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 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 and technical assistance in the form of grants, loans, equity investments and deposits to competitively selected CDFIs. The Fund provides such assistance to CDFIs to enhance their ability to make loans and investments, and to provide services for the benefit of designated investment areas, targeted populations, or both (target markets). In order for an organization to qualify as a CDFI, the organization must meet specific eligibility criteria. Two such criteria are that the organization shall have a primary mission of promoting community development and its total activities must be principally directed toward serving a target market. This revised interim rule makes three changes. First, it clarifies the primary mission eligibility test. Second, the revised interim rule provides that an organization can establish that its target market has either significant unmet needs for or lacks adequate access to loans or equity investments by demonstrating a lack of adequate access to financial services. Third, this revised interim rule reduces the burden for an organization to demonstrate that it serves a targeted population comprised of an identifiable group of individuals lacking access to loans, equity investments, or financial services. In order to facilitate implementation of the CDFI Program by participating CDFIs, the complete text of the regulations, as amended, is published by this revised interim rule.
DATES:
Revised interim rule effective August 14, 2000.
Comments must be received in the offices of the Fund on or before October 13, 2000.
ADDRESSES:
All comments concerning this interim rule should be addressed to the Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Department of the Treasury, 601 13th Street, NW., Suite 200 South, Washington, DC 20005. Comments may be inspected at the above address weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Other information regarding the Fund and its programs may be obtained through the Fund's web site at http://www.treas.gov/cdfi.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maurice A. Jones, Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, at (202) 622-8662. (This is not a toll free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (Fund) was established as a wholly owned government corporation by the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (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 authorizing statute.
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. The initiative is an important step in rebuilding poverty-stricken and transitional communities and creating economic opportunity for people often left out of the economic mainstream.
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. Over the past several decades, community-based financial institutions have proven that strategic lending and investment activities tailored to the unique characteristics of underserved markets are highly effective in improving the economic well being of communities and the people who live in them.
The Fund was established to promote economic revitalization and community development through, among other things, investment in and assistance to community development financial institutions (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. Under the CDFI Program, the Fund provides CDFIs with financial and technical 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. Applicants participate in the CDFI Program through a competitive application and selection process in which the Fund makes funding decisions based on pre-established evaluation criteria. Program participants generally receive 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.
This issue of the Federal Register contains two separate Notices of Funds Availability (NOFAs) for the CDFI Program, one for the sixth round of the Core Component of the CDFI Program and another for the fifth round of the Intermediary Component of the CDFI Program. Under the Core Component, the Fund provides financial and technical assistance to CDFIs that directly serve their Target Markets through loans, investments and other activities, rather than primarily through the financing of other CDFIs. Under the Intermediary Component, the Fund provides financial and technical assistance to CDFIs that primarily provide assistance to other CDFIs and/or support the formation of CDFIs. In January 2001, the Fund expects to issue a NOFA for the first round of the Small and Emerging CDFI Assistance (SECA) Component, which will replace the Technical Assistance Component of the CDFI Program. Under the SECA Component, the Fund will provide small and emerging CDFIs with financial assistance and/or technical assistance.
On November 1, 1999, the Fund published in the Federal Register a revised interim rule (64 FR 59076) implementing the CDFI Program (the current rule). The deadline for the submission of comments was January 14, 2000.
II. Comments on the November 1, 1999 Interim Rule
By the close of the January 14, 2000 comment period, the Fund received comments on the November 1, 1999 interim rule from six organizations. The following includes a discussion of the significant and most heavily commented upon issues:
Financing Entity Eligibility Test
Section 1805.201(b)(2) of the current rule provides that in order for an organization to qualify as a CDFI, such organization 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. Three commenters were concerned that requiring an organization's predominant business activity to be a combination of Financial Products and Development Services would have a dilutive effect on the Financing entity eligibility test. The commenters expressed concern that the Fund's consideration of the combination of Development Services and Financial Products could result in the certification of organizations whose predominant business activity is the provision of technical assistance. One commenter also advised that the current rule is in direct violation of the Act.
The Fund shares the view that a CDFI should not pass the Financing entity eligibility test if its predominant business activity is the provision of technical assistance. However, the Fund disagrees that the current rule would have a dilutive effect that could result in the certification of organizations whose predominant business activity is the provision of technical assistance. Specifically, § 1805.104(q) of the current rule defines Development Services as activities that are integral to the provision of Financial Products in that such services must prepare or assist an organization's borrowers or investees to utilize its Financial Products. As a result, in order for an organization that provides Development Services to meet the Financing entity eligibility test, it must provide such services in conjunction with, and in support of, its Financial Products. The current rule also is wholly consistent with the Act, which expressly provides that a CDFI “means a person (other than an individual) that—provides development services in conjunction with equity investments or loans, directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate * * *” See 12 U.S.C. 4702(5)(A)(iii). Congress thus clearly contemplated that the Fund combine Financial Products and Development Services without any fixed percentage threshold. As a result, § 1805.201(b)(2) remains substantively unchanged.
Four commenters also suggested that the Fund include the provision of Financial Services in determining whether an organization meets the Financing entity eligibility test. The commenters noted that for community development credit unions and community development banks, the provision of Financial Services is the primary way in which they serve their Target Markets. The Fund agrees with the commenters' point that provision of Financial Services should be considered when evaluating whether a regulated financial institution meets the Financing entity eligibility test, and believes that the current rule effectively accomplishes the commenters' objectives. Specifically, §§ 1805.201(b)(2)(i)(B) and (C) provide, respectively, that community development credit unions and community development banks automatically meet the Financing entity eligibility test by virtue of their status as insured depository institutions and insured credit unions.
Section 1805.201(b)(2)(ii)(C) requires organizations to submit a copy of their most recent year-end financial statements documenting their assets dedicated to Financial Products, Development Services and/or other similar financing. One commenter suggested that the Fund require three years of year-end financial statements instead of one. In an effort to minimize reporting burdens on Applicants, the Fund intends to continue to request only the most recent year-end financial statements for the purpose of reviewing an Applicant's assets dedicated to Financial Products, Development Services, and/or other similar financing activities. Thus, § 1805.201(b)(2)(ii)(C) remains substantively unchanged. However, in the preamble to the current rule, the Fund expressly reserved its right, consistent with § 1805.600 of the current rule, to require the submission of additional years of year-end financial statements if the Fund deems it appropriate.
Section 1805.201(b)(2)(ii)(C) also requires organizations to submit information on the percentage of staff time dedicated to the provision of Financial Products, Development Services, and/or other similar financing. One commenter suggested that this level of information was insufficient for purposes of accurately reflecting the qualifications of an organization as a CDFI. The commenter suggested that the Fund consider additional factors such as the business plan and alternative sources of committed capital/investment. While the Fund believes that considering the additional factors suggested by the commenter is appropriate as a part of the qualitative evaluation of an organization's application for assistance pursuant to § 1805.701(b), the Fund believes that such factors need not be considered for purposes of determining whether an organization meets the Financing entity eligibility test. As a result, § 1805.201(b)(2)(ii)(C) remains substantively unchanged.
Primary Mission Eligibility Test
Section 1805.201(b)(1) provides that in order for an organization to qualify as a CDFI, such organization's and its Affiliates' primary mission, when viewed collectively (as a whole), must be purposefully directed toward improving the social and/or economic conditions of underserved people and/or residents of distressed communities. Three commenters expressed concern that an organization that does not individually meet the Primary Mission eligibility test could meet such test based on it being an Affiliate of a larger organization, which individually meets such test. The commenters were concerned that if the Primary Mission eligibility test were to be applied this way, the end result would be a dilution of such test. The Fund recognizes the merits of these comments, and has revised the regulation accordingly. Section 1805.201(b)(1) of the revised interim rule provides that the Fund will consider whether the activities of the Applicant individually and the Applicant and its Affiliates, when viewed collectively (as a whole), 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 distressed communities (which may include Investment Areas).
Definition of Equity Investment
Section 1805.104(r) of the current rule provides that Equity Investments 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, or any other investment deemed to be an Equity Investment by the Fund. In the preamble to the current rule, the Fund stated that it considers Equity Investments also to include secondary capital accounts established with low-income designated credit unions. One commenter supported the inclusion of secondary capital accounts within the meaning of Equity Investment, and encouraged the Fund to consider alternative sources of capital for credit unions as falling within the meaning of Equity Investment. The Fund agrees with the comment and will consider, on a case-by-case basis, under § 1805.104(q), whether other sources of capital for credit unions qualify as Equity Investments.
Investment Area Eligibility
Section 1805.201(b)(3)(ii)(A)(2) of the current rule provides that in order for a geographic area to qualify as an Investment Area, generally it must have, among other things, significant unmet needs for loans or Equity Investments. Two commenters suggested that in addition to loans or Equity Investments, the Fund also should consider whether a geographic area has significant unmet needs for Financial Services. The Fund shares the view that access to Financial Services is critical to underserved communities and, in addition, believes that a lack of access to Financial Services is indicative of, or a proxy for, a lack of access to loans and Equity Investments. Moreover, the Fund believes that utilizing a lack of adequate access to Financial Services, as a proxy for lack of adequate access to loans or Equity Investments is consistent with Congressional intent. Specifically, the Conference Report underlying the Act expressly provides that the Fund is required to develop objective criteria for determining unmet needs for loans and Equity Investments. Thus, § 1805.201(b)(3)(ii)(A)(2) has been modified in the manner suggested by the two commenters.
Targeted Population Eligibility
Section 1805.201(b)(3)(iii) of the current rule provides that a Targeted Population shall mean individuals, or an identificable group of individuals, who are Low-Income people or lack adequate access to loans or Equity Investments in an organization's service area. One commenter suggested that a Targeted Population also should include individuals or an identifiable group of individuals who lack adequate access to Financial Services. The Fund shares the commenter's view that access to Financial Services is critical to underserved populations, and, in addition, believes that a lack of access to Financial Services is indicative of, or a proxy for, a lcak of access to loans and Equity Investments. Moreover, the Fund believes that utilizing a lack of adequate access to Financial Services, as a proxy for lack of access to loans or Equity Investments is consistent with Congressional intent. Specifically, the Conference Report underlying the Act expressly provides that in determining which groups or individuals qualify as a Targeted Population, the Fund should focus on Low-Income persons and those who are otherwise underserved by financial institutions (including those historically denied access to Financial Services based on their race, gender, ethnicity or national origin). Thus, § 1805.201(b)(3)(iii) has been modified in the manner suggested by the commenter.
Target Market Eligibility Test
Section 1805.201(b)(3) of the current rule provides that in order for an organization to meet the Target Market eligibility test, such organization must demonstrate that its total activities are principally directed to serving an Investment Area(s), Targeted Population(s) or both. One commenter suggested that the Fund deem insured credit unions that have received a low-income designation from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to have met the Target Market eligibility test. While the Fund utilizes NCUA's low-income designation as an indicator that such designated credit unions have a primary mission of community development, the Fund must reject this comment because NCUA's low-income designation criteria are not wholly consistent with the Target Market criteria of the Fund. For example, in order to receive a low-income designation from NCUA, the credit union must predominantly serve (i.e., more than 50 percent) low-income members; whereas, in order for the same credit union to meet the Fund's Target Market eligibility test, 60 percent of the credit union's activities must be directed to serving low-income members. In addition, NCUA includes in its definition of low-income credit union members, individuals who are full or part-time students. Accordingly, if an insured credit union's membership predominantly comprises full or part-time students, such insured credit union would be eligible for designation by NCUA as a low-income credit union. The Fund does not deem full or part-time students, or any other group, to be low-income without regard to actual incomes. As a result, § 1805.201(b)(3) of the current rule remains substantively unchanged.
Eligibility of Credit Unions as CDFIs
Section 1805.201(b)(6) of the current rule provides that in order for an organization to be certified as a CDFI, the organization shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the United States. One commenter sought clarification on whether insured credit unions could be certified as CDFIs in light of certain case law holding that insured credit unions are instrumentalities of the United States. The Fund's review of such case law indicates that it does not address whether insured credit unions are Federal instrumentalities under the Act and, additionally, the Fund believes that such cases are of limited relevance in light of the plain language of the Act. Specifically, several sections of the Act expressly provide that insured credit unions can be CDFIs, and as such can receive assistance from the Fund. For example, the Act defines the term “insured community development financial institution” as including insured credit unions. See 12 U.S.C. 4702(13). The Act also expressly provides that the Fund may provide financial assistance to credit unions in the form of “credit union shares.” See 12 U.S.C. 4707(a)(1)(A). Accordingly, the Fund believes that there is no case law barring insured credit unions from qualifying as CDFIs under the Act.
Application Format
In the preamble to the current rule, the Fund advised that it was deleting a provision from the regulations that allowed Applicants to present their applications for assistance in an order and format that they believed to be the most appropriate. The Fund advised that affording applicants such flexibility made it considerably more difficult for the Fund to evaluate applications. One commenter disagreed with this deletion claiming that it requires applicants to rework business plans to conform to a prescribed format. Another commenter supported a more structured application format, provided that the Fund set forth the specific requirements in the application and provide applicants the flexibility to present their own circumstances within that format. The Fund agrees with the latter comment, and believes that the current application format allows applicants sufficient flexibility to present their best case for funding. Moreover, the Fund has found that a prescribed format is necessary for a fair and orderly application evaluation process.
Annual Report Due Date
Section 1805.803(e)(3) of the current rule provides that an awardee shall submit an annual report to the Fund within 60 days after the end of its fiscal year, or by such alternative deadline as may be agreed to by the awardee and the Fund. One commenter suggested that, in order to ensure that any references to an awardee's financial condition be accurately reflected, this time frame should be increased to 120 days to conform to the general deadline set forth in § 1805.803(e)(4) for submission of audited financial statements. The Fund is committed to ensuring that awardees have sufficient time to meet Fund reporting requirements. For example, § 1805.803(e)(3) of the current rule allows the Fund and awardees to agree to a deadline greater than 60 days for the submission of an annual report. For this reason and because the annual report does not require the submission of information on the financial condition of an awardee, § 1805.803(e) remains substantively unchanged.
III. Summary of Additional Change
Target Market Eligibility Test—Targeted Population
Section 1805.201(b)(3)(iii) of the current rule provides that an organization may meet the Target Market eligibility test by serving a Targeted Population. A Targeted Population, under the current rule, means individuals, or an identifiable group of individuals, who are either Low-Income persons or lack adequate access to loans or Equity Investments. Section 1805.201(b)(3)(iii)(B)(2) of the current rule provides that in order for an Applicant to demonstrate that it serves a Targeted Population comprising individuals who lack adequate access to loans or Equity Investments, the Applicant must provide: (1) A description of the service area from which the Targeted Population is drawn; (2) studies, analyses or other information demonstrating that the identifiable group of individuals, either on a national basis or on a localized basis in the Applicant's service area, lacks adequate access to loans or Equity Investments; and (3) studies, analyses or other information demonstrating that the Applicant's clients who comprise the identifiable group of individuals, lack adequate access to loans or Equity Investments. The Fund believes that this three-part test imposes undue burdens on Applicants. Specifically, it would be unduly burdensome to require Applicants to submit studies demonstrating that an identifiable group of individuals, on a national basis or within the Applicant's service area, has traditionally been denied access to loans or Equity Investments, and then demonstrate that the Applicant's clients who comprise the identifiable group of individuals lack adequate access to loans or Equity Investments. As a result, the Fund is modifying what an Applicant must provide. In lieu of studies, an Applicant must provide, under § 1805.201(b)(3)(iii) of the revised interim rule, a brief analytical narrative with information demonstrating that the members of the identifiable group in the Applicant's service area lack adequate access to loans, Equity Investments, or Financial Services. An Applicant may not have to provide the aforementioned analytical narrative if its Targeted Population is one listed by the Fund in the applicable NOFA and/or application for certification as one with respect to which the Fund believes that credible evidence exists demonstrating that such Targeted Population lacks adequate access to loans, Equity Investments or Financial Services in the Applicant's service area.
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 Number 1505-0154. 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.
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.
- 1805.601
- Application contents. 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
- Assistance Agreement; sanctions.
- 1805.802
- Disbursement of funds.
- 1805.803
- Data collection and reporting.
- 1805.804
- Information.
- 1805.805
- Compliance with government requirements.
- 1805.806
- Conflict of interest requirements.
- 1805.807
- Lobbying restrictions.
- 1805.808 Criminal provisions.
- 1805.809
- Fund deemed not to control.
- 1805.810
- Limitation on liability.
- 1805.811
- Fraud, waste and abuse.
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4703, 4703 note, 4717; and 31 U.S.C. 321.
Subpart A—General Provisions
The purpose of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program is to facilitate the creation of a national network of financial institutions that is dedicated to community development.
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 competitive 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.
(a) Bank Enterprise Award Program. (1) No Community Development Financial Institution may receive a Bank Enterprise Award under the Bank Enterprise Award 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; 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 Bank Enterprise Award 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.
No Awardee (or its Community Partner) shall be deemed to be an agency, department, or instrumentality of the United States.
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 assistance 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 also includes the National Credit Union Administration with respect to Insured Credit Unions;
(e) Assistance Agreement means a formal agreement between the Fund and an Awardee which specifies the terms and conditions of assistance under this part;
(f) Awardee means an Applicant selected by the Fund to receive assistance pursuant to this part;
(g) Community Development Financial Institution (or CDFI) means an entity currently meeting the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200;
(h) 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;
(i) 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;
(j) Community Facility means a facility where health care, childcare, educational, cultural, or social services are provided;
(k) 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;
(l) 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;
(m) 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 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.);
(n) Community Partnership means an agreement between an Applicant and a Community Partner to collaboratively provide loans, Equity Investments, or Development Services to an Investment Area(s) or a Targeted Population(s);
(o) Comprehensive Business Plan means a document covering not less than the next five years which meets the requirements described under § 1805.601(d);
(p) 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));
(q) Development Services means activities that promote community development and are integral to the Applicant's provision of Financial Products. Such services shall prepare or assist current or potential borrowers or investees to utilize the Financial Products 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;
(r) Equity Investment means an investment made by an Applicant which, in the judgment of the Fund, directly 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 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), or any other investment deemed to be an Equity Investment by the Fund;
(s) Financial Products means loans, Equity Investments and, in the case of CDFI Intermediaries, grants to CDFIs and/or emerging CDFIs and deposits in insured credit union CDFIs and/or emerging insured credit union CDFIs;
(t) Financial Services means checking, savings accounts, check cashing, money orders, certified checks, automated teller machines, deposit taking, and safe deposit box services;
(u) Fund means the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund established under section 104(a) (12 U.S.C. 4703(a)) of the Act;
(v) 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;
(w) 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;
(x) 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;
(y) Insured CDFI means a CDFI that is an Insured Depository Institution or an Insured Credit Union;
(z) Insured Credit Union means any credit union, the member accounts of which are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund;
(aa) Insured Depository Institution means any bank or thrift, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
(bb) Investment Area means a geographic area meeting the requirements of § 1805.201(b)(3);
(cc) 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;
(dd) 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;
(ee) 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, or Insured Credit Union;
(ff) 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 Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands;
(gg) 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);
(hh) Targeted Population means individuals or an identifiable group meeting the requirements of § 1805.201(b)(3); and
(ii) Target Market means an Investment Area(s) and/or a Targeted Population(s).
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.
The collection of information requirements in this part have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 1505-0154.
Subpart B—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)(3) 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 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 24 months from September 30 of the calendar year in which the applicable application deadline falls or such other period as may be set forth in an applicable NOFA. The Fund will not, however, disburse any financial assistance to such an entity before it meets the requirements described in this section.
(3) The Fund shall require an entity to meet any additional eligibility requirements that the Fund deems appropriate.
(4) 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.
(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 paragraph (b) of this section. 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)(3) (if applicable) are no longer met.
(b) Eligibility verification. An Applicant shall provide information necessary to establish that it is, or will be, a CDFI. An Applicant shall demonstrate whether it meets the eligibility requirements described in this paragraph (b) and § 1805.200 by providing the information requested in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(7) 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 individually and the Applicant and its Affiliates, when viewed collectively (as a whole), 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 distressed communities (which may include Investment Areas).
(2) Financing entity. (i) 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):
(A) Depository Institution Holding Company;
(B) Insured Depository Institution or Insured Credit Union; or
(C) 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.
(ii) An Applicant described under:
(A) Paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section shall submit a copy of its organizing documents that indicate that it is a Depository Institution Holding Company;
(B) Paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of this section shall submit a copy of its current certificate of insurance issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration; and
(C) Paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section shall submit a copy of its most recent year-end financial statements (and any notes or other supplemental information to its financial statements) documenting its assets dedicated to Financial Products, Development Services and/or other similar financing, and an explanation of how such assets support these activities. An Applicant also shall provide qualitative and quantitative information on the percentage of Applicant staff time dedicated to the provision of Financial Products, Development Services, and/or other similar financing.
(3) Target Market—(i) General. An Applicant shall provide a description of one or more Investment Areas and/or Targeted Populations that it serves, and shall demonstrate that its total activities are principally directed to serving the Investment Areas, Targeted Populations, or both. 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 Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, 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 or is located in 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)(3)(ii)(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) The percentage of occupied distressed housing (as indicated by lack of complete plumbing and occupancy of more than one person per room) is at least 20 percent; or
(5) In areas located outside of a Metropolitan Area:
(i) The county population loss in the period between the most recent decennial census and the previous decennial census is at least 10 percent; or
(ii) The county net migration loss (outmigration minus immigration) over the five year period preceding the most recent decennial census is at least 5 percent.
(E) Unmet needs. An Investment Area will be deemed to have significant unmet needs for loans or Equity Investments if studies or other analyses provided by the Applicant adequately demonstrate a pattern of unmet needs for loans, Equity Investments, 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. To demonstrate that it is serving an Investment Area, an Applicant shall submit:
(1) A completed Investment Area Designation worksheet referenced in the application packet;
(2) A map of the designated area(s); and
(3) Studies or other analyses as described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(E) of this section.
(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 loans, Equity Investments, 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 Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, 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. To demonstrate that it is serving a Targeted Population, an Applicant shall submit:
(1) In the case of a Low-Income Targeted Population, a description of the service area from which the Low-Income Targeted Population is drawn (which could be, for example, a local, regional or national service area); or
(2) In the case of a Targeted Population defined other than on the basis of Low-Income—
(i) A description of the service area from which the Targeted Population is drawn; and
(ii) A brief analytical narrative with information demonstrating that the identifiable group of individuals in the Applicant's service area, lacks adequate access to loans, Equity Investments, or Financial Services.
(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. An Applicant shall submit a description of the Development Services to be offered, the expected provider of such services, and information on the persons expected to use such services.
(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. An Applicant shall describe how it has and will maintain accountability to the residents of the Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) it serves.
(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. An Applicant shall submit copies of its articles of incorporation (or comparable organizing documents), charter, bylaws, or other legal documentation or opinions sufficient to verify that it is not a government entity.
(7) Ownership. An Applicant shall submit information indicating the portion of shares of all classes of voting stock that are held by each Insured Depository Institution or Depository Institution Holding Company investor (if any).
Subpart C—Use of Funds/Eligible Activities
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.
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:
(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.
(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.
(a) General. 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 § 1805.601.
(d) Applicants for technical assistance pursuant to this part will be evaluated pursuant to the competitive review criteria in subpart G of this part, except as otherwise may be provided in the applicable NOFA. In addition, the requirements for matching funds are not applicable to technical assistance requests.
Subpart D—Investment Instruments
The Fund's primary objective in awarding financial assistance is to enhance the stability, performance and capacity of an Awardee. 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.
(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) Capital 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. Deposits in an Insured CDFI shall not be subject to any requirement for collateral or security.
(a) General. 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) Additional amounts. 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.
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
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.
(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.
(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.
Applicants shall satisfy matching funds requirements within the period set forth in the applicable NOFA.
(a) An Applicant that proposes to meet all or a portion of its matching funds requirements as set forth in this part by committing available earnings retained from its operations pursuant to § 1805.501(c) shall be subject to the restrictions described in this section.
(b)(1) In the case of a for-profit Applicant, retained earnings that may be used for matching funds purposes shall consist of:
(i) The increase in retained earnings (excluding the after-tax value to an Applicant of any grants and other donated assets) that has occurred over the Applicant's most recent fiscal year (e.g., retained earnings at the end of fiscal year 1999 less retained earnings at the end of fiscal year 1998); or
(ii) The annual average of such increases that have occurred over the Applicant's three most recent fiscal years.
(2) Such retained earnings may be used to match a request for an equity investment. The terms and conditions of financial assistance will be determined by the Fund.
(c)(1) In the case of a non-profit Applicant (other than a Credit Union), retained earnings that may be used for matching funds purposes shall consist of:
(i) The increase in an Applicant's net assets (excluding the amount of any grants and value of other donated assets) that has occurred over the Applicant's most recent fiscal year; or
(ii) The annual average of such increases that has occurred over the Applicant's three most recent fiscal years.
(2) Such retained earnings may be used to match a request for a capital grant. The terms and conditions of financial assistance will be determined by the Fund.
(d)(1) In the case of an insured credit union Applicant, retained earnings that may be used for matching funds purposes shall consist of:
(i) The increase in retained earnings that have 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 conditions described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section are satisfied.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph (d)(4) of this section, retained earnings shall be comprised of “Regular Reserves”, “Other Reserves” (excluding reserves specifically dedicated for losses), and “Undivided Earnings” as such terms are used in the National Credit Union Administration's accounting manual.
(3) Such retained earnings may be used to match a request for a capital grant. The terms and conditions of financial assistance will be determined by the Fund.
(4) If the option described in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section is used:
(i) The Assistance Agreement shall require that:
(A) An Awardee increase its member and/or non-member shares by an amount that is at least equal to four times the amount of retained earnings that is committed as matching funds; and
(B) Such increase be achieved within 24 months from September 30 of the calendar year in which the applicable application deadline falls;
(ii) The Applicant's Comprehensive Business Plan shall discuss its strategy for raising the required shares and the activities associated with such increased shares;
(iii) The level from which the increases in shares described in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section will be measured will be as of September 30 of the calendar year in which the applicable application deadline falls; and
(iv) Financial assistance shall be disbursed by the Fund only as the amount of increased shares described in paragraph (d)(4)(i)(A) of this section is achieved.
(5) The Fund will allow an Applicant to utilize the option described in paragraph (d)(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 increasing its shares to the specified amounts.
(e) 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.
Subpart F—Applications for Assistance
Each Applicant shall submit an application for financial or technical assistance under this part in accordance with the regulations in this subpart and the applicable NOFA published in the Federal Register. The NOFA will advise potential Applicants on how to obtain an application packet and will establish deadlines and other requirements. The NOFA 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.
An Applicant shall provide information necessary to establish that it is, or will be, a CDFI. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable NOFA, each application must contain the information specified in the application packet including the items specified in this section.
(a) Award request. An Applicant shall indicate:
(1) The dollar amount, form, rates, terms and conditions of financial assistance requested; and
(2) Any technical assistance needs for which it is requesting assistance.
(b) Previous Awardees. In the case of an Applicant that has previously received assistance under this part, the Applicant shall demonstrate that it:
(1) Has substantially met its performance goals and other requirements described in its previous Assistance Agreement(s); and
(2) Will expand its operations into a new Investment Area(s), serve a new Targeted Population(s), offer more products or services, or increase the volume of its activities.
(c) Time of operation. At the time of submission of an application, an Applicant that has been in operation for:
(1) Three years or more shall submit information on its activities (as described in § 1805.201 (b)(1) and (2) and paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(9)(v) of this section) and financial statements (as described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section) for the three most recent fiscal years;
(2) For more than one year, but less than three years, shall submit information on its activities (as described in § 1805.201 (b)(1) and (2) and paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(9)(vi) of this section) and financial statements (as described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section) for each full fiscal year since its inception; or
(3) For less than one year, shall submit information on its activities and financial statements as described in paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Comprehensive Business Plan. An Applicant shall submit a five-year Comprehensive Business Plan that addresses the items described in this paragraph (d). The Comprehensive Business Plan shall demonstrate that the Applicant shall have the capacity to operate as a CDFI upon receiving financial assistance from the Fund pursuant to this part.
(1) Executive summary. The executive summary shall include a description of the institution, products and services, markets served or to be served, accomplishments to date and key points of the Applicant's five year strategy, and other pertinent information.
(2) Community development track record. The Applicant shall describe its community development impact over the past three years, or for its period of operation if less than three years. In addition, an Applicant with a prior history of serving Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) shall describe its activities, operations and community benefits created for residents of the Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s) for such periods as described in paragraph (c) of this section.
(3) Operational capacity and risk mitigation strategies. An Applicant shall submit information on its policies and procedures for underwriting and approving loans and investments, monitoring its portfolio and internal controls and operations. An Applicant shall also submit a copy of its conflict of interest policies that are consistent with the requirements of § 1805.806.
(4) Financial track record and strength. An Applicant shall submit historic financial statements for such periods as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. An Applicant shall submit:
(i) Audited financial statements;
(ii) Financial statements that have been reviewed by a certified public accountant; or
(iii) Financial statements that have been reviewed by the Applicant's Appropriate Federal Banking Agency. Such statements should include balance sheets or statements of financial position, income and expense statements or statements of activities, and cash flow statements. The Applicant shall also provide information necessary to assess trends in financial and operating performance.
(5) Capacity, skills and experience of the management team. An Applicant shall provide information on the background and capacity of its management team, including key personnel and governing board members. The Applicant shall also provide information on any training or technical assistance needed to enhance the capacity of the organization to successfully carry out its Comprehensive Business Plan.
(6) Market analysis. An Applicant shall provide an analysis of its Target Market, including a description of the Target Market, and the extent of economic distress, an analysis of the needs of the Target Market for Financial Products, Financial Services and Development Services, and an analysis of the extent of demand within such Target Market for the Applicant's products and services. The Applicant also shall provide an assessment of any factors or trends that may affect the Applicant's ability to deliver its products and services within its Target Market.
(7) Program design and implementation plan. An Applicant shall:
(i) Describe the products and services it proposes to provide and analyze the competitiveness of such products and services in the Target Market;
(ii) Describe its strategy for delivering its products and services to its Target Market;
(iii) Describe how its proposed activities are consistent with existing economic, community and housing development plans adopted for an Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s);
(iv) Describe its plan to coordinate use of assistance from the Fund with existing government assistance programs and private sector resources;
(v) Describe how it will coordinate with community organizations, financial institutions, and Community Partners (if applicable) which will provide Equity Investments, loans, secondary markets, or other services in the Target Market; and
(vi) Discuss the extent of community support (if any) within the Target Market for its activities.
(8) Financial projections and resources. An Applicant shall provide:
(i) Financial projections. (A) Projections for each of the next five years which include pro forma balance sheets or statements of financial position, income and expense statements or statements of activities, and a description of any assumptions that underlie its projections; and
(B) Information to demonstrate that it has a plan for achieving or maintaining sustainability within the five-year period;
(ii) Matching funds. (A) A detailed description of its plans for raising matching funds, including funds previously obtained or legally committed to match the amount of financial assistance requested from the Fund; and
(B) An indication of the extent to which such matching funds will be derived from private, nongovernment sources. Such description shall include the name of the source, total amount of such match, the date the matching funds were obtained or legally committed, if applicable, the extent to which, and for what purpose, such matching funds have been used to date, and terms and restrictions on use for each matching source, including any restriction that might reasonably be construed as a limitation on the ability of the Applicant to use the funds for matching purposes; and
(iii) Severe constraints waiver. If the Applicant is requesting a “severe constraints waiver” of any matching requirements, it shall submit the information requested in § 1805.502.
(9) Projected community impact. An Applicant shall provide:
(i) Estimates of the volume of new activity to be achieved within its Target Market assuming that assistance is provided by the Fund;
(ii) A description of the anticipated incremental increases in activity to be achieved with assistance provided by the Fund and matching funds within the Target Market;
(iii) An estimate of the benefits expected to be created within its Target Market over the next five years;
(iv) The extent to which the Applicant will concentrate its activities within its Target Market;
(v) A description of how the Applicant will measure the benefits created as a result of its activities within its Target Market; and
(vi) In the case of an Applicant with a prior history of serving a Target Market, an explanation of how the Applicant will expand its operations into a new Investment Area(s), serve a new Targeted Population(s), offer more products or services, or increase the volume of its activities.
(10) Risks and assumptions. An Applicant shall identify and discuss critical risks (including strategies to mitigate risk) and assumptions contained in its Comprehensive Business Plan, and any significant impediments to the Plan's implementation.
(11) Schedule. An Applicant shall provide a schedule indicating the timing of major events necessary to realize the objectives of its Comprehensive Business Plan.
(12) Community Partnership. In the case of an Applicant submitting an application with a Community Partner, the Applicant shall:
(i) Describe how the Applicant and the Community Partner will participate in carrying out the Community Partnership and how the partnership will enhance activities serving the Investment Area(s) or Targeted Population(s);
(ii) Demonstrate that the Community Partnership activities are consistent with the Comprehensive Business Plan;
(iii) Provide information necessary to evaluate such an application as described under § 1805.701(b)(6);
(iv) Include a copy of any written agreement between the Applicant and the Community Partner related to the Community Partnership; and
(v) Provide information to demonstrate that the Applicant meets the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200 and satisfies the selection criteria described in subpart G of this part. (A Community Partner shall not be required to meet the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200.)
(13) Effective use of Fund resources. An Applicant shall describe 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.
(e) Community ownership and governance. An Applicant shall provide information to demonstrate the extent to which the Applicant is, or will be, Community-Owned or Community-Governed.
(f) Environmental information. The Applicant shall provide sufficient information regarding the potential environmental impact of its proposed activities in order for the Fund to complete its environmental review requirements pursuant to part 1815 of this chapter.
(g) Applicant certification. The Applicant and Community Partner (if applicable) shall certify that:
(1) It possesses the legal authority to apply for assistance from the Fund;
(2) The application has been duly authorized by its governing body and duly executed;
(3) It will not use any Fund resources for lobbying activities as set forth in § 1805.807; and
(4) It will comply with all relevant provisions of this chapter and all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, guidelines, and requirements.
Subpart G—Evaluation and Selection of Applications
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 competitive basis 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; and
(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.
(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) Solid 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) Quality 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;
(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. 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, 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;
(10) The Fund may consider any other factors, as it deems appropriate, in reviewing an application.
(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) 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 NOFA.
Subpart H—Terms and Conditions of Assistance
(a) Regulated institutions. Nothing in this part, or in an Assistance Agreement, shall affect any authority of an Appropriate Federal Banking 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.
(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 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 Awardees application. Performance goals for Insured CDFIs shall be determined in consultation with the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency. Such goals shall be incorporated in, and enforced under, the Awardee's Assistance Agreement.
(c) The Assistance Agreement shall provide that, in the event of fraud, mismanagement, noncompliance with 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 any other action as permitted by the terms of the Assistance Agreement.
(d) In the case of an Insured Depository Institution, 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 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.
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 firm commitments for the matching funds required for such assistance. At a minimum, a firm commitment must consist of a binding 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.
(a) Data—general. An Awardee (and a Community Partner, if appropriate) shall maintain such records as may be prescribed by the Fund which 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) Review. (1) At least annually, the Fund will review the progress of an Awardee (and a Community Partner, if appropriate) in implementing its Comprehensive Business Plan and satisfying the terms and conditions of its Assistance Agreement.
(2) An Awardee shall submit within 60 days after the end of each semi-annual period, or within some other period as may be agreed to in the Assistance Agreement, internal financial statements covering the semi-annual reporting period (i.e., two periods per year) and information on its compliance with its financial soundness covenants.
(3) An Awardee shall submit a report within 60 days after the end of its fiscal year, or by such alternative deadline as may be agreed to in the Assistance Agreement containing, unless otherwise determined by mutual agreement between the Awardee and the Fund, the following:
(i) A narrative description of an Awardee's activities in support of its Comprehensive Business Plan;
(ii) Qualitative and quantitative information on an Awardee's compliance with its performance goals and (if appropriate) an analysis of factors contributing to any failure to meet such goals;
(iii) Information describing the manner in which Fund assistance and any corresponding matching funds were used. The Fund will use such information to verify that assistance was used in a manner consistent with the Assistance Agreement; and certification that an Awardee continues to meet the eligibility requirements described in § 1805.200.
(4) An Awardee shall submit within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year, or within some other period as may be agreed to in the Assistance Agreement, fiscal year end statements of financial condition audited by an independent certified public accountant. The audit shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted Government Auditing Standards set forth in the General Accounting Offices Government Auditing Standards (1994 Revision) issued by the Comptroller General and OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations), as applicable.
(5) An Awardee shall submit a report within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year, or by such alternative deadline as may be agreed to in the Assistance Agreement containing, unless otherwise determined by mutual agreement between the Awardee and the Fund, the following information:
(i) The Awardee's customer profile;
(ii) Awardee activities including Financial Products and Development Services;
(iii) Awardee portfolio quality;
(iv) The Awardee's financial condition; and
(v) The Awardee's community development impact.
(6) The Fund shall make reports described in paragraph (e)(2) and (e)(3) of 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. (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 the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency under this section to the extent practicable to eliminate duplicative requests for information and reports from, and record keeping by, an Insured CDFI or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) of this section, the Fund may require an Insured CDFI or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency to provide information with respect to the institutions implementation of its Comprehensive Business Plan or compliance with the terms of its Assistance Agreement, after providing notice to the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.
(5) Nothing in this part shall be construed to permit the Fund to require an Insured CDFI or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency to obtain, maintain, or furnish an examination report of any Appropriate Federal Banking 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 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, 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.
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 the Insured CDFIs or other institution that is examined by or subject to the reporting requirements of an Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.
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.
(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 or a Depository Institution Holding Company shall comply with the restrictions on Insider activities and any comparable restrictions established by its Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.
(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.
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.
The criminal provisions of 18 U.S.C. 657 regarding embezzlement or misappropriation of funds is applicable to all Awardees and Insiders.
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.
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.
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: August 7, 2000.
Maurice A. Jones,
Deputy Director for Policy and Programs, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
[FR Doc. 00-20267 Filed 8-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-70-P