
    annually thereafter. Interest will be due at least annually from the 
    date of the note. Monthly payments will be required except for 
    borrowers with income limited to less frequent intervals.
        (b) Term length. The maximum time allowable for final maturity for 
    a guaranteed CP loan will be limited to the useful life of the 
    facility, not to exceed 40 years.
        (c) Balloon payments. The principal balance should be properly 
    amortized within the prescribed loan maturity. Balloon payments at the 
    end of the loan are prohibited.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.35--3575.36  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.37  Insurance and fidelity bonds.
    
        The lender must provide evidence that the borrower has adequate 
    insurance and fidelity bond coverage by loan closing or start of 
    construction, whichever occurs first. Adequate coverage must be 
    maintained for the life of the loan and is subject to Agency review and 
    approval.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.38--3575.39  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.40  Equal opportunity and Fair Housing Act requirements.
    
        (a) Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The lender will comply with the 
    requirements of title V of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 
    1691 et seq.). (See the Federal Reserve Board Regulation, 12 CFR part 
    202.)
        (b) Fair Housing Act. Certain housing-related projects such as 
    nursing homes, group homes, or assisted-living facilities must comply 
    with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). 
    This includes completion of an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan 
    and compliance with the Housing and Urban Development accessibility 
    guidelines except for areas open to the public which are covered by the 
    Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12181 et seq.). The lender 
    will determine that the borrower has a valid plan in effect at all 
    times.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.41  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.42  Design and construction requirements.
    
        The lender will provide the Agency with a written certification at 
    the end of construction that all funds were utilized for authorized 
    purposes. The borrower and the lender will authorize designs and plans 
    based upon the preliminary architectural and engineering reports or 
    plans approved by the lender and concurred in by the Agency. The 
    borrower will take into consideration any lender or Agency comments 
    when the facility is being designed.
        (a) Architectural and engineering practices. All project facilities 
    must be designed utilizing accepted architectural and engineering 
    practices and must conform to applicable Federal, State, and local 
    codes and requirements. The lender must ensure that the planned project 
    will be completed within the available funds and, once
    
    [[Page 28343]]
    
    completed, will be suitable for the borrower's needs.
        (b) Construction monitoring. The lender will monitor the progress 
    of construction and undertake the reviews and inspections necessary to 
    ensure that construction proceeds in accordance with the approved 
    plans, specifications, and contract documents and that funds are used 
    for eligible project costs. The lender must expeditiously report any 
    problems in project development to the Agency.
        (c) Equal employment opportunities. For all construction contracts 
    in excess of $10,000, the contractor must comply with Executive Order 
    11246 entitled ``Equal Employment Opportunity'' as amended and as 
    supplemented by applicable Department of Labor regulations (41 CFR part 
    60-1). The borrower and lender are responsible for ensuring that the 
    contractor complies with these requirements.
        (d) Americans with Disabilities Act. Community Facilities loans 
    which involve the construction of, or addition to, facilities that 
    accommodate the public and commercial facilities as defined by the 
    Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12181--et seq.) must comply 
    with that Act. The lender and borrower are responsible for compliance.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.43  Other Federal, State, and local requirements.
    
        In addition to the specific requirements of this subpart and 
    beginning on the date of issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee, proposals 
    for facilities financed in whole or in part with a loan guaranteed by 
    the Agency will be coordinated with all appropriate Federal, State, and 
    local agencies. Borrowers and lenders will be required to comply with 
    any Federal, State, or local laws or regulatory commission rules which 
    are in existence and which affect the project including, but not 
    limited to:
        (a) Organization and authority to design, construct, develop, 
    operate, and maintain the proposed facilities;
        (b) Borrowing money, giving security, and raising revenues for 
    repayment;
        (c) Land use zoning;
        (d) Health, safety, and sanitation standards; and
        (e) Protection of the environment and consumer affairs.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.44-3575.46  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.47  Economic feasibility requirements.
    
        All projects financed under the provisions of this section must be 
    based on taxes, assessments, revenues, fees, or other sources of 
    revenues in an amount sufficient to provide for facility operation and 
    maintenance, a reasonable reserve, and debt payment. Other sources of 
    revenue or guarantors are particularly important in considering the 
    feasibility of recreation-type loans. The lender is responsible for 
    determining the credit quality and economic feasibility of the proposed 
    loan and must address all elements of the credit quality in a written 
    financial feasibility analysis which includes adequacy of equity, cash 
    flow, security, history, and management capabilities. Financial 
    feasibility reports must take into consideration any interest rate 
    adjustment which may be instituted under the terms of the note. The 
    lender's financial credit analysis may also serve as the feasibility 
    analysis when sufficient evidence is included to determine economic 
    feasibility as well as financial viability.
        (a) Financial feasibility. The borrower, lender, or other qualified 
    entity must prepare the financial feasibility analysis (suggested 
    financial feasibility guidelines are available in any Agency office) in 
    the following instances:
        (1) Facilities primarily used for fire and rescue services;
        (2) Facilities that are not dependent on facility revenues for debt 
    payment;
        (3) Loans of less than $500,000; or
        (4) Projects in which the borrower has operated similar facilities 
    on a financially successful basis.
        (b) Utility projects. The borrower's consulting engineer may 
    complete the financial feasibility analysis for utility systems.
        (c) Other community facilities. Financial feasibility reports for 
    all other facilities must be prepared by a qualified entity not having 
    a direct interest in the management of the facility. The lender may 
    prepare the feasibility study if qualified staff is available.
        (d) Exceptions. The Agency loan approval official may exempt the 
    lender from the requirement for an independent financial feasibility 
    report (when requested by the borrower and the lender) provided the 
    approval official determines that the financial feasibility analysis 
    prepared by the borrower fairly represents the financial feasibility of 
    the facility and the financial feasibility analysis contains an 
    accurate projection of the usage, revenues, and expenses of the 
    facility.
        (e) Insufficient information. When the lender or Agency has 
    insufficient information to determine the borrower's repayment ability, 
    an independent feasibility analysis is required.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.48  Security.
    
        (a) Lender responsibility. The lender is responsible for obtaining 
    and maintaining proper and adequate security to protect the interest of 
    the lender, the holder, and the Government.
        (b) Type of security. Security must be of such a nature that 
    repayment of the loan is reasonably ensured when considered with the 
    integrity and ability of project management, soundness of the project, 
    and the borrower's prospective earnings. The security may include, but 
    is not limited to, the following: General obligation bonds, revenue 
    bonds, pledge of taxes or assessments, assignment of facility revenue, 
    land, easements, rights-of-way, water rights, buildings, machinery, 
    equipment, accounts receivable, contracts, cash, or other accounts or 
    assignments of leases or leasehold interest.
        (c) Separate security. All security must secure the entire loan. 
    The lender will not take separate security to secure only the 
    unguaranteed portion of the loan. The lender will not require 
    compensating balances or certificates of deposit as a means of 
    eliminating the lender's exposure on the unguaranteed portion of the 
    loan.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.49--3575.51  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.52  Processing.
    
        (a) Preapplications. (1) The preapplication package must be 
    submitted either alone or the necessary information may be submitted 
    simultaneously with the application. The preapplication package will 
    contain:
        (i) An Application for Federal Assistance on a form provided by the 
    Agency (available in any Agency office);
        (ii) State intergovernmental or other type review comments and 
    recommendations for the borrower's project (clearinghouse comments, if 
    applicable);
        (iii) Supporting documentation necessary to make an eligibility 
    determination such as financial statements, audits, copies of 
    organizational documents, existing debt instruments, etc.; and
        (iv) Documentation of lender eligibility in accordance with 
    Sec. 3575.27.
        (2) If the Agency determines that the project may meet requirements 
    and is likely to be funded, the lender must submit a complete 
    application if it has not previously submitted one. The Agency must do 
    an environmental review before further processing will be completed.
        (b) Applications. Contents of application package:
    
    [[Page 28344]]
    
        (1) Application for Loan and Guarantee on a form prescribed by the 
    Agency (available in any Agency office);
        (2) Proposed loan agreement;
        (3) Request for Environmental Information (available in any Agency 
    office);
        (4) Preliminary architectural or engineering report;
        (5) Cost estimates;
        (6) Appraisal reports (as appropriate);
        (7) Credit reports;
        (8) Financial feasibility analysis and report; and
        (9) Any additional information required.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.53  Evaluation of application.
    
        If the Agency determines that the borrower is eligible, the 
    proposed loan is for an eligible purpose, there is reasonable assurance 
    of repayment ability, sufficient collateral and equity exists, the 
    proposed loan complies with all applicable statutes and regulations, 
    the environmental review is complete and considered in determining 
    compliance, and adequate funds are available, the Agency will provide 
    the lender and the borrower with the Conditional Commitment for 
    Guarantee, listing all conditions for the guarantee. Applicable 
    requirements will include the following:
        (a) Approved use of guaranteed loan funds (source and use of 
    funds);
        (b) Rates and terms of the loan;
        (c) Scheduling of payments;
        (d) Number of customers;
        (e) Security and lien priority;
        (f) Appraisals;
        (g) Insurance and bonding;
        (h) Financial reporting;
        (i) Equal opportunity and nondiscrimination;
        (j) Environment or mitigation;
        (k) Americans with Disabilities Act;
        (l) By-laws and articles of incorporation changes; and
        (m) Other requirements necessary to protect the Government.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.54-3575.58  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.59  Review of requirements.
    
        (a) Lender and borrower. The lender and borrower must complete and 
    sign the Acceptance of Conditions and return a copy to the Agency as 
    soon as possible. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if certain 
    conditions cannot be met, the lender and borrower may propose alternate 
    conditions for Agency consideration.
        (b) Cancellation. If the lender decides at any time after receiving 
    a Conditional Commitment for Guarantee that it no longer wants a 
    guarantee, the lender must immediately advise the Agency of the 
    cancellation.
        (c) Modifications. The lender agrees that once the Conditional 
    Commitment for Guarantee is issued and accepted by the lender and 
    borrower, it will not be modified as to the scope of the project, 
    overall facility concept, project purpose, use of proceeds, or other 
    terms and conditions.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.60-3575.62  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.63  Conditions precedent to issuance of the Loan Note 
    Guarantee.
    
        The Loan Note Guarantee will not be issued until:
        (a) The lender certifies that:
        (1) No changes have been made in the lender's loan conditions and 
    requirements since the issuance of the Conditional Commitment for 
    Guarantee except those approved in the interim by the Agency in 
    writing.
        (2) All planned property acquisition has been completed and all 
    development has been substantially completed in accordance with plans, 
    specifications, and applicable building codes. No costs have exceeded 
    the amounts approved by the lender and the Agency.
        (3) Required insurance is in effect.
        (4) All equal opportunity and Fair Housing Plan requirements have 
    been met.
        (5) The loan has been properly closed and the required security 
    instruments have been obtained on any after-acquired property that 
    cannot be covered initially under State statutory provisions.
        (6) The borrower has marketable title to the collateral then owned 
    by the borrower, subject to the instrument securing the loan to be 
    guaranteed and subject to any other exceptions approved, in writing, by 
    the Agency.
        (7) When required, the entire amount of the loan for working 
    capital has been disbursed except in cases where the Agency has 
    approved disbursement over an extended time.
        (8) All other requirements of the Conditional Commitment for 
    Guarantee have been met.
        (9) Lien priorities are consistent with requirements of the 
    Conditional Commitment for Guarantee.
        (10) The loan proceeds have been disbursed for purposes and in 
    amounts consistent with the Conditional Commitment for Guarantee and as 
    specified on the application for the guaranteed loan. A copy of a 
    detailed statement by the lender detailing the use of loan funds will 
    be attached to support this certification.
        (11) There has been no substantive adverse change in the borrower's 
    financial condition nor any other adverse change in the borrower during 
    the period of time from the Agency's issuance of the Conditional 
    Commitment for Guarantee to issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee. The 
    lender's certification must address all adverse changes of the borrower 
    and the guarantors. For purposes of this paragraph, the term borrower 
    includes any parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the borrower.
        (12) All Federal, State, and local design and construction 
    requirements have been met.
        (13) The lender understands and will meet the requirements of the 
    Debt Collection Act (chapter 37 of title 31 of the United States Code).
        (14) The lender would not make the loan without an Agency 
    guarantee.
        (b) The lender has executed and delivered the Lender's Agreement 
    and closing report for the guaranteed loan along with the appropriate 
    guarantee fee.
        (c) The lender has advised the Agency of plans to sell or assign 
    any part of the loan as provided in the Lender's Agreement.
        (d) Where applicable, the lender must certify that the borrower has 
    obtained:
        (1) A legal opinion relative to the title to rights-of-way and 
    easements. Lenders are responsible for ensuring that borrowers have 
    obtained valid, continuous, and adequate rights-of-way and easements 
    needed for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a facility.
        (2) A title opinion or title insurance showing ownership of the 
    land and all mortgages or other lien defects, restrictions, or 
    encumbrances, if any. It is the responsibility of the lender to ensure 
    that the borrower has obtained and recorded such releases, consents, or 
    subordinations to such property rights from holders of outstanding 
    liens or other instruments as may be necessary for the construction, 
    operation, and maintenance of the facility and to provide the required 
    security. For example, when a site is for major structures for utility-
    type facilities (such as a gas distribution system) and the lender and 
    borrower are able to obtain only a right-of-way or easement on such a 
    site rather than a fee simple title, such a title opinion must be 
    requested.
        (e) For loans exceeding $150,000, the lender has certified its 
    compliance with the Anti-Lobby Act (18 U.S.C. 1913). Also, if any funds 
    have been, or will be, paid to any person for influencing or attempting 
    to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
    Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a 
    Member of Congress in connection with this
    
    [[Page 28345]]
    
    commitment providing for the United States to guarantee a loan, the 
    lender shall completely disclose such lobbying activities in accordance 
    with 31 U.S.C. 1352.
        (f) If the Loan Note Guarantee cannot be issued before the 
    Conditional Commitment expires, the lender must submit a written 
    request for an extension of the expiration date. The lender must 
    document and certify to paragraph (a)(1) and (a)(11) of this section 
    specifically identifying any modifications.
        (g) Coincident with, or immediately after, loan closing, the lender 
    will contact the Agency and provide those documents and certifications 
    required in this section. For loans to public bodies, lenders may 
    require an opinion from recognized bond counsel regarding the adequacy 
    of the preparation and issuance of the debt instruments. Only when the 
    Agency is satisfied that all conditions for the guarantee have been met 
    will the Loan Note Guarantee be executed.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.64  Issuance of Lender's Agreement, Loan Note Guarantee, and 
    Assignment Guarantee Agreement.
    
        (a) Lender's Agreement. If the Agency finds that all requirements 
    have been met, the lender and the Agency will execute the Lender's 
    Agreement. The original will be retained by the Agency and a signed 
    duplicate original will be retained by the lender. A separate Lender's 
    Agreement must be executed for each loan to be guaranteed by the 
    Agency.
        (b) Loan Note Guarantee. (1) Upon receipt of the executed Lender's 
    Agreement and after all requirements have been met, the Agency will 
    execute the Loan Note Guarantee. All originals of the Loan Note 
    Guarantee will be provided to the lender and attached to the note.
        (2) If the lender has selected the multi-note system, a Loan Note 
    Guarantee will be prepared and attached to each note the borrower 
    issues. All the notes will be listed on the Loan Note Guarantee. Not 
    more than ten notes will be issued for the guaranteed portion (unless 
    the Agency and borrower agree otherwise) and one note issued for the 
    unguaranteed portion.
        (c) Assignment of Guarantee. In the event the lender assigns the 
    guaranteed portion of the loan to a holder, the lender, holder, and 
    Agency will execute an Agency prescribed Assignment Guarantee 
    Agreement.
        (d) Failure to meet conditions. If the Agency determines that it 
    cannot execute the Loan Note Guarantee because all requirements have 
    not been met, the lender will have a reasonable period within which to 
    satisfy the objections. If the lender satisfies the objections within 
    the time allowed, the guarantee will be issued.
        (e) Loan closing report. The lender will prepare and deliver a 
    guaranteed loan closing report for each loan to be guaranteed and a 
    guarantee fee to the Agency in return for the Loan Note Guarantee.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.65  Lender's sale or assignment of the guaranteed portion of 
    loan.
    
        The lender may retain all of the guaranteed loan. The lender must 
    not sell or participate any amount of the guaranteed or non-guaranteed 
    portion of the loan to the borrower or to members of the borrower's 
    immediate families, the borrower's officers, directors, stockholders, 
    other owners, or a subsidiary or affiliate. Disposition of the 
    guaranteed portion of a loan may not be made prior to full 
    disbursement, completion of construction, and acquisition of real 
    estate and equipment without the prior written approval of the Agency. 
    If the lender desires to market all or part of the guaranteed portion 
    of the loan at, or subsequent to, loan closing, the loan must not be in 
    default.
        (a) Assignment. Any sale or assignment by the lender of the 
    guaranteed portion of the loan must be accomplished in accordance with 
    the conditions in the Lender's Agreement.
        (b) Participation. The lender may obtain participation in the loan 
    under its normal operating procedures.
        (c) Minimum retention. The lender is required to hold in its own 
    portfolio or retain a minimum of 5 percent of the total loan amount. 
    This amount must be of the non-guaranteed portion of the loan and 
    cannot be participated to another. The lender may sell the remaining 
    amount of the non-guaranteed portion of the loan only through 
    participation.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.66--3575.68  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.69  Loan servicing.
    
        (a) Lender responsibilities. The lender is responsible for 
    servicing the entire loan in accordance with the lender's loan 
    agreement. The unguaranteed portion of the loan will not be paid first 
    nor given any preference or priority over the guaranteed portion of the 
    loan. The lender is responsible for taking all servicing actions that a 
    prudent lender would perform in servicing a portfolio of loans that are 
    not guaranteed. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, 
    the collection of payments; obtaining compliance with the covenants and 
    provisions in the note, loan agreement, security instrument, or any 
    supplemental agreements; obtaining and analyzing financial statements; 
    verifying the payment of taxes and insurance premiums; and maintaining 
    liens on collateral. The lender must notify the Agency of any violation 
    of the loan agreement with the borrower within 30 days of such 
    violation.
        (b) Financial reports. The lender must obtain the financial 
    statements required by the Loan Agreement. The lender must submit the 
    borrower's annual financial statements to the Agency within 120 days of 
    the end of the borrower's fiscal year. The lender must analyze the 
    financial statements and provide the Agency with a written summary of 
    the lender's analysis and conclusions, including trends, strengths, 
    weaknesses, extraordinary transactions, and other indications of the 
    financial condition of the borrower. Additionally, when applicable, the 
    lender will require an audit in accordance with Office of Management 
    and Budget (OMB) circulars (available in any Agency office).
        (c) Delinquent loans. The lender will service delinquent loans in 
    accordance with the Lender's Agreement and reasonable and prudent 
    lending standards.
        (d) Loan balances. The lender must report to the Agency the 
    outstanding principal and interest balance on each guaranteed loan 
    semiannually.
        (e) Collateral inspections. The lender will inspect the collateral 
    as often as necessary to properly service the loan.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.70--3575.72  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.73  Replacement of loss, theft, destruction, mutilation, or 
    defacement of Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee Agreement.
    
        (a) Replacement of Loan Note Guarantee. The Agency may issue a 
    replacement Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee Agreement which 
    may have been lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated, or defaced to the 
    lender or holder upon receipt of a certificate of loss and an indemnity 
    bond in accordance with this section.
        (b) Lender responsibilities. When a Loan Note Guarantee or 
    Assignment Guarantee Agreement is lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated, 
    or defaced while in the custody of the lender or holder, the lender 
    will coordinate the activities of the party who seeks the replacement 
    documents and will submit the required documents to the Agency for 
    processing. The requirements for replacement are as follows:
        (1) A certificate of loss properly notarized which includes:
    
    [[Page 28346]]
    
        (i) Legal name and present address of either the lender or the 
    holder who is requesting the replacement forms;
        (ii) Legal name and address of the lender of record;
        (iii) Capacity of person certifying;
        (iv) Full identification of the Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment 
    Guarantee Agreement, including the name of the borrower, Agency case 
    number, date of the Loan Note Guarantee, Assignment Guarantee 
    Agreement, face amount of the evidence of debt purchased, date of 
    evidence of debt, present balance of the loan, percentages of guarantee 
    and, if Assignment Guarantee Agreement, the original named holder and 
    the percentage of the guaranteed portion of the loan assigned to that 
    holder. Any existing parts of the document to be replaced must be 
    attached to the certificate;
        (v) A full statement of circumstances of the loss, theft, or 
    destruction of the Loan Note Guarantee or Assignment Guarantee 
    Agreement; and
        (vi) The holder shall present evidence demonstrating current 
    ownership of the Loan Note Guarantee and Note or Assignment Guarantee 
    Agreement. If the present holder is not the same as the original 
    holder, a copy of the endorsement of each successive holder in the 
    chain of transfer from the initial holder to present holder must be 
    included. If copies of the endorsement cannot be obtained, best 
    available records of transfer must be presented to the Agency (e.g., 
    order confirmation, canceled checks, etc.).
        (2) An indemnity bond acceptable to the Agency shall accompany the 
    request for replacement except when the holder is the United States, a 
    Federal Reserve Bank, a Federal Government corporation, a State or 
    Territory, or the District of Columbia.
        (3) All indemnity bonds must be issued and payable to the United 
    States of America. The bond shall be in an amount not less than the 
    unpaid principal and interest. The bond shall hold the Government 
    harmless against any claim or demand which might arise or against any 
    damage, loss, costs, or expenses which might be sustained or incurred 
    by reasons of the loss or replacement of the instruments.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.74  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.75  Defaults by borrower.
    
        (a) Lender notification to Agency. The lender must notify the 
    Agency when a borrower is 30 days past due on a payment, has not met 
    its responsibilities of providing the required financial statements, or 
    is otherwise in default. The lender will continue to keep the Agency 
    informed on a bimonthly basis until such time as the loan is no longer 
    in default. If a monetary default exceeds 60 days, the lender will 
    arrange a meeting with the borrower to resolve the default. The lender 
    will provide a summary of the meeting and any decisions or actions 
    agreed upon.
        (b) Servicing options. In considering servicing options, the 
    prospects for providing a permanent cure without adversely affecting 
    the risks to the Agency and the lender must be the paramount objective. 
    Temporary curative actions (such as payment deferments or collateral 
    subordination) must strengthen the loan and be in the best financial 
    interest of the lender and the Agency. Some of these actions may 
    require concurrence of the holder.
        (c) Multi-note. If the loan was closed with the multi-note option, 
    the lender may need to possess all notes to take some servicing 
    actions. In those situations when the Agency is holder of some of the 
    notes, the Agency may endorse the notes back to the lender, provided a 
    proper receipt is received from the lender which defines the reason for 
    the transfer. Under no circumstances will the Agency endorse the 
    original Loan Note Guarantee to the lender.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.76--3575.77  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.78  Repurchase of loan.
    
        (a) Repurchase by lender. The lender has the option to repurchase 
    the loan from a holder within 30 days of written demand from the holder 
    when the borrower is in default not less than 60 days on payment. The 
    repurchase will be for an amount equal to the unpaid guaranteed portion 
    of principal and accrued interest less the lender's servicing fee. The 
    guarantee does not cover the note interest to the holder on the 
    guaranteed loan accruing after 90 days from the date of the demand 
    letter to the lender. The holder will concurrently send a copy of the 
    demand to the Agency. The lender will accept an assignment without 
    recourse from the holder upon repurchase. The lender is encouraged to 
    repurchase the loan to facilitate the accounting of funds, resolve the 
    problem, and permit the borrower to cure the default, where reasonable. 
    The lender will notify the holder and the Agency of its decision within 
    30 days of receipt of demand from the holder.
        (b) Agency repurchase. (1) If the lender does not repurchase as 
    provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the Agency will purchase 
    from the holder the unpaid principal balance of the guaranteed portion 
    together with accrued interest to date of repurchase (less the lender's 
    servicing fee) within 30 days after written demand to the Agency. The 
    guarantee will not cover the note interest to the holder on the 
    guaranteed loan accruing after 90 days from the date of the original 
    demand letter. The lender shall not charge the Agency any servicing 
    fees nor are any such fees collectible from the Agency.
        (2) The holder's demand to the Agency must include a copy of the 
    written demand made upon the lender. The holder or duly authorized 
    agent must also include evidence of the right to require payment from 
    the Agency. Such evidence will consist of either the original of the 
    Loan Note Guarantee properly endorsed to the Agency or the original of 
    the Assignment Guarantee Agreement properly assigned to the Agency 
    without recourse including all rights, title, and interest in the loan. 
    The Agency will be subrogated to all rights of the holder. The holder 
    must include in the demand the amount due including unpaid principal, 
    unpaid interest to date of demand, and interest subsequently accruing 
    from the date of demand to the proposed payment date. Unless otherwise 
    agreed to by the Agency, such proposed payment will not be later than 
    30 days from the date of demand.
        (3) The lender must promptly provide the Agency with the 
    information necessary for the Agency's determination of the appropriate 
    amount due the holder upon the Agency's notification to the lender of 
    the holder's demand for payment. This information must be certified by 
    an authorized officer of the lender. Any discrepancy between the amount 
    claimed by the holder and the information submitted by the lender must 
    be resolved before payment will be approved. The Agency will notify 
    both parties and such conflict will suspend the running of the 30-day 
    payment requirement.
        (4) Any purchase by the Agency does not change, alter, or modify 
    any of the lender's obligations to the Agency arising from the loan or 
    guarantee nor does it waive any of the Agency's rights against the 
    lender. The Agency may set off against the lender all rights inuring to 
    the Agency as the holder of the instrument against the Agency's 
    obligation to the lender under the Loan Note Guarantee.
        (c) Repurchase for servicing. When the lender determines that 
    repurchase of the guaranteed portion of the loan is necessary to 
    service the loan, the holder must sell the guaranteed portion to the 
    lender for the unpaid principal and
    
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    interest balance (less the lender's servicing fee). The guarantee does 
    not cover interest accruing after 90 days from the date the lender's or 
    Agency's letter requesting the holder to tender its guaranteed portion. 
    The lender must not repurchase from the holder for arbitrage purposes 
    to further its own financial gain. Any repurchase must be made only 
    after the lender obtains the Agency written approval. If the lender 
    does not repurchase the portion from the holder, the Agency may, at its 
    option, purchase such guaranteed portion for servicing purposes.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.79  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.80  Interest rate changes after loan closing.
    
        (a) General. Subject to the restrictions below, the borrower, 
    lender, and holder (if any) may collectively effect a permanent 
    reduction in the interest rate on the guaranteed loan at any time 
    during the life of the loan on written agreement by all of the 
    applicable parties. After such a permanent reduction, the Loan Note 
    Guarantee will only cover losses of interest at the reduced interest 
    rate. The Agency must be notified by the lender, in writing, within 10 
    calendar days of the change. When the Agency is a holder, it will 
    concur only when it is demonstrated that the change is more viable than 
    liquidation and that the Government's financial interests are not 
    adversely affected. Factors which will be considered in making such 
    determination are the Government's cost of borrowing money and the 
    project's enhancement of rural development. The monetary recovery must 
    be greater than the liquidation recovery, and a financial feasibility 
    analysis must show the project's continued viability.
        (1) Fixed rates cannot be changed to variable rates to reduce the 
    interest rate to the borrower unless the variable rate has a ceiling 
    which is less than the original fixed rate.
        (2) Variable rates can be changed to a lower fixed rate. In a final 
    loss settlement when qualifying rate changes are made with the required 
    written agreements and notification, the interest will be calculated 
    for the periods the given rates were in effect. The lender must 
    maintain records which adequately document the accrued interest 
    claimed.
        (3) The lender is responsible for the legal documentation of 
    interest rate changes. However, the lender may not issue a new note.
        (b) Increases. No increases in interest rates will be permitted 
    under the loan guarantee except the normal fluctuations in approved 
    variable interest rate loans.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.81  Liquidation.
    
        Liquidation will occur when the lender concludes that liquidation 
    of the guaranteed loan is necessary because of default or third party 
    actions that the borrower cannot, or will not, cure or eliminate within 
    a reasonable period of time and the Agency concurs with the lender; or 
    the Agency, at any time, independently concludes that liquidation is 
    necessary. The lender will proceed as expeditiously as possible, 
    including giving any notices or taking any legal actions required by 
    the security instruments.
        (a) General. If a lender has made a loan guaranteed by the Agency 
    under previous regulations, the lender has the option to liquidate the 
    loan under the provisions of this subpart or under the provisions of 
    previous regulations. The lender will notify the Agency in writing 
    within 10 days after its decision to liquidate, which regulatory 
    provisions it chooses to use. The lender may not choose some provisions 
    of one regulation and other provisions of the other regulation.
        (b) Acquiring property titles. If a lender acquires title to 
    property, the Agency may elect to permit the lender the option of 
    calculating the final loss settlement using the net proceeds received 
    at the time of the ultimate disposition of the property. The lender 
    must submit to the Agency a written request to use this option within 
    15 days of acquiring title and the Agency must agree, in writing, prior 
    to the lender submitting any request for estimated loss payment.
        (c) Liquidation plan. The lender will (within 30 days after a 
    decision to liquidate) submit to the Agency, in writing, a proposed, 
    detailed liquidation plan. Upon approval by the Agency of the 
    liquidation plan, the lender will commence liquidation. The lender's 
    liquidation plan must include, but is not limited to, the following:
        (1) Such proof as the Agency requires to establish the lender's 
    ownership of the guaranteed loan notes and related security 
    instruments, a copy of the payment ledger or other documentation which 
    reflects the outstanding loan balance and accrued interest to date, and 
    the method of computing the interest;
        (2) A complete list of collateral;
        (3) The recommended liquidation methods for making the maximum 
    collection possible on the indebtedness and the justification for such 
    methods, including the recommended action for acquiring and disposing 
    of all collateral;
        (4) Necessary steps for preservation of the collateral;
        (5) Copies of the borrower's latest available financial statements;
        (6) An itemized list of estimated liquidation expenses expected to 
    be incurred and justification for each expense;
        (7) A schedule to periodically report to the Agency on the progress 
    of the liquidation;
        (8) Estimated protective advance amounts with justification;
        (9) Proposed protective bid amounts on collateral to be sold at 
    auction and a discussion of how the amounts were determined;
        (10) If a voluntary conveyance is considered, the proposed amount 
    to be credited to the guaranteed debt;
        (11) Legal opinions, as needed; and
        (12) If the outstanding balance of principal and interest is less 
    than $250,000, the lender will obtain an estimate of fair market and 
    potential liquidation value of the collateral. If the outstanding 
    balance of principal and interest is $250,000 or more, the lender will 
    obtain an independent appraisal report on all collateral securing the 
    loan which will reflect the fair market value and potential liquidation 
    value. The independent appraiser's fee will be shared equally by the 
    Agency and the lender.
        (d) Partial liquidation plan. If actions are necessary to 
    immediately preserve and protect the collateral, a partial liquidation 
    plan may be submitted and, when approved, must be followed by a 
    complete liquidation plan prepared by the lender.
        (e) Disposition of collateral. Disposition of collateral acquired 
    by the lender must be approved, in writing, by the Agency when:
        (1) The lender's cost to acquire the collateral of a borrower 
    exceeds the potential recovery value of the security and the lender 
    proposes abandoning the collateral in lieu of liquidation; or
        (2) The acquired collateral is to be sold to the borrower, 
    borrower's stockholders or officers, or the lender or lender's 
    stockholders or officers.
        (f) Agency liquidation. The Agency will liquidate at its option 
    only when it is a holder and there is reason to believe the lender is 
    not likely to initiate liquidation efforts that will result in maximum 
    recovery. When the Agency liquidates, reasonable liquidation expenses 
    will be assessed against the proceeds derived from the sale of the 
    collateral.
        (g) Final loss payment. Final loss payments will be made only after 
    all collateral has been properly accounted for and liquidation expenses 
    are
    
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    determined to be reasonable and within approved limits. Any estimated 
    loss payments made to the lender will be credited against the final 
    loss on the guaranteed loan. The amount of an estimated loss payment 
    must be credited as a deduction from the principal balance of the loan.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.82  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.83  Protective advances.
    
        Protective advances can only be added to the loan account for 
    purposes of requirements to preserve the value of the security. 
    Protective advances constitute an indebtedness of the borrower to the 
    lender and must be secured by collateral to the same extent as 
    principal and interest. Protective advances include, but are not 
    limited to, advances made for taxes, annual assessments, ground rent, 
    hazard and flood insurance premiums affecting the collateral (including 
    any other expenses necessary to protect the collateral). Attorney fees 
    are not a protective advance.
        (a) Agency approval. The Agency must approve, in writing, all 
    protective advances on loans within its loan approval authority which 
    exceed a total cumulative advance amount of $5,000 to the same 
    borrower. Protective advances must be reasonable when associated with 
    the value of the collateral being preserved.
        (b) Preserving collateral. When considering protective advances, 
    sound judgment must be exercised in determining that the additional 
    funds advanced will actually preserve collateral and recovery is 
    actually enhanced by making the advance.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.84  Additional loans or advances.
    
        The lender will not make additional expenditures or new loans to 
    the borrower without first obtaining the written approval of the Agency 
    even though such expenditures or loans will not be guaranteed.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.85  Bankruptcy.
    
        (a) Calculating losses. Report of Loss form (available in any 
    Agency office) will be used for calculating estimated and final loss 
    determinations.
        (b) Lender responsibility. The lender is responsible for protecting 
    the guaranteed loan debt and all the collateral securing it in 
    bankruptcy proceedings. These responsibilities include, but are not 
    limited to, the following:
        (1) Filing a proof of claim, where necessary, and all necessary 
    papers and pleadings;
        (2) Attending and, where necessary, participating in meetings of 
    the creditors and all court proceedings;
        (3) Immediately seeking adequate protection of the collateral if it 
    is subject to being used by the trustee in bankruptcy or the debtor in 
    possession;
        (4) Where appropriate, seeking involuntary conversion of a pending 
    chapter 11 case to a liquidation proceeding or seeking dismissal of the 
    proceedings; and
        (5) Keeping the Agency adequately and regularly informed, in 
    writing, of all aspects of the proceedings.
        (c) Appraisals. In a chapter 9 or chapter 11 reorganization, the 
    lender must obtain an independent appraisal of the collateral if the 
    Agency believes an independent appraisal is necessary. The Agency and 
    the lender will share the appraisal fee equally.
        (d) Liquidation expenses. Only expenses authorized by the court of 
    chapter 11 reorganizations, or chapters 11 or 7 liquidation (unless the 
    liquidation is by the lender), may be deducted from the collateral 
    proceeds.
        (e) Repurchase from the holder. The Agency or the lender, with the 
    approval of the Agency, may initiate the repurchase of the unpaid 
    guaranteed portion of the loan from the holder. If the lender is the 
    holder, an estimated loss payment may be filed at the initiation of a 
    chapter 7 proceeding or after a chapter 11 proceeding becomes a 
    liquidation proceeding. Any loss payment on loans in bankruptcy must be 
    approved by the Agency.
        (f) Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If a borrower has filed for protection 
    under chapter 11 of the United States Code for a reorganization (but 
    not chapter 13) and all or a portion of the debt has been discharged, 
    the lender may request an estimated loss payment of the guaranteed 
    portion of the accrued interest and principal discharged by the court. 
    If the court approves revisions to the chapter 11 reorganization plan, 
    subsequent estimated loss payments may be requested in accordance with 
    the court approved changes. Once the reorganization plan has been 
    satisfactorily completed, the lender is responsible for submitting the 
    documentation necessary for the Agency to review and adjust the 
    estimated loss claim to reflect any actual discharge of principal and 
    interest and to reimburse the lender for any court ordered interest-
    rate reduction under the terms of the reorganization plan.
        (g) Agency approval of estimated liquidation expenses. The Agency 
    must approve, in advance and in writing, the lender's estimated 
    liquidation expenses of collateral in a liquidation if the liquidation 
    is performed by the lender. These expenses must be reasonable and 
    customary and not include in-house expenses of the lender.
        (h) Reconciliation. In the event that the estimated loss payment 
    exceeds the actual loss, the lender will reimburse the Agency the 
    amount in excess of the actual loss plus interest at the note rate from 
    the date of the estimated loss payment.
    
    
    Sec. Sec. 3575.86--3575.87  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.88  Transfers and assumptions.
    
        (a) General. For all transfers and assumptions, the lender must 
    concur in the plans for disposition of funds in the transferor's debt 
    service, reserve, and operation and maintenance account. The Agency 
    will approve, in writing, transfers and assumptions of loans to 
    transferees who will continue the original purpose of the guaranteed 
    loan subject to the following applicable provisions:
        (1) When the transaction is to a member of the borrower's 
    organization, it will be at an amount which will not result in a loss 
    to the lender.
        (2) Transfers to eligible borrowers will receive preference if 
    recovery to the lender from the sale price is not less than it would be 
    if the transfer was to an ineligible borrower.
        (3) The present borrower is unable or unwilling to accomplish the 
    objectives of the guaranteed loan, and the transfer will be to the 
    lender's and Agency's advantage.
        (4) The transferee will assume an amount at least equal to either 
    the present market value or the debt, whichever is less.
        (b) Transfers to an eligible borrower. (1) The total indebtedness 
    may be transferred to an eligible borrower on the same terms.
        (2) The total indebtedness may be transferred to another eligible 
    borrower on different terms not to exceed those terms for which an 
    initial guaranteed loan can be made.
        (3) Less than the total indebtedness may be transferred to another 
    eligible borrower on the same or different terms and the pro rata share 
    of any eligible loss paid to the lender.
        (4) A guaranteed loan for which the transferee is eligible may be 
    made in connection with a transfer subject to the policies and 
    procedures governing the type of loan being made.
        (5) If the transferor is to receive a payment for the equity, the 
    total debt must be assumed.
        (c) Ineligible borrower. Transfers to ineligible borrowers are 
    considered only when needed as a method for servicing
    
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    problem cases when an eligible transferee is not available. Transfers 
    should not be considered as a means by which members can obtain equity 
    or as a method of providing a source of easy credit for purchasers. 
    Transfers must meet the following requirements:
        (1) All transfers to ineligible borrowers will include a one-time 
    nonrefundable transfer fee to the Agency of no more than one percent. 
    Transfer fees will be collected, and payments applied, in accordance 
    with paragraph (d) of this section.
        (2) For all loans covered by this subpart, the Agency may approve a 
    transfer of indebtedness to, and assumption of, a loan by a transferee 
    who does not meet the eligibility requirements for the kind of loan 
    being assumed when the ineligible borrower will:
        (i) Make a significant down payment, and
        (ii) Agree to pay the remaining balance within not more than 15 
    years. Installments will be at least equal to the amount amortized over 
    a period not greater than the remaining life of the debt being 
    transferred, and the balance will be due the fifteenth year.
        (3) Interest rates to ineligible transferees will be the rate 
    specified in the note of the transferor or the rates customarily 
    charged borrowers in similar circumstances in the ordinary course of 
    business and are subject to Agency review and approval. The rates may 
    be either fixed or variable.
        (i) Transferees must have the ability to repay as determined by the 
    lender the debt according to the Assumption Agreement and must have the 
    legal authority to enter into the contract. The transferee will submit 
    a current balance sheet to the lender. The lender will obtain and 
    analyze the credit history of the transferee.
        (ii) The transferor may receive equity payments only when the full 
    amount of the debt is assumed. However, equity payments will not be 
    made on more favorable terms than those on which the balance of the 
    debt will be paid.
        (d) Transfer fees. Transfer fees are a one-time nonrefundable cost 
    to be collected by the lender at the time of application or proposal.
        (1) The transfer fees will be a standard fee plus the cost of the 
    appraisal.
        (2) The lender will collect and submit the fee to the Agency.
        (3) The Agency may waive the transfer fee if it determines that 
    such waiver is in the best interest of the Agency.
        (e) Processing transfers and assumptions. (1) In any transfer and 
    assumption case, the transferor (including any guarantor) may be 
    released from liability by the lender only with prior Agency written 
    concurrence and only when the value of the collateral being transferred 
    is at least equal to the amount of the loan, or part of the loan, being 
    assumed. If the transfer is for less than the entire debt:
        (i) The Agency must determine that the transferor and any guarantor 
    have no reasonable debt-paying ability considering their assets and 
    income at the time of transfer, and
        (ii) The lender must certify that the transferor has cooperated in 
    good faith, used due diligence to maintain the collateral against loss, 
    and has otherwise fulfilled all of the regulations of this subpart to 
    the best of the borrower's ability.
        (2) The lender will make, in all cases, a complete credit analysis 
    to determine viability of the project (subject to the Agency review and 
    approval) including any requirement for deposit in an escrow account as 
    security to meet the determined equity requirements for the project.
        (3) The lender will confirm that the transaction can be properly 
    transferred and the conveyance instruments will be filed, registered, 
    or recorded as appropriate and legally permissible.
        (4) The assumption will be made on the lender's form of Assumption 
    Agreement and will contain the Agency case number of the transferor and 
    transferee.
        (5) Loan terms cannot be changed by the Assumption Agreement unless 
    previously approved in writing by the Agency with the concurrence of 
    holder and the transferor (including guarantor if it has not been 
    released from personal liability). Any new loan terms cannot exceed 
    those authorized in this subpart. The lender's request will be 
    supported by:
        (i) An explanation of the reasons for the proposed change in the 
    loan terms, and
        (ii) Certification that the lien position securing the guaranteed 
    loan will be maintained or improved, and proper hazard insurance will 
    be continued in effect.
        (6) In the case of a transfer and assumption, it is the lender's 
    responsibility to see that all such transfers and assumptions will be 
    noted on all originals of the Loan Note Guarantee. The lender will 
    provide the Agency a copy of the Transfer and Assumption Agreement.
        (7) If a loss should occur upon a complete transfer of assets and 
    assumption for less than the full amount of the debt and the 
    transferor-debtor (including personal guarantor) is released from 
    personal liability (as provided in paragraph (e) of this section), the 
    lender (if holding the guaranteed portion) may file an estimated Report 
    of Loss to recover their pro rata share of the actual loss at that 
    time. Approved protective advances and accrued interest made during the 
    arrangement of a transfer and assumption, if not assumed by the 
    transferee, will be entered on the estimated Report of Loss.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.89  Mergers.
    
        (a) General. The Agency may approve mergers or consolidations 
    (herein referred to as ``mergers'') when the resulting organization 
    will be eligible for an Agency guaranteed loan and assumes all the 
    liabilities and acquires all the assets of the merged borrower. Mergers 
    may be approved when:
        (1) The merger is in the best interest of the Government and the 
    merging borrower;
        (2) The resulting borrower can meet all required conditions as 
    contained in specific loan note agreements; and
        (3) All property can be legally transferred to the resulting 
    borrower.
        (b) Distinguishing mergers from transfers and assumptions. Mergers 
    occur when one entity combines with another entity in such a way that 
    the first entity ceases to exist as a separate entity while the other 
    continues. In a consolidation, two or more entities combine to form a 
    new, consolidated entity with the original entity ceasing to exist. 
    Such transactions must be distinguished from transfers and assumptions 
    in which a transferor will not necessarily go out of existence, and the 
    transferee will not always take all the transferor's assets nor assume 
    all the transferor's liabilities.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.90  Disposition of acquired property.
    
        (a) General. When the lender acquires title to the collateral and 
    the final loss claim is not paid until final disposition, the lender 
    must proceed as quickly as possible to develop a plan to fully protect 
    the collateral, and the lender must dispose of the collateral without 
    delay.
        (b) Re-title collateral. Any collateral accepted by the lender must 
    not be titled in the Agency's name in whole or in part. The Agency's 
    position is that of a guarantor relating to losses, not a lender.
        (c) Collateral preservation. After acquiring the collateral, the 
    lender must protect the collateral from deterioration (weather, 
    vandalism, etc.). Hazard insurance in an amount necessary to
    
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    cover the fair market value of the collateral must be maintained.
        (d) Collateral sale. (1) The lender will prepare and submit to the 
    Agency a plan on the best method of sale, keeping in mind any 
    prospective purchasers. The Agency must approve the plan in writing. If 
    an existing approved liquidation plan addresses the disposition of 
    acquired property, no further review is required unless modification of 
    the plan is needed.
        (2) Anytime there is a case when the conversion of collateral to 
    cash can reasonably be expected to result in a negative net recovery 
    amount, abandonment of the collateral should be considered. The Agency 
    must approve abandonment in writing.
    
    
    Secs. 3575.91-3575.93  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.94  Determination and payment of loss.
    
        In all liquidation cases, final settlement will be made with the 
    lender after the collateral is liquidated. The Agency will have the 
    right to recover losses paid under the guarantee from any liable party.
        (a) General. If the lender takes title to collateral, any loss will 
    be based on the collateral value at the time the lender obtains title.
        (b) Loss calculations. The Report of Loss form (available in any 
    Agency office) will be used for calculations of all estimated and final 
    loss determinations. Estimated loss payments may only be approved after 
    the lender has submitted a liquidation plan approved by the Agency.
        (c) Estimated loss payments. When the lender is conducting the 
    liquidation and owns any of the guaranteed portion of the loan, it may 
    request an estimated loss payment by submitting an estimate of loss 
    that will occur in connection with liquidation of the loan. An 
    estimated loss payment may be approved after the Agency has approved 
    the liquidation plan.
        (1) The lender will prepare and submit a Report of Loss using the 
    appraised value in lieu of amount received from sale of collateral.
        (2) The estimated loss payment shall be calculated as of the date 
    of such payment. The total amount of the loss payment remitted by the 
    Agency will be applied by the lender on the guaranteed portion of the 
    loan debt. Such application does not release the borrower from 
    liability. At the time of final loss settlement, the lender may notify 
    the borrower that the loss payment has been so applied.
        (3) After liquidation has been completed, a final Report of Loss 
    will be submitted by the lender to the Agency.
        (d) Final report of loss. In all cases, a final Report of Loss must 
    be submitted to the Agency. Before Agency approval of any final loss 
    report, the lender must account for all funds obtained, disposition of 
    the collateral, all costs incurred, and any other information necessary 
    for the successful completion of liquidation. Upon receipt of the final 
    accounting and Report of Loss, the Agency may conduct an may audit and 
    will determine the final loss. The lender will make its records 
    available to, and otherwise assist, the Agency in making any audit it 
    requires of the Report of Loss. The documentation accompanying the 
    Report of Loss must support the loss claimed.
        (1) The lender must document and show that all of the collateral 
    has been accounted for and properly liquidated and that liquidation 
    proceeds have been properly accounted for and applied correctly on the 
    loan. The Agency must be satisfied that the lender has accomplished 
    this in the manner contained herein and that the lender has maximized 
    the collections in conducting the liquidation.
        (2) The lender must show a breakdown on any protective advance 
    amount as to the payee, purpose of the expenditure, date paid, evidence 
    that the amount expended was proper, and that the amount was actually 
    paid.
        (3) The lender must show a breakdown of liquidation expenses as to 
    the payee, purpose of the expenditure, date paid, evidence that the 
    amount expended was proper, and that the amount was actually paid.
        (4) Accrued interest should be supported by attachments showing how 
    the amount was accrued by the lender. A copy of the promissory note and 
    ledger will be attached. If the interest rate was a variable rate, the 
    lender must include documentation of changes in the selected base rate 
    and when the changes in the loan rate became effective.
        (e) Liquidation income. Any net rental or other income that has 
    been received by the lender from the collateral will be applied on the 
    guaranteed loan debt.
        (f) Liquidation costs. Certain reasonable liquidation costs will be 
    allowed during the liquidation process. The liquidation costs must be 
    submitted as a part of the liquidation plan. Such costs will be 
    deducted from gross proceeds received from the disposition of 
    collateral unless the costs have been previously determined by the 
    lender (with Agency concurrence) to be protective advances. If changed 
    circumstances after submission of the liquidation plan require a 
    revision of liquidation costs, the lender will obtain the Agency's 
    written concurrence prior to proceeding with the proposed changes. No 
    in-house expenses of the lender will be allowed.
        (g) Protective advance losses. In those instances where the lender 
    made authorized protective advances, the lender may claim recovery for 
    the guaranteed portion of any loss of monies advanced as well as 
    interest resulting from such protective advances. These claims shall be 
    included in the final Report of Loss.
        (h) Final loss approval. After the final Report of Loss has been 
    tentatively approved:
        (1) If the actual loss is greater than any estimated loss payment, 
    such loss will be paid by the Agency;
        (2) If the actual loss is less than any estimated loss payment, the 
    lender will reimburse the Agency;
        (3) If the Agency conducted the liquidation, it will provide an 
    accounting to the lender and will pay the lender in accordance with the 
    Loan Note Guarantee.
        (i) Loss limits. The amount payable by the Agency to the lender 
    cannot exceed the limits contained in the Loan Note Guarantee. If the 
    Agency conducts the liquidation, loss occasioned by accruing interest 
    will be covered by the guarantee only to the date the Agency accepts 
    this responsibility. When the liquidation is conducted by the lender, 
    loss occasioned by accruing interest will be covered to the extent of 
    the guarantee to the date of final settlement provided the lender 
    proceeds expeditiously with the liquidation plan approved by the 
    Agency.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.95  Future recovery.
    
        After a loan has been liquidated and a final loss has been paid by 
    the Agency, any future funds which may be recovered by the lender will 
    be pro-rated between the Agency and the lender in accordance with the 
    guaranteed percentage even if the Loan Note Guarantee has been 
    terminated.
    
    
    Sec. 3575.96  Termination of Loan Note Guarantee.
    
        The Loan Note Guarantee under this subpart will terminate 
    automatically:
        (a) Upon full payment of the guaranteed loan; or
        (b) Upon full payment of any loss obligation or negotiated loss 
    settlement except for future recovery provisions; or
        (c) Upon written request from the lender to the Agency, provided 
    that the lender holds all of the guaranteed portion and the original 
    Loan Note Guarantee is returned to the Agency.
    
    [[Page 28351]]
    
    Secs. 3575.97--3575.99  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 3575.100  OMB control number.
    
        The report and recordkeeping requirements contained in this 
    regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
    and have been assigned OMB control number 0575-0137.
    
    Subpart B--[Reserved]
    
        Dated: May 17, 1999.
    Jill Long Thompson,
    Under Secretary, Rural Development.
    [FR Doc. 99-13117 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-XV-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/25/1999
Published:
05/26/1999
Department:
Farm Service Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-13117
Dates:
June 25, 1999.
Pages:
28333-28351 (19 pages)
RINs:
0575-AC17: Community Programs Guaranteed Loans
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0575-AC17/community-programs-guaranteed-loans
PDF File:
99-13117.pdf
CFR: (76)
7 CFR Sec
7 CFR 1980.801
7 CFR 1980.802
7 CFR 1980.805
7 CFR 1980.813
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