05-23751. Community Development Financial Institutions Program

AGENCY:

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION:

Revised interim rule with request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury is issuing a revised interim rule implementing the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) administered by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (Fund). The mission of the CDFI Fund is to increase the capacity of financial institutions to provide capital, credit and financial services in underserved markets. Its long-term vision is an America in which all people have access to affordable credit, capital and financial services. The purpose of the CDFI Program is to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Under the CDFI Program, the Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, equity investments and deposits to CDFIs selected through a merit-based application process. The Fund provides financial assistance to CDFIs to enhance their ability to make loans and investments, and to provide related services for the benefit of designated investment areas, targeted populations, or both. In addition, through the CDFI Program, the Fund provides technical assistance grants to CDFIs and entities that propose to become CDFIs, for the purpose of increasing their capacity to serve their target markets.

This revised interim rule includes one revision that the Fund believes will inure to the benefit of CDFIs, CDFI Program applicants, and CDFI Program awardees. This revised interim rule includes a revised § 1805.504, Retained Earnings, which clarifies the use of retained earnings as matching funds for a financial assistance award.

DATES:

Revised interim rule effective December 13, 2005; comments must be received in the offices of the Fund on or before February 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments concerning this interim rule by any of the following methods: (i) Via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (please follow the instructions for submitting comments); (ii) via e-mail to the Fund at [e-mail] (please use an ASCII file format and provide your full name and mailing address); (iii) via mail or hand delivery to the Office of Legal Counsel, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Department of the Treasury, 601 13th Street, NW., Suite 200 South, Washington, DC 20005; or (iv) via fax to 202/622-8244. All submissions received must include the agency name and Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to the Fund's Web site at http://www.cdfifund.gov,, including any personal information provided. Other information regarding the Fund and its programs may be obtained through the Fund's Web site at http://www.cdfifund.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey C. Berg, Legal Counsel, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, at [phone]. (This is not a toll free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Fund was established as a wholly owned government corporation by the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994, as amended (12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) (the Act). Subsequent legislation placed the Fund within the Department of the Treasury and gave the Secretary of the Treasury all powers and rights of the Administrator of the Fund as set forth in the Act.

The mission of the Fund is to increase the capacity of financial institutions to provide capital, credit and financial services in underserved markets. Its long-term vision is an America in which all people have access to affordable credit, capital and financial services. The Fund's programs are designed to facilitate the flow of lending and investment capital to distressed communities and to individuals who have been unable to take full advantage of the financial services industry. Access to credit, investment capital, and financial services are essential ingredients for creating and retaining jobs, developing affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, unleashing the economic potential of small businesses, and empowering people.

The Fund was established to promote economic revitalization and community development through, among other things, investment in and assistance to CDFIs, which specialize in serving underserved markets and the people who live there. CDFIs—while highly effective—are typically small in scale and often have difficulty raising the capital needed to meet the demands for their products and services. Through the CDFI Program, the Fund provides CDFIs with financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, equity investments, and deposits in order to enhance their ability to make loans and investments, and provide services for the benefit of designated investment areas, targeted populations or both. Additionally, many CDFIs are in formation or in the early stages of development in many markets underserved by traditional financial institutions, including rural and Native American communities. The CDFI Program assists such entities—as well as established CDFIs—by providing grants through which they may acquire technical assistance to build their capacity to serve their target markets. Applicants participate in the CDFI Program through a merit-based qualitative application and selection process in which the Fund makes funding decisions based on pre-established evaluation criteria. An entity generally receives financial assistance monies from the Fund only after being certified as a CDFI and entering into an assistance agreement with the Fund. These assistance agreements include performance goals, matching funds requirements and reporting requirements.

On May 11, 2004, the Fund published in the Federal Register a revised interim rule (69 FR 26260) implementing the CDFI Program (the current rule). The deadline for the submission of comments on the current rule was July 12, 2004.

II. Comments on the May 11, 2004 Interim Rule

By the close of the July 12, 2004 comment period, the Fund received no comments on the current rule.

III. Summary of Changes

Section 1805.504 Retained Earnings

Section 1805.504 of the current rule contains the requirements for use of retained earnings as matching funds for a financial assistance award. This interim rule revises § 1805.504 by making consistent the requirements for a for-profit entity and a nonprofit entity (not including Insured Credit Unions or State-Insured Credit Unions). This revision is made for the purpose of ensuring that for-profit and nonprofit entities are treated the same. In addition, this section is revised to clarify what the Fund means by retained earnings: specifically, an entity's operating income minus operating expenses less any dividend payments.

IV. Rulemaking Analysis

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

It has been determined that this regulation is not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a Regulatory Assessment is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Because no notice of proposed rule making is required for this revised interim rule, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The collections of information contained in this interim rule have been previously reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and assigned OMB Control Numbers 1559-0006, 1559-0021, and 1559-0022. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by OMB. This document restates the collections of information without substantive change.

Comments concerning suggestions for reducing the burden of collections of information should be directed to the Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 601 13th Street, NW., Suite 200 South, Washington, DC 20005 and to the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503.

National Environmental Policy Act

Pursuant to Treasury Directive 75-02 (Department of the Treasury Environmental Quality Program), the Department has determined that these interim regulations are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act and do not require an environmental review.

Administrative Procedure Act

Because the revisions to this interim rule relate to loans and grants, notice and public procedure and a delayed effective date are not required pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act found at 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2).

Comment

Public comment is solicited on all aspects of this interim regulation. The Fund will consider all comments made on the substance of this interim regulation, but does not intend to hold hearings.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Community Development Financial Institutions Program—21.020.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1805

• Community development
• Grant programs—housing and community development
• Loan programs—housing and community development
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
• Small businesses

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 12 CFR part 1805 is revised to read as follows:

PART 1805—COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM

Subpart A—General Provisions

1805.100

Purpose.

1805.101

Summary.

1805.102

Relationship to other Fund programs.

1805.103

Awardee not instrumentality.

1805.104

Definitions.

1805.105

Waiver authority.

1805.106

OMB control number.

Subpart B—Eligibility

1805.200

Applicant eligibility.

1805.201

Certification as a Community Development Financial Institution.

Subpart C—Use of Funds/Eligible Activities

1805.300

Purposes of financial assistance.

1805.301

Eligible activities.

1805.302

Restrictions on use of assistance.

1805.303

Technical assistance.

Subpart D—Investment Instruments

1805.400

Investment instruments—general.

1805.401

Forms of investment instruments.

1805.402

Assistance limits.

1805.403

Authority to sell.

Subpart E—Matching Funds Requirements

1805.500

Matching funds—general.

1805.501

Comparability of form and value.

1805.502

Severe constraints waiver.

1805.503

Time frame for raising match.

1805.504

Retained earnings.

Subpart F—Applications for Assistance

1805.600

Notice of Funds Availability.

Subpart G—Evaluation and Selection of Applications

1805.700

Evaluation and selection—general.

1805.701

Evaluation of applications.

Subpart H—Terms and Conditions of Assistance

1805.800

Safety and soundness.

1805.801

Notice of Award.

1805.802

Assistance Agreement; sanctions.

1805.803

Disbursement of funds.

1805.804

Data collection and reporting.

1805.805

Information.

1805.806

Compliance with government requirements.

1805.807

Conflict of interest requirements.

1805.808

Lobbying restrictions.

1805.809

Criminal provisions.

1805.810

Fund deemed not to control.

1805.811

Limitation on liability.

1805.812

Fraud, waste and abuse.

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4703, 4703 note, 4710, 4717; and 31 U.S.C. 321.

Subpart A—General Provisions

§ 1805.100

Purpose.

The purpose of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program is to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions.

§ 1805.101

Summary.

Under the Community Development Financial Institutions Program, the Fund will provide financial and technical assistance to Applicants selected by the Fund in order to enhance their ability to make loans and investments and provide services. An Awardee must serve an Investment Area(s), Targeted Population(s), or both. The Fund will select Awardees to receive financial and technical assistance through a merit-based qualitative application process. Each Awardee will enter into an Assistance Agreement which will require it to achieve performance goals negotiated between the Fund and the Awardee and abide by other terms and conditions pertinent to any assistance received under this part.

§ 1805.102

Relationship to other Fund programs.

(a) Bank Enterprise Award Program. (1) No Community Development Financial Institution may receive a Bank Enterprise Award under the Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program (part 1806 of this chapter) if it has:

(i) An application pending for assistance under the Community Development Financial Institutions Program;

(ii) Directly received assistance in the form of a disbursement under the Community Development Financial Institutions Program within the preceding 12-month period prior to the date the Fund selected the CDFI to receive a Bank Enterprise Award (meaning, the date of the Fund's BEA Program notice of award); or

(iii) Ever directly received assistance under the Community Development Financial Institutions Program for the same activities for which it is seeking a Bank Enterprise Award.

(2) An equity investment (as defined in part 1806 of this chapter) in, or a loan to, a Community Development Financial Institution, or deposits in an Insured Community Development Financial Institution, made by a BEA Program Awardee may be used to meet the matching funds requirements described in subpart E of this part. Receipt of such equity investment, loan, or deposit does not disqualify a Community Development Financial Institution from receiving assistance under this part.

(b) Liquidity enhancement program. No entity that receives assistance through the liquidity enhancement program authorized under section 113 (12 U.S.C. 4712) of the Act may receive assistance under the Community Development Financial Institutions Program.

§ 1805.103

Awardee not instrumentality.

No Awardee (or its Community Partner) shall be deemed to be an agency, department, or instrumentality of the United States.

§ 1805.104

Definitions.

For the purpose of this part:

(a) Act means the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994, as amended (12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.);

(b) Affiliate means any company or entity that Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with another company;

(c) Applicant means any entity submitting an application for CDFI Program assistance or funding under this part;

(d) Appropriate Federal Banking Agency has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q)), and includes, with respect to Insured Credit Unions, the National Credit Union Administration;

(e) Appropriate State Agency means an agency or instrumentality of a State that regulates and/or insures the member accounts of a State-Insured Credit Union;

(f) Assistance Agreement means a formal agreement between the Fund and an Awardee which specifies the terms and conditions of assistance under this part;

(g) Awardee means an Applicant selected by the Fund to receive assistance pursuant to this part;

(h) Community Development Financial Institution (or CDFI) means an entity currently meeting the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200;

(i) Community Development Financial Institution Intermediary (or CDFI Intermediary) means an entity that meets the CDFI Program eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 and whose primary business activity is the provision of Financial Products to CDFIs and/or emerging CDFIs;

(j) Community Development Financial Institutions Program (or CDFI Program) means the program authorized by sections 105-108 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 4704-4707) and implemented under this part;

(k) Community Facility means a facility where health care, childcare, educational, cultural, or social services are provided;

(l) Community-Governed means an entity in which the residents of an Investment Area(s) or members of a Targeted Population(s) represent greater than 50 percent of the governing body;

(m) Community-Owned means an entity in which the residents of an Investment Area(s) or members of a Targeted Population(s) have an ownership interest of greater than 50 percent;

(n) Community Partner means a person (other than an individual) that provides loans, Equity Investments, or Development Services and enters into a Community Partnership with an Applicant. A Community Partner may include a Depository Institution Holding Company, an Insured Depository Institution, an Insured Credit Union, a State-Insured Credit Union, a not-for-profit or for-profit organization, a State or local government entity, a quasi-government entity, or an investment company authorized pursuant to the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.);

(o) Community Partnership means an agreement between an Applicant and a Community Partner to collaboratively provide Financial Products or Development Services to an Investment Area(s) or a Targeted Population(s);

(p) Comprehensive Business Plan means a document covering not less than the next five years which meets the requirements described in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability (NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABILITY);

(q) Control means: (1) Ownership, control, or power to vote 25 percent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of Voting Securities of any company, directly or indirectly or acting through one or more other persons; (2) Control in any manner over the election of a majority of the directors, trustees, or general partners (or individuals exercising similar functions) of any company; or (3) The power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management, credit or investment decisions, or policies of any company.

(r) Depository Institution Holding Company means a bank holding company or a savings and loan holding company as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(w)(1));

(s) Development Services means activities that promote community development and are integral to the Applicant's provision of Financial Products and Financial Services. Such services shall prepare or assist current or potential borrowers or investees to utilize the Financial Products or Financial Services of the Applicant. Such services include, for example: financial or credit counseling to individuals for the purpose of facilitating home ownership, promoting self-employment, or enhancing consumer financial management skills; or technical assistance to borrowers or investees for the purpose of enhancing business planning, marketing, management, and financial management skills;

(t) Equity Investment means an investment made by an Applicant that, in the judgment of the Fund, supports or enhances activities that serve an Investment Area(s) or a Targeted Population(s). Such investments must be made through an arms-length transaction with a third party that does not have a relationship with the Applicant as an Affiliate. Equity Investments may comprise a stock purchase, a purchase of a partnership interest, a purchase of a limited liability company membership interest, a loan made on such terms that it has sufficient characteristics of equity (and is considered as such by the Fund), a purchase of secondary capital, or any other investment deemed to be an Equity Investment by the Fund;

(u) Financial Products means: Loans, Equity Investments and similar financing activities (as determined by the Fund) including the purchase of loans originated by certified CDFIs and the provision of loan guarantees; in the case of CDFI Intermediaries, grants to CDFIs and/or emerging CDFIs and deposits in Insured Credit Union CDFIs, emerging Insured Credit Union CDFIs, and/or State-Insured Credit Union CDFIs.

(v) Financial Services means checking, savings accounts, check cashing, money orders, certified checks, automated teller machines, deposit taking, safe deposit box services, and other similar services;

(w) Fund means the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund established under section 104(a) (12 U.S.C. 4703(a)) of the Act;

(x) Indian Reservation means any geographic area that meets the requirements of section 4(10) of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1903(10)), and shall include land held by incorporated Native groups, regional corporations, and village corporations, as defined in and pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602), public domain Indian allotments, and former Indian reservations in the State of Oklahoma;

(y) Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, pueblo, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians;

(z) Insider means any director, officer, employee, principal shareholder (owning, individually or in combination with family members, five percent or more of any class of stock), or agent (or any family member or business partner of any of the above) of any Applicant, Affiliate or Community Partner;

(aa) Insured CDFI means a CDFI that is an Insured Depository Institution or an Insured Credit Union;

(bb) Insured Credit Union means any credit union, the member accounts of which are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund;

(cc) Insured Depository Institution means any bank or thrift, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

(dd) Investment Area means a geographic area meeting the requirements of § 1805.201(b)(3);

(ee) Low-Income means an income, adjusted for family size, of not more than:

(1) For Metropolitan Areas, 80 percent of the area median family income; and

(2) For non-Metropolitan Areas, the greater of:

(i) 80 percent of the area median family income; or

(ii) 80 percent of the statewide non-Metropolitan Area median family income;

(ff) Metropolitan Area means an area designated as such by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3504(e) and 31 U.S.C. 1104(d) and Executive Order 10253 (3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., p. 758), as amended;

(gg) Non-Regulated CDFI means any entity meeting the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 which is not a Depository Institution Holding Company, Insured Depository Institution, Insured Credit Union, or State-Insured Credit Union;

(hh) State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(ii) State-Insured Credit Union means any credit union that is regulated by, and/or the member accounts of which are insured by, a State agency or instrumentality;

(jj) Subsidiary means any company which is owned or Controlled directly or indirectly by another company and includes any service corporation owned in whole or part by an Insured Depository Institution or any Subsidiary of such a service corporation, except as provided in § 1805.200(b)(4);

(kk) Targeted Population means individuals or an identifiable group of individuals meeting the requirements of § 1805.201(b)(3); and

(ll) Target Market means an Investment Area(s) and/or a Targeted Population(s).

(mm)(1) Voting Securities means shares of common or preferred stock, general or limited partnership shares or interests, or similar interests if the shares or interest, by statute, charter, or in any manner, entitle the holder:

(i) To vote for or select directors, trustees, or partners (or persons exercising similar functions of the issuing company); or

(ii) To vote on or to direct the conduct of the operations or other significant policies of the issuing company.

(2) Nonvoting shares. Preferred shares, limited partnership shares or interests, or similar interests are not Voting Securities if:

(i) Any voting rights associated with the shares or interest are limited solely to the type customarily provided by statute with regard to matters that would significantly and adversely affect the rights or preference of the security or other interest, such as the issuance of additional amounts or classes of senior securities, the modification of the terms of the security or interest, the dissolution of the issuing company, or the payment of dividends by the issuing company when preferred dividends are in arrears;

(ii) The shares or interest represent an essentially passive investment or financing device and do not otherwise provide the holder with control over the issuing company; and

(iii) The shares or interest do not entitle the holder, by statute, charter, or in any manner, to select or to vote for the selection of directors, trustees, or partners (or persons exercising similar functions) of the issuing company.

§ 1805.105

Waiver authority.

The Fund may waive any requirement of this part that is not required by law upon a determination of good cause. Each such waiver shall be in writing and supported by a statement of the facts and the grounds forming the basis of the waiver. For a waiver in an individual case, the Fund must determine that application of the requirement to be waived would adversely affect the achievement of the purposes of the Act. For waivers of general applicability, the Fund will publish notification of granted waivers in the Federal Register.

§ 1805.106

OMB control number.

The collection of information requirements in this part have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB control numbers 1559-0006, 1559-0021 and 1559-0022.

Subpart B—Eligibility

§ 1805.200

Applicant eligibility.

(a) General requirements. (1) An entity that meets the requirements described in § 1805.201(b) and paragraph (b) of this section will be considered a CDFI and, subject to paragraph (a)(4) of this section, will be eligible to apply for assistance under this part.

(2) An entity that proposes to become a CDFI is eligible to apply for assistance under this part if the Fund:

(i) Receives a complete application for certification from the entity within the time period set forth in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability; and

(ii) Determines that such entity's application materials provide a realistic course of action to ensure that it will meet the requirements described in § 1805.201(b) and paragraph (b) of this section within the period set forth in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

(3) The Fund will not, however, disburse any financial assistance to such an entity before it meets the requirements described in this section. Moreover, notwithstanding paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section, the Fund reserves the right to require an entity to have been certified as described in § 1805.201(a) prior to its submission of an application for assistance, as set forth in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

(4) The Fund shall require an entity to meet any additional eligibility requirements that the Fund deems appropriate.

(5) The Fund, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether an Applicant fulfills the requirements set forth in this section and § 1805.201(b).

(b) Provisions applicable to Depository Institution Holding Companies and Insured Depository Institutions. (1) A Depository Institution Holding Company may qualify as a CDFI only if it and its Affiliates collectively satisfy the requirements described in this section.

(2) No Affiliate of a Depository Institution Holding Company may qualify as a CDFI unless the holding company and all of its Affiliates collectively meet the requirements described in this section.

(3) No Subsidiary of an Insured Depository Institution may qualify as a CDFI if the Insured Depository Institution and its Subsidiaries do not collectively meet the requirements described in this section.

(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (b)(1), (2) and (3) of this section, an Applicant will be considered to be a Subsidiary of any Insured Depository Institution or Depository Institution Holding Company that controls 25 percent or more of any class of the Applicant's voting shares, or otherwise controls, in any manner, the election of a majority of directors of the Applicant.

§ 1805.201

Certification as a Community Development Financial Institution.

(a) General. An entity may apply to the Fund for certification that it meets the CDFI eligibility requirements regardless of whether it is seeking financial or technical assistance from the Fund. Entities seeking such certification shall provide the information set forth in the application for certification. Certification by the Fund will verify that the entity meets the CDFI eligibility requirements. However, such certification shall not constitute an opinion by the Fund as to the financial viability of the CDFI or that the CDFI will be selected to receive an award from the Fund. The Fund, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to decertify a certified entity after a determination that the eligibility requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, § 1805.200(b) or (a)(4) (if applicable) are no longer met.

(b) Eligibility verification. An Applicant shall demonstrate whether it meets the eligibility requirements described in this paragraph (b) of this section and § 1805.200 by providing the information described in the application for certification demonstrating that the Applicant meets the eligibility requirements described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(6) of this section. The Fund, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether an Applicant has satisfied the requirements of this paragraph (b) and § 1805.200.

(1) Primary mission. A CDFI shall have a primary mission of promoting community development. In determining whether an Applicant has such a primary mission, the Fund will consider whether the activities of the Applicant are purposefully directed toward improving the social and/or economic conditions of underserved people (which may include Low-Income persons and persons who lack adequate access to capital and/or Financial Services) and/or residents of economically distressed communities (which may include Investment Areas).

(2) Financing entity. A CDFI shall be an entity whose predominant business activity is the provision, in arms-length transactions, of Financial Products, Development Services, and/or other similar financing. An Applicant may demonstrate that it is such an entity if it is a(n):

(i) Depository Institution Holding Company;

(ii) Insured Depository Institution, Insured Credit Union, or State-Insured Credit Union; or

(iii) Organization that is deemed by the Fund to have such a predominant business activity as a result of analysis of its financial statements, organizing documents, and any other information required to be submitted as part of its application. In conducting such analysis, the Fund may take into consideration an Applicant's total assets and its use of personnel.

(3) Target Market. (i) General. An Applicant may be found to serve a Target Market by virtue of serving one or more Investment Areas and/or Targeted Populations. An Investment Area shall meet specific geographic and other criteria described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, and a Targeted Population shall meet the criteria described in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) in this section.

(ii) Investment Area. (A) General. A geographic area will be considered eligible for designation as an Investment Area if it:

(1) Is entirely located within the geographic boundaries of the United States (which shall encompass any State of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands); and either

(2) Meets at least one of the objective criteria of economic distress as set forth in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(D) of this section and has significant unmet needs for loans, Equity Investments, or Financial Services as described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(E) of this section; or

(3) Encompasses (i.e. wholly consists of) or is wholly located within an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community designated under section 1391 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1391).

(B) Geographic units. Subject to the remainder of this paragraph (B), an Investment Area shall consist of a geographic unit(s) that is a county (or equivalent area), minor civil division that is a unit of local government, incorporated place, census tract, block numbering area, block group, or American Indian or Alaska Native area (as such units are defined or reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census). However, geographic units in Metropolitan Areas that are used to comprise an Investment Area shall be limited to census tracts, block groups and American Indian or Alaskan Native areas. An Applicant may designate one or more Investment Areas as part of a single application.

(C) Designation. An Applicant may designate an Investment Area by selecting:

(1) A geographic unit(s) which individually meets one of the criteria in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(D) of this section; or

(2) A group of contiguous geographic units which together meet one of the criteria in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(D) of this section, provided that the combined population residing within individual geographic units not meeting any such criteria does not exceed 15 percent of the total population of the entire Investment Area.

(D) Distress criteria. An Investment Area (or the units that comprise an area) must meet at least one of the following objective criteria of economic distress (as reported in the most recently completed decennial census published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census):

(1) The percentage of the population living in poverty is at least 20 percent;

(2) In the case of an Investment Area located:

(i) Within a Metropolitan Area, the median family income shall be at or below 80 percent of the Metropolitan Area median family income or the national Metropolitan Area median family income, whichever is greater; or

(ii) Outside of a Metropolitan Area, the median family income shall be at or below 80 percent of the statewide non-Metropolitan Area median family income or the national non-Metropolitan Area median family income, whichever is greater;

(3) The unemployment rate is at least 1.5 times the national average;

(4) In counties located outside of a Metropolitan Area, the county population loss during the period between the most recent decennial census and the previous decennial census is at least 10 percent; or

(5) In counties located outside of a Metropolitan Area, the county net migration loss during the five-year period preceding the most recent decennial census is at least five percent.

(E) Unmet needs. An Investment Area will be deemed to have significant unmet needs for loans or Equity Investments if a narrative analysis provided by the Applicant adequately demonstrate a pattern of unmet needs for Financial Products or Financial Services within such area(s).

(F) Serving Investment Areas. An Applicant may serve an Investment Area directly or through borrowers or investees that serve the Investment Area or provide significant benefits to its residents.

(iii) Targeted Population. (A) General. Targeted Population shall mean individuals, or an identifiable group of individuals, who are Low-Income persons or lack adequate access to Financial Products or Financial Services in the Applicant's service area. The members of a Targeted Population shall reside within the boundaries of the United States (which shall encompass any State of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands).

(B) Serving A Targeted Population. An Applicant may serve the members of a Targeted Population directly or indirectly or through borrowers or investees that directly serve or provide significant benefits to such members.

(4) Development Services. A CDFI directly, through an Affiliate, or through a contract with another provider, shall provide Development Services in conjunction with its Financial Products.

(5) Accountability. A CDFI must maintain accountability to residents of its Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) through representation on its governing board or otherwise.

(6) Non-government. A CDFI shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the United States, or any State or political subdivision thereof. An entity that is created by, or that receives substantial assistance from, one or more government entities may be a CDFI provided it is not controlled by such entities and maintains independent decision-making power over its activities.

Subpart C—Use of Funds/Eligible Activities

§ 1805.300

Purposes of financial assistance.

The Fund may provide financial assistance through investment instruments described under subpart D of this part. Such financial assistance is intended to strengthen the capital position and enhance the ability of an Awardee to provide Financial Products and Financial Services.

§ 1805.301

Eligible activities.

Financial assistance provided under this part may be used by an Awardee to serve Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) by developing or supporting, through lending, investing, enhancing liquidity, or other means of finance:

(a) Commercial facilities that promote revitalization, community stability or job creation or retention;

(b) Businesses that:

(1) Provide jobs for Low-Income persons;

(2) Are owned by Low-Income persons; or

(3) Enhance the availability of products and services to Low-Income persons;

(c) Community Facilities;

(d) The provision of Financial Services;

(e) Housing that is principally affordable to Low-Income persons, except that assistance used to facilitate home ownership shall only be used for services and lending products that serve Low-Income persons and that:

(1) Are not provided by other lenders in the area; or

(2) Complement the services and lending products provided by other lenders that serve the Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s);

(f) The provision of consumer loans (a loan to one or more individuals for household, family, or other personal expenditures); or

(g) Other businesses or activities as requested by the Applicant and deemed appropriate by the Fund.

§ 1805.302

Restrictions on use of assistance.

(a) An Awardee shall use assistance provided by the Fund and its corresponding matching funds only for the eligible activities approved by the Fund and described in the Assistance Agreement.

(b) An Awardee may not distribute assistance to an Affiliate without the Fund's consent.

(c) Assistance provided upon approval of an application involving a Community Partnership shall only be distributed to the Awardee and shall not be used to fund any activities carried out by a Community Partner or an Affiliate of a Community Partner.

§ 1805.303

Technical assistance.

(a) The Fund may provide technical assistance to build the capacity of a CDFI or an entity that proposes to become a CDFI. Such technical assistance may include training for management and other personnel; development of programs, products and services; improving financial management and internal operations; enhancing a CDFI's community impact; or other activities deemed appropriate by the Fund. The Fund, in its sole discretion, may provide technical assistance in amounts, or under terms and conditions that are different from those requested by an Applicant. The Fund may not provide any technical assistance to an Applicant for the purpose of assisting in the preparation of an application. The Fund may provide technical assistance to a CDFI directly, through grants, or by contracting with organizations that possess the appropriate expertise.

(b) The Fund may provide technical assistance regardless of whether the recipient also receives financial assistance under this part. Technical assistance provided pursuant to this part is subject to the assistance limits described in § 1805.402.

(c) An Applicant seeking technical assistance must meet the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 and submit an application as described in § 1805.600.

(d) Applicants for technical assistance pursuant to this part will be evaluated pursuant to the merit-based qualitative review criteria in subpart G of this part, except as otherwise may be provided in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability. In addition, the requirements for matching funds are not applicable to technical assistance requests.

Subpart D—Investment Instruments

§ 1805.400

Investment instruments—general.

The Fund will provide financial assistance to an Awardee through one or more of the investment instruments described in § 1805.401, and under such terms and conditions as described in this subpart D. The Fund, in its sole discretion, may provide financial assistance in amounts, through investment instruments, or under rates, terms and conditions that are different from those requested by an Applicant.

§ 1805.401

Forms of investment instruments.

(a) Equity. The Fund may make nonvoting equity investments in an Awardee, including, without limitation, the purchase of nonvoting stock. Such stock shall be transferable and, in the discretion of the Fund, may provide for convertibility to voting stock upon transfer. The Fund shall not own more than 50 percent of the equity of an Awardee and shall not control its operations.

(b) Grants. The Fund may award grants.

(c) Loans. The Fund may make loans, if permitted by applicable law.

(d) Deposits and credit union shares. The Fund may make deposits (which shall include credit union shares) in Insured CDFIs and State-Insured Credit Unions. Deposits in an Insured CDFI or a State-Insured Credit Union shall not be subject to any requirement for collateral or security.

§ 1805.402

Assistance limits.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the Fund may not provide, pursuant to this part, more than $5 million, in the aggregate, in financial and technical assistance to an Awardee and its Affiliates during any three-year period.

(b) If an Awardee proposes to establish a new Affiliate to serve an Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) outside of any State, and outside of any Metropolitan Area, currently served by the Awardee or its Affiliates, the Awardee may receive additional assistance pursuant to this part up to a maximum of $3.75 million during the same three-year period. Such additional assistance:

(1) Shall be used only to finance activities in the new or expanded Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s); and

(2) Must be distributed to a new Affiliate that meets the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 and is selected for assistance pursuant to subpart G of this part.

(c) An Awardee may receive the assistance described in paragraph (b) of this section only if no other application to serve substantially the same Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) that meets the requirements of § 1805.701(a) was submitted to the Fund prior to the receipt of the application of said Awardee and within the current funding round.

§ 1805.403

Authority to sell.

The Fund may, at any time, sell its equity investments and loans, provided the Fund shall retain the authority to enforce the provisions of the Assistance Agreement until the performance goals specified therein have been met.

Subpart E—Matching Funds Requirements

§ 1805.500

Matching funds—general.

All financial assistance awarded under this part shall be matched with funds from sources other than the Federal government. Except as provided in § 1805.502, such matching funds shall be provided on the basis of not less than one dollar for each dollar provided by the Fund. Funds that have been used to satisfy a legal requirement for obtaining funds under either the CDFI Program or another Federal grant or award program may not be used to satisfy the matching requirements described in this section. Community Development Block Grant Program and other funds provided pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), shall be considered Federal government funds and shall not be used to meet the matching requirements. Matching funds shall be used as provided in the Assistance Agreement. Funds that are used prior to the execution of the Assistance Agreement may nevertheless qualify as matching funds provided the Fund determines in its reasonable discretion that such use promoted the purpose of the Comprehensive Business Plan that the Fund is supporting through its assistance.

§ 1805.501

Comparability of form and value.

(a) Matching funds shall be at least comparable in form (e.g., equity investments, deposits, credit union shares, loans and grants) and value to financial assistance provided by the Fund (except as provided in § 1805.502). The Fund shall have the discretion to determine whether matching funds pledged are comparable in form and value to the financial assistance requested.

(b) In the case of an Awardee that raises matching funds from more than one source, through different investment instruments, or under varying terms and conditions, the Fund may provide financial assistance in a manner that represents the combined characteristics of such instruments.

(c) An Awardee may meet all or part of its matching requirements by committing available earnings retained from its operations.

§ 1805.502

Severe constraints waiver.

(a) In the case of an Applicant with severe constraints on available sources of matching funds, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may permit such Applicant to comply with the matching requirements by:

(1) Reducing such requirements by up to 50 percent; or

(2) Permitting an Applicant to provide matching funds in a form to be determined at the discretion of the Fund, if such an Applicant:

(i) Has total assets of less than $100,000;

(ii) Serves an area that is not a Metropolitan Area; and

(iii) Is not requesting more than $25,000 in assistance.

(b) Not more than 25 percent of the total funds available for obligation under this part in any fiscal year may be matched as described in paragraph (a) of this section. Additionally, not more than 25 percent of the total funds disbursed under this part in any fiscal year may be matched as described in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) An Applicant may request a “severe constraints waiver” as part of its application for assistance. An Applicant shall provide a narrative justification for its request, indicating:

(1) The cause and extent of the constraints on raising matching funds;

(2) Efforts to date, results, and projections for raising matching funds;

(3) A description of the matching funds expected to be raised; and

(4) Any additional information requested by the Fund.

(d) The Fund will grant a “severe constraints waiver” only in exceptional circumstances when it has been demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Fund, that an Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) would not be adequately served without the waiver.

§ 1805.503

Time frame for raising match.

Applicants shall satisfy matching funds requirements within the period set forth in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

§ 1805.504

Retained earnings.

(a) An Applicant may use its retained earnings to match a request for a financial assistance grant from the Fund. An Applicant that proposes to meet all or a portion of its matching funds requirements by committing available earnings retained from its operations shall be subject to the restrictions described in this section. Retained earnings shall be calculated as directed by the Fund in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability, the financial assistance application and/or related guidance materials. Retained earnings accumulated after the end of the Applicant's most recent fiscal year ending prior to the appropriate application deadline may not be used as matching funds.

(b) In the case of an Applicant that is not an Insured Credit Union or a State-Insured Credit Union, retained earnings that may be used for matching funds purposes shall consist of:

(1) The increase in retained earnings (meaning, for purposes of § 1805.504(b), operating income minus operating expenses less any dividend payments) that has occurred over the Applicant's most recent fiscal year (e.g., retained earnings at the end of fiscal year 2003 less retained earnings at the end of fiscal year 2002); or

(2) The annual average of such increases that has occurred over the Applicant's three most recent fiscal years.

(c)(1) In the case of an Applicant that is an Insured Credit Union or a State-Insured Credit Union, retained earnings that may be used for matching funds purposes shall consist of:

(i) The increase in retained earnings that has occurred over the Applicant's most recent fiscal year;

(ii) The annual average of such increases that has occurred over the Applicant's three most recent fiscal years; or

(iii) The entire retained earnings that have been accumulated since the inception of the Applicant, provided that the Assistance Agreement shall require that:

(A) The Awardee shall increase its member shares, non-member shares, outstanding loans and/or other measurable activity as defined in and by an amount that is set forth in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability; and

(B) Such increase must be achieved by a date certain set forth in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability;

(C) The Applicant's Comprehensive Business Plan shall discuss its strategy for achieving the increases described in (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section and the activities associated therewith;

(D) The level from which the achievement of said increases will be measured will be as of July 31 of the calendar year in which the applicable application deadline falls (or such other date as set forth in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability); and

(E) Financial assistance shall be disbursed by the Fund only as the amount of increases described in paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section is achieved.

(2) The Fund will allow an Applicant to utilize the option described in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section for matching funds only if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Applicant will have a high probability of success in achieving said increases to the specified amounts.

Subpart F—Applications for Assistance

§ 1805.600

Notice of Funds Availability.

Each Applicant shall submit an application for financial or technical assistance under this part in accordance with the applicable Notice of Funds Availability published in the Federal Register. The Notice of Funds Availability will advise potential Applicants on how to obtain an application packet and will establish deadlines and other requirements. The Notice of Funds Availability may specify any limitations, special rules, procedures, and restrictions for a particular funding round. After receipt of an application, the Fund may request clarifying or technical information on the materials submitted as part of such application.

Subpart G—Evaluation and Selection of Applications

§ 1805.700

Evaluation and selection—general.

Applicants will be evaluated and selected, at the sole discretion of the Fund, to receive assistance based on a review process, that could include an interview(s) and/or site visit(s), that is intended to:

(a) Ensure that Applicants are evaluated on a merit basis and in a fair and consistent manner;

(b) Take into consideration the unique characteristics of Applicants that vary by institution type, total asset size, stage of organizational development, markets served, products and services provided, and location;

(c) Ensure that each Awardee can successfully meet the goals of its Comprehensive Business Plan and achieve community development impact;

(d) Ensure that Awardees represent a geographically diverse group of Applicants serving Metropolitan Areas, non-Metropolitan Areas, and Indian Reservations from different regions of the United States; and

(e) Take into consideration other factors as described in the applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

§ 1805.701

Evaluation of applications.

(a) Eligibility and completeness. An Applicant will not be eligible to receive assistance pursuant to this part if it fails to meet the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 or if it has not submitted complete application materials. For the purposes of this paragraph (a), the Fund reserves the right to request additional information from the Applicant, if the Fund deems it appropriate.

(b) Substantive review. In evaluating and selecting applications to receive assistance, the Fund will evaluate the Applicant's likelihood of success in meeting the goals of the Comprehensive Business Plan and achieving community development impact, by considering factors such as:

(1) Community development track record (e.g., in the case of an Applicant with a prior history of serving a Target Market, the extent of success in serving such Target Market);

(2) Operational capacity and risk mitigation strategies;

(3) Financial track record and strength;

(4) Capacity, skills and experience of the management team;

(5) Understanding of its market context, including its analysis of current and prospective customers, the extent of economic distress within the designated Investment Area(s) or the extent of need within the designated Targeted Population(s), as those factors are measured by objective criteria, the extent of need for Equity Investments, loans, Development Services, and Financial Services within the designated Target Market, and the extent of demand within the Target Market for the Applicant's products and services;

(6) Program design and implementation plan, including an assessment of its products and services, marketing and outreach efforts, delivery strategy, and coordination with other institutions and/or a Community Partner, or participation in a secondary market for purposes of increasing the Applicant's resources. In the case of an Applicant submitting an application with a Community Partner, the Fund will evaluate the extent to which the Community Partner will participate in carrying out the activities of the Community Partnership; the extent to which the Community Partner will enhance the likelihood of success of the Comprehensive Business Plan; and the extent to which service to the designated Target Market will be better performed by a Community Partnership than by the Applicant alone;

(7) Projections for financial performance, capitalization and raising needed external resources, including the amount of firm commitments and matching funds in hand to meet or exceed the matching funds requirements and, if applicable, the likely success of the plan for raising the balance of the matching funds in a timely manner, the extent to which the matching funds are, or will be, derived from private sources, and whether an Applicant is, or will become, an Insured CDFI or a State-Insured Credit Union;

(8) Projections for community development impact, including the extent to which an Applicant will concentrate its activities on serving its Target Market(s), the extent of support from the designated Target Market, the extent to which an Applicant is, or will be, Community-Owned or Community-Governed, and the extent to which the activities proposed in the Comprehensive Business Plan will expand economic opportunities or promote community development within the designated Target Market;

(9) The extent of need for the Fund's assistance, as demonstrated by the extent of economic distress in the Applicant's Target Market and the extent to which the Applicant needs the Fund's assistance to carry out its Comprehensive Business Plan;

(10) In the case of an Applicant that has previously received assistance under the CDFI Program, the Fund also will consider the Applicant's level of success in meeting its performance goals, financial soundness covenants (if applicable), and other requirements contained in the previously negotiated and executed Assistance Agreement(s) with the Fund, the undisbursed balance of assistance, and whether the Applicant will, with additional assistance from the Fund, expand its operations into a new Target Market, offer more products or services, and/or increase the volume of its activities; and

(11) The Fund may consider any other factors, as it deems appropriate, in reviewing an application as set forth in an applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

(c) Consultation with Appropriate Federal Banking Agencies. The Fund will consult with, and consider the views of, the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency prior to providing assistance to:

(1) An Insured CDFI;

(2) A CDFI that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency; or

(3) A CDFI that has as its Community Partner an institution that is examined by, or subject to, the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.

(d) Consultation with Appropriate State Agencies. Prior to providing assistance to a State-Insured Credit Union, the Fund may consult with, and consider the views of, the Appropriate State Agency.

(e) Awardee selection. The Fund will select Awardees based on the criteria described in paragraph (b) of this section and any other criteria set forth in this part or the applicable Notice of Funds Availability.

Subpart H—Terms and Conditions of Assistance

§ 1805.800

Safety and soundness.

(a) Regulated institutions. Nothing in this part, or in an Assistance Agreement, shall affect any authority of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency to supervise and regulate any institution or company.

(b) Non-Regulated CDFIs. The Fund will, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that Awardees that are Non-Regulated CDFIs are financially and managerially sound and maintain appropriate internal controls.

§ 1805.801

Notice of Award.

(a) The Fund will generally signify its selection of an Applicant as an Awardee by delivering a signed notice of award to the Applicant. The notice of award will contain the general terms and conditions underlying the Fund's provision of assistance to an Awardee including, but not limited to, the requirement that an Awardee and the Fund enter into an Assistance Agreement.

(b) To become an Awardee under paragraph (a) of this section, an Applicant shall execute the notice of award and return it to the Fund.

(c) By executing a notice of award, an Awardee agrees that, if prior to entering into an Assistance Agreement with the Fund, information comes to the attention of the Fund that either adversely affects the Awardee's eligibility for funding, or adversely affects the Fund's evaluation of the Awardee's application, or indicates fraud or mismanagement on the part of the Awardee, the Fund may, in its discretion and without advance notice to the Awardee, terminate the notice of award or take such other actions as it deems appropriate. Moreover, by executing a notice of award, an Awardee also agrees that, if prior to entering into an Assistance Agreement with the Fund, the Fund determines that the Awardee is not in compliance with the terms of any previous Assistance Agreement entered into with the Fund, the Fund may, in its discretion and without advance notice to the Awardee, either terminate the notice of award or take such other actions as it deems appropriate. An Awardee shall notify the Fund of information that an Awardee may reasonably believe may affect its eligibility or ability to achieve the objectives of its Comprehensive Business Plan as submitted to the Fund (such as changes in management).

(d) The Fund will notify an Awardee of either the Fund's termination of a notice of award or such other action(s) taken by the Fund under paragraph (c) of this section.

§ 1805.802

Assistance Agreement; sanctions.

(a) Prior to providing any assistance, the Fund and an Awardee shall execute an Assistance Agreement that requires an Awardee to comply with performance goals and abide by other terms and conditions of assistance. Such performance goals may be modified at any time by mutual consent of the Fund and an Awardee or as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. If a Community Partner or an Affiliate is part of an application that is selected for assistance, such partner must be a party to the Assistance Agreement, if deemed appropriate by the Fund.

(b) An Awardee shall comply with performance goals that have been negotiated with the Fund and which are based upon the Comprehensive Business Plan submitted as part of the Awardee's application. Such performance goals may include measures that require an Awardee to:

(1) Be financially sound;

(2) Be managerially sound;

(3) Maintain appropriate internal controls; and/or

(4) Achieve specific lending, investment, and development service objectives. Performance goals for Insured CDFIs shall be determined in consultation with the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, as applicable. Such goals shall be incorporated in, and enforced under, the Awardee's Assistance Agreement. Performance goals for State-Insured Credit Unions may be determined in consultation with the Appropriate State Agency, if deemed appropriate by the Fund.

(c) The Assistance Agreement shall provide that, in the event of fraud, mismanagement, noncompliance with the Act and the Fund's regulations, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the Assistance Agreement on the part of the Awardee (or the Community Partner, if applicable), the Fund, in its discretion, may:

(1) Require changes in the performance goals set forth in the Assistance Agreement;

(2) Require changes in the Awardee's Comprehensive Business Plan;

(3) Revoke approval of the Awardee's application;

(4) Reduce or terminate the Awardee's assistance;

(5) Require repayment of any assistance that has been distributed to the Awardee;

(6) Bar the Awardee (and the Community Partner, if applicable) from reapplying for any assistance from the Fund; or

(7) Take such other actions as the Fund deems appropriate.

(d) In the case of an Insured CDFI, the Assistance Agreement shall provide that the provisions of the Act, this part, and the Assistance Agreement shall be enforceable under 12 U.S.C. 1818 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act by the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, as applicable, and that any violation of such provisions shall be treated as a violation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Nothing in this paragraph (d) precludes the Fund from directly enforcing the Assistance Agreement as provided for under the terms of the Act.

(e) The Fund shall notify the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency before imposing any sanctions on an Insured CDFI or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of that agency. The Fund shall not impose a sanction described in paragraph (c) of this section if the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, in writing, not later than 30 calendar days after receiving notice from the Fund:

(1) Objects to the proposed sanction;

(2) Determines that the sanction would:

(i) Have a material adverse effect on the safety and soundness of the institution; or

(ii) Impede or interfere with an enforcement action against that institution by that agency;

(3) Proposes a comparable alternative action; and

(4) Specifically explains:

(i) The basis for the determination under paragraph (e)(2) of this section and, if appropriate, provides documentation to support the determination; and

(ii) How the alternative action suggested pursuant to paragraph (e)(3) of this section would be as effective as the sanction proposed by the Fund in securing compliance and deterring future noncompliance.

(f) In reviewing the performance of an Awardee in which its Investment Area(s) includes an Indian Reservation or Targeted Population(s) includes an Indian Tribe, the Fund shall consult with, and seek input from, the appropriate tribal government.

(g) Prior to imposing any sanctions pursuant to this section or an Assistance Agreement, the Fund shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide the Awardee (or the Community Partner, if applicable) with written notice of the proposed sanction and an opportunity to comment. Nothing in this section, however, shall provide an Awardee or Community Partner with the right to any formal or informal hearing or comparable proceeding not otherwise required by law.

§ 1805.803

Disbursement of funds.

Assistance provided pursuant to this part may be provided in a lump sum or over a period of time, as determined appropriate by the Fund. The Fund shall not provide any assistance (other than technical assistance) under this part until an Awardee has satisfied any conditions set forth in its Assistance Agreement and has secured in-hand and/or firm commitments for the matching funds required for such assistance pursuant to the applicable Notice of Funds Availability. At a minimum, a firm commitment must consist of a written agreement between an Awardee and the source of the matching funds that is conditioned only upon the availability of the Fund's assistance and such other conditions as the Fund, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate. Such agreement must provide for disbursal of the matching funds to an Awardee prior to, or simultaneously with, receipt by an Awardee of the Federal funds.

§ 1805.804

Data collection and reporting.

(a) Data—General. An Awardee (and a Community Partner, if appropriate) shall maintain such records as may be prescribed by the Fund that are necessary to:

(1) Disclose the manner in which Fund assistance is used;

(2) Demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this part and an Assistance Agreement; and

(3) Evaluate the impact of the CDFI Program.

(b) Customer profiles. An Awardee (and a Community Partner, if appropriate) shall compile such data on the gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, or other information on individuals that utilize its products and services as the Fund shall prescribe in an Assistance Agreement. Such data will be used to determine whether residents of Investment Area(s) or members of Targeted Population(s) are adequately served and to evaluate the impact of the CDFI Program.

(c) Access to records. An Awardee (and a Community Partner, if appropriate) must submit such financial and activity reports, records, statements, and documents at such times, in such forms, and accompanied by such reporting data, as required by the Fund or the U.S. Department of Treasury to ensure compliance with the requirements of this part and to evaluate the impact of the CDFI Program. The United States Government, including the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Comptroller General, and their duly authorized representatives, shall have full and free access to the Awardee's offices and facilities and all books, documents, records, and financial statements relating to use of Federal funds and may copy such documents as they deem appropriate. The Fund, if it deems appropriate, may prescribe access to record requirements for entities that are borrowers of, or that receive investments from, an Awardee.

(d) Retention of records. An Awardee shall comply with all record retention requirements as set forth in OMB Circular A-110 (as applicable).

(e) Data collection and reporting. Each Awardee shall submit to the Fund, at least annually and within 180 days after the end of the Awardee's fiscal year, such information and documentation that will permit the Fund to review the Awardee's progress (and the progress of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, and/or Community Partners, if appropriate) in implementing its Comprehensive Business Plan and satisfying the terms and conditions of its Assistance Agreement. The information and documentation shall include, but not be limited to, an Annual Report, which shall comprise the following components:

(1) Financial Report:

(i) All non-profit organizations (excluding Insured CDFIs and State-Insured Credit Unions) must submit to the Fund financial statements that have been reviewed by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, no later than 180 days after the end of the Awardee's fiscal year (audited financial statements can be provided by the due date in lieu of reviewed statements, if available). Non-profit organizations (excluding Insured CDFIs and State-Insured Credit Unions) that are required to have their financial statements audited pursuant to OMB Circular A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations, must also submit their A-133 audited financial statements to the Fund no later than 270 days after the end of the Awardee's fiscal year. Non-profit organizations (excluding Insured CDFIs and State-Insured Credit Unions) that are not required to have financial statements audited pursuant to OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations, must submit to the Fund a statement signed by the Awardee's Authorized Representative or certified public accountant, asserting that the Awardee is not required to have a single audit pursuant OMB Circular A-133.

(ii) For-profit organizations (excluding Insured CDFIs and State-Insured Credit Unions) must submit to the Fund financial statements audited in conformity with generally accepted auditing standards as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, no later than 180 days after the end of the Awardee's fiscal year.

(iii) Insured CDFIs are not required to submit financial statements to the Fund. The Fund will obtain the necessary information from publicly available sources. State-Insured Credit Unions must submit to the Fund copies of the financial statements that they submit to the Appropriate State Agency.

(iv) If multiple organizations sign the Assistance Agreement: The Awardee may submit combined financial statements and footnotes for the Awardee and other entities that signed the Assistance Agreement as long as the financial statements of each signatory are shown separately (for example, in combining financial statements).

(v) If the Assistance is in the form of a loan or a deposit: The Awardee must provide the Fund with financial statements annually throughout the term of the loan or deposit.

(vi) If the Assistance is in the form of an equity investment (common or preferred stock, secondary capital, certificate of deposit, partnership interest, or debentures): The Awardee must provide the Fund with financial statements annually for each year in which the Fund holds the equity investment.

(2) Performance Goals Report/Annual Survey: Performance Goals include performance goals and measures that are specific to the Awardee's application for funding.

(i) Performance Goals Report: The Awardee will submit to the Fund information through the Annual Survey that will inform the Fund of its compliance toward meeting the Performance Goals set forth in the Performance Goals Report.

(ii) Annual Survey: The Fund will use the Annual Survey to collect data by which to assess the Awardee's compliance toward meeting its Performance Goals and the impact of the CDFI Program and the CDFI industry. The Annual Survey is comprised of two components, the Institution-Level Report and the Transaction-Level Report.

(A) Institution-Level Report. The Institution-Level Report includes, but is not limited to, organizational, financial, portfolio and community development impact information and any other information that the Fund deems appropriate.

(B) Transaction-Level Report. The Transaction-Level Report includes, but is not limited to, specific data elements on each of the Awardee's loans and investments including, but not limited to, borrower location, loan/investment type, loan/investment amount, and terms. The Awardee must submit the Transaction-Level Report to the Fund at least annually but no more frequently than quarterly. If the Fund requires the Awardee to submit the Transaction-Level Report on a semi-annual or quarterly basis, the Fund will notify the Awardee of the due date for the submission of said report at least 60 days prior to the due date. Only Awardees that receive financial assistance awards are required to submit Transaction-Level Reports.

(3) Financial Status Report: The Financial Status Report is applicable only to Awardees that receive technical assistance awards and must be signed by the Awardee's authorized representative, and submitted to the Fund with the Annual Report. This form is only applicable to the technical assistance portion of the award.

(4) Uses of Financial Assistance and Matching Funds Report: This report describes the Awardee's use of its financial assistance award and its matching funds during its preceding fiscal year.

(5) Explanation of Noncompliance: Any Awardee that fails to meet a performance goal in its Performance Goals Report must submit to the Fund a narrative explanation.

(6) Awardees are responsible for the timely and complete submission of the Annual Report, even if all or a portion of the documents actually are completed by another entity or signatory to the Assistance Agreement. If such other entities or signatories are required to provide Annual Surveys or Financial Reports, or other documentation that the Fund may require, the Awardee is responsible for ensuring that the information is submitted timely and complete. The Fund reserves the right to contact such additional signatories to the Assistance Agreement and require that additional information and documentation be provided.

(7) The Fund's review of the progress of an Insured CDFI, a Depository Institution Holding Company or a State-Insured Credit Union in implementing its Comprehensive Business Plan and satisfying the terms and conditions of its Assistance Agreement may also include information from the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency, as the case may be.

(8) The Fund shall make reports described in this section available for public inspection after deleting any materials necessary to protect privacy or proprietary interests.

(f) Exchange of information with Appropriate Federal Banking Agencies and Appropriate State Agencies. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(4) of this section, prior to directly requesting information from or imposing reporting or record keeping requirements on an Insured CDFI or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, the Fund shall consult with the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency to determine if the information requested is available from or may be obtained by such agency in the form, format, and detail required by the Fund.

(2) If the information, reports, or records requested by the Fund pursuant to paragraph (f)(1) of this section are not provided by the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency within 15 calendar days after the date on which the material is requested, the Fund may request the information from or impose the record keeping or reporting requirements directly on such institutions with notice to the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.

(3) The Fund shall use any information provided by an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency under this section to the extent practicable to eliminate duplicative requests for information and reports from, and record keeping by, an Insured CDFI, State-Insured Credit Union or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this section, the Fund may require an Insured CDFI, State-Insured Credit Union, or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency to provide information with respect to the institution's implementation of its Comprehensive Business Plan or compliance with the terms of its Assistance Agreement, after providing notice to the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency, as the case may be.

(5) Nothing in this part shall be construed to permit the Fund to require an Insured CDFI, State-Insured Credit Union, or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency to obtain, maintain, or furnish an examination report of any Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency, or records contained in or related to such report.

(6) The Fund and the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency shall promptly notify each other of material concerns about an Awardee that is an Insured CDFI or that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, and share appropriate information relating to such concerns.

(7) Neither the Fund nor the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (or Appropriate State Agency, as the case may be) shall disclose confidential information obtained pursuant to this section from any party without the written consent of that party.

(8) The Fund, the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (or Appropriate State Agency, as the case may be), and any other party providing information under this paragraph (f) shall not be deemed to have waived any privilege applicable to the any information or data, or any portion thereof, by providing such information or data to the other party or by permitting such data or information, or any copies or portions thereof, to be used by the other party.

(g) Availability of referenced publications. The publications referenced in this section are available as follows:

(1) OMB Circulars may be obtained from the Office of Administration, Publications Office, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 2200, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or on the Internet (http://www.whitehouse.gov/​OMB/​grants/​index.html); and

(2) General Accounting Office materials may be obtained from GAO Distribution, 700 4th Street, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20548.

§ 1805.805

Information.

The Fund and each Appropriate Federal Banking Agency shall cooperate and respond to requests from each other and from other Appropriate Federal Banking Agencies in a manner that ensures the safety and soundness of Insured CDFIs or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.

§ 1805.806

Compliance with government requirements.

In carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to an Assistance Agreement, the Awardee shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, OMB Circulars, and Executive Orders.

§ 1805.807

Conflict of interest requirements.

(a) Provision of credit to Insiders. (1) An Awardee that is a Non-Regulated CDFI may not use any monies provided to it by the Fund to make any credit (including loans and Equity Investments) available to an Insider unless it meets the following restrictions:

(i) The credit must be provided pursuant to standard underwriting procedures, terms and conditions;

(ii) The Insider receiving the credit, and any family member or business partner thereof, shall not participate in any way in the decision making regarding such credit;

(iii) The board of directors or other governing body of the Awardee shall approve the extension of the credit; and

(iv) The credit must be provided in accordance with a policy regarding credit to Insiders that has been approved in advance by the Fund.

(2) An Awardee that is an Insured CDFI, a Depository Institution Holding Company or a State-Insured Credit Union shall comply with the restrictions on Insider activities and any comparable restrictions established by its Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency, as applicable.

(b) Awardee standards of conduct. An Awardee that is a Non-Regulated CDFI shall maintain a code or standards of conduct acceptable to the Fund that shall govern the performance of its Insiders engaged in the awarding and administration of any credit (including loans and Equity Investments) and contracts using monies from the Fund. No Insider of an Awardee shall solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from any actual or potential borrowers, owners or contractors for such credit or contracts. Such policies shall provide for disciplinary actions to be applied for violation of the standards by the Awardee's Insiders.

§ 1805.808

Lobbying restrictions.

No assistance made available under this part may be expended by an Awardee to pay any person to influence or attempt to influence any agency, elected official, officer or employee of a State or local government in connection with the making, award, extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any State or local government contract, grant, loan or cooperative agreement as such terms are defined in 31 U.S.C. 1352.

§ 1805.809

Criminal provisions.

The criminal provisions of 18 U.S.C. 657 regarding embezzlement or misappropriation of funds is applicable to all Awardees and Insiders.

§ 1805.810

Fund deemed not to control.

The Fund shall not be deemed to control an Awardee by reason of any assistance provided under the Act for the purpose of any applicable law.

§ 1805.811

Limitation on liability.

The liability of the Fund and the United States Government arising out of any assistance to a CDFI in accordance with this part shall be limited to the amount of the investment in the CDFI. The Fund shall be exempt from any assessments and other liabilities that may be imposed on controlling or principal shareholders by any Federal law or the law of any State. Nothing in this section shall affect the application of any Federal tax law.

§ 1805.812

Fraud, waste and abuse.

Any person who becomes aware of the existence or apparent existence of fraud, waste or abuse of assistance provided under this part should report such incidences to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Dated: December 1, 2005.

Arthur A. Garcia,

Director, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.