504 and 7(a) Loan Programs Updates, 15641-15651 [2014-06237]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
12 CFR Part 11
15641
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Confidential business information,
National banks, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
c. Remove the web address
‘‘www.occ.treas.gov’’ and add
‘‘www.occ.gov’’ in its place in footnote
1 in § 5.34(e)(5)(v)(R).
12 CFR Part 16
PART 7 [AMENDED]
504 and 7(a) Loan Programs Updates
National banks, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
■
3. Part 7 is amended by removing the
phrase ‘‘250 E Street SW.,’’ and adding
‘‘400 7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in
footnote 2 in § 7.2000(c).
AGENCY:
■
12 CFR Part 19
Administrative practice and
procedure, Crime, Equal access to
justice, Investigations, National banks,
Penalties, Securities.
Community development, Credit,
Investments, Low and moderate income
housing, National banks, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Rural
areas, Small businesses.
4. Part 10 is amended by removing the
phrase ‘‘250 E Street SW.,’’ and adding
‘‘400 7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in
§ 10.2(c).
PART 11 [AMENDED]
Mortgages, National banks, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Banks, Banking, Consumer protection,
National banks, Privacy, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, and under the authority of 12
U.S.C. 93a, chapter I of title 12 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended
as follows:
PART 4 [AMENDED]
1. Part 4 is amended as follows:
a. Remove the phrase ‘‘250 E Street,
SW.,’’ wherever it appears and add ‘‘400
7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in §§ 4.4,
4.14(c), and 4.17(c);
■ b. Remove the phrase ‘‘250 E Street,
SW.,’’ and add ‘‘400 7th Street, SW.,’’ in
its place in §§ 4.15(b)(1), 4.15(e)(2), and
4.34(a);
■ c. Remove the web address ‘‘https://
appsec.occ.gov/publicaccesslink/
palMain.aspx’’ and add the web address
‘‘https://foia-pal.occ.gov/palMain.aspx’’
in its place in §§ 4.15(b)(1), 4.18(a)(1),
and 4.18(b); and
■ d. Remove the phrase ‘‘OCC
Communications Division’’ and add in
its place ‘‘Disclosure Services,
Communications Division’’ in § 4.15(g).
■
■
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PART 5 [AMENDED]
2. Part 5 is amended as follows:
a. Remove the phrase ‘‘250 E Street
SW., Washington, DC 20219–0001’’ and
add ‘‘400 7th Street SW., Washington,
DC 20219’’ in its place in § 5.2(c);
■ b. Remove the web address ‘‘https://
www.occ.treas.gov’’ and add
‘‘www.occ.gov’’ in its place in § 5.2(c);
and
■
■
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15:59 Mar 20, 2014
■
5. Part 11 is amended by removing the
phrase ‘‘250 E Street SW.,’’ and adding
‘‘400 7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in
§ 11.3(a)(1).
■
PART 16 [AMENDED]
12 CFR Part 40
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RIN 3245–AG04
U.S. Small Business
Administration.
ACTION: Final rule.
This rule finalizes the
proposed rule that the U.S. Small
Business Administration (‘‘SBA’’)
issued to improve access to its two
flagship business lending programs: the
504 Loan Program and the 7(a) Loan
Program. This rule will enhance job
creation through increasing eligibility
for loans under SBA’s business loan
programs and by modifying certain
program participant requirements
applicable to the 504 Loan Program. In
addition, SBA is revising Certified
Development Company (CDC)
operations requirements to clarify
certain existing regulations. SBA has
decided to further study the issue of
how to redefine affiliation for the
business loan programs and is not
including any changes to the affiliation
standards in this final rule.
DATES: This rule is effective April 21,
2014, except for the amendment to 13
CFR 120.823, which is effective April
21, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Rusche, Director, of Financial
Assistance; ATTN: Linda Reilly, Chief,
504 Program Branch, Office of Financial
Assistance, Small Business
Administration, 409 3rd Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20416; telephone 202–
205–9949.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
PART 10 [AMENDED]
12 CFR Part 24
12 CFR Part 34
13 CFR Part 120
6. Part 16 is amended by removing the
phrase ‘‘250 E Street SW.,’’ and adding
‘‘400 7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in
§ 16.17(a).
■
PART 19 [AMENDED]
7. Part 19 is amended by removing the
phrase ‘‘250 E Street SW.,’’ and adding
‘‘400 7th Street SW.,’’ in its place in
§ 19.100.
■
PART 24 [AMENDED]
8. Part 24 is amended by removing the
web address ‘‘https://www.occ.treas.gov’’
and adding ‘‘www.occ.gov’’ in its place
in § 24.5(a)(2) and (b)(1).
■
PART 34—REAL ESTATE LENDING
AND APPRAISALS
9. Revise the authority citation for part
34 to read as follows:
■
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1 et seq., 25b, 29, 93a,
371, 1465, 1701j–3, 1828(o), and
5412(b)(2)(B).
Subpart F [Removed]
10. Remove subpart F, consisting of
§§ 34.101 through Appendix A to
Subpart F of Part 34.
■
PART 40 [REMOVED]
■
11. Remove part 40.
Dated: March 10, 2014.
Thomas J. Curry,
Comptroller of the Currency.
[FR Doc. 2014–05826 Filed 3–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–01–P
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I. Background
The 504 Loan Program and 7(a) Loan
Program are SBA’s two primary
business loan programs authorized
under the Small Business Investment
Act of 1958 and the Small Business Act,
respectively. On February 25, 2013, SBA
published a proposed rule with request
for comments in the Federal Register to
implement several changes intended to
reinvigorate the business loan programs
by eliminating unnecessary compliance
burdens and loan eligibility restrictions.
78 FR 12633. The major changes
proposed by SBA related to affiliation
principles, the personal resources test,
the 9-month rule for the 504 Loan
Program, and operational and
organizational requirements for
Certified Development Companies
(‘‘CDCs’’). The comment period was
open until April 26, 2013. SBA received
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99 written comments during the
comment period. These comments were
received from 62 separate entities or
individuals, including 32 CDCs, 16
financial institutions, 11 trade
associations, one business, one United
States Senator, and one individual. (The
number of separate commenters does
not total 99 because, in many cases,
SBA received more than one submission
from representatives of the same entity).
The comments are summarized and
addressed below.
II. Summary of Comments Received
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A. Affiliation as Applied to the Business
Loan Programs—Section 121.302
SBA received 56 comments related to
the proposed affiliation standards for
small businesses. SBA received many
comments that were generally
supportive of the proposed standards
and also received several comments that
opposed or suggested modifications to
certain provisions. Several commenters
opposed the ‘‘totality of the
circumstances’’ standard set forth in
proposed section 121.302(a). Among the
comments were that this standard
would leave too much gray area and
might not be consistently applied, and
that it would be preferable to have a
black and white test; that this standard
is vague and open-ended; and that it
would subject lender decisions to more
scrutiny and second-guessing than
currently occurs. In addition, many
commenters expressed concern that the
proposed six-page Applicant Affidavit
on Affiliation was far too complicated
for the typical applicant to complete
without the extensive assistance of an
attorney, a certified public accountant,
and/or the CDC. Some expressed
concern that the proposed Affidavit
would likely add to the applicant’s cost
and would increase the time needed to
prepare applications, and would not,
contrary to SBA’s intention, result in
streamlining the process and reducing
costs. Another commenter stated that
the CDC would not be able to rely
exclusively on the Affidavit, and would
still be required by prudent lending to
evaluate the validity of the Affidavit by
comparing it to the applicant’s financial
and organizational documents. In light
of the comments, and upon further
consideration, SBA has decided to
further study the issue of redefining
affiliation for the business loan
programs and is not finalizing any
changes to the affiliation standards at
this time.
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B. Elimination of Personal Resources
Test in Business Loan Programs—
Section 120.102
SBA proposed to eliminate section
120.102, commonly known as ‘‘the
personal resources test.’’ Commenters
expressed overwhelming support for the
elimination of this regulation, which
requires certain owners of a Borrower to
inject personal liquid assets into the
business to reduce the amount of SBA
guaranteed funds that would otherwise
be needed. Those opposed to
eliminating the regulation were
concerned that it would lead to
increased scrutiny by SBA of lenders’
determinations that credit was ‘‘not
available elsewhere’’, which is a
requirement of Section 120.101. While
there may be some connection between
Section 120.101 and 120.102, the
findings for each are distinct. The
present regulation at Section 120.102
concerns the effect of personal resources
available to the applicant, while the
regulation at Section 120.101 addresses
the availability of financing from nonfederal sources. Others opposed felt that
more Borrowers with significant assets
would receive loans and that personal
liquid assets would not be required to
be converted to collateral for the loan,
and that this practice would not be
consistent with prudent lending.
Although SBA will no longer require
that the personal resources of owners be
used to reduce the SBA funded portion
of the total financing package, a lender
that believes that prudent lending
requires that assets either be injected or
pledged as collateral for a particular
loan would not be prohibited from so
requiring. See, e.g., 13 CFR 120.150.
One commenter suggested that SBA
raise the level of exempted personal
resources rather than eliminate the rule
entirely. SBA considered that option but
determined that elimination of the
personal resources test would enable
more robust Borrowers to participate in
SBA’s loan programs, thus mitigating
risk to SBA’s loan portfolio while
facilitating job growth. SBA is adopting
this regulation as proposed by removing
this provision from the regulations.
C. CDC Operational and Organizational
Requirements
1. Section 120.816 CDC Non-Profit
Status and Good Standing
SBA proposed to redesignate section
120.820 as section 120.816. There were
no comments regarding this change, and
SBA is redesignating this section as
proposed.
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2. Section 120.818 Applicability to
Existing for-Profit CDCS
SBA proposed to add this section to
clarify that, unless expressly provided
otherwise in the regulations, any Loan
Program Requirement (as defined in
section 120.10) that applies to nonprofit CDCs also applies to for-profit
CDCs. This regulation reflects current
practice. All commenters supported this
regulation, but one commenter
suggested that the rule be modified to
permit for-profit CDCs to pay dividends.
However, under current section
120.825, CDCs are prohibited from
paying dividends out of funds generated
from loan activity in the 504 Loan
Program. This regulation requires that
any funds generated from 504 loan
activity by a CDC that remain after
payment of staff and overhead expenses
be retained by the CDC as a reserve for
future operations or for investment in
other local economic development
activity in its Area of Operations. This
requirement serves the interests of the
504 Loan Program, and SBA will not
modify the rule to permit dividends.
The commenter also suggested that
the rule be modified to allow
shareholders to serve as officers,
directors and employees. However,
under current section 120.823, a
shareholder may be an employee or staff
of a CDC, but may not at the same time
serve as a voting member of the Board.
SBA is continuing this prohibition in
the final rule.
SBA has required that CDCs be nonprofit corporations since 1987 (see
current 13 CFR 120.820). There are five
for-profit CDCs that were established
and certified by SBA prior to that date,
and these CDCs have been allowed to
continue to operate in the 504 Loan
Program. As noted above, this section is
expressly stating the existing practice,
which SBA believes is appropriate, and
SBA is adopting this regulation as
proposed.
3. Section 120.820
CDC Affiliation
In section 120.820(a), SBA proposed
to require that a CDC be independent
and not affiliated with any Person (the
definition of which under § 120.10
includes a 7(a) Lender), except as
permitted under this section. No
comments were received with respect to
paragraph (a), and SBA is adopting this
provision as proposed.
In section 120.820(b), SBA proposed
to permit CDCs to be affiliated with an
entity whose function is economic
development in the same Area of
Operations and that is either a nonprofit entity or a State or local
government political subdivision. SBA
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received several comments in support of
this provision. However, one
commenter expressed concern that the
affiliated entity could charge the CDC
excessive fees. SBA also received two
comments in opposition from CDCs that
currently each have a for-profit affiliate.
These commenters stated that the forprofit affiliate needed to associate with
a community development or economic
development partner in order to secure
other federal financial assistance, such
as through the New Market Tax Credits
Program. One of the commenters stated
that, through its for-profit affiliate, the
CDC derived additional income that it
was able to use to invest in economic
development activities in its
community, including to provide
financial and professional technical
assistance to disadvantaged small
businesses. Both commenters also
requested that SBA consider revising
the rule to include a ‘‘grandfather
provision’’, arguing that it would be
unfair to apply this prohibition to
existing for-profit affiliates.
SBA has considered these comments
and is revising the final rule to add a
new paragraph (e) to allow a CDC to
continue to have for-profit affiliates
(other than a 7(a) Lender) if such forprofit entities were affiliated with the
CDC prior to the date of publication of
this final rule in the Federal Register. In
addition, SBA recognizes that, after the
effective date of this final rule, there
may be unique circumstances, such as
those described by the commenters,
where a CDC’s affiliation with a forprofit entity may serve the best interests
of the 504 Loan Program. Accordingly,
SBA is revising the rule to provide that,
with the prior written approval of the D/
FA or designee in his or her discretion,
a CDC may be affiliated with a for-profit
entity (other than a 7(a) Lender) whose
function is economic development in
the same Area of Operations if such
affiliation is in the best interests of the
504 Loan Program.
With respect to section 120.820(c), a
few commenters generally supported
this provision which, as proposed,
would permit a CDC to continue its
affiliation with a 7(a) Lender that is
either a state or local development
company approved by SBA as of
November 6, 2003, or a credit union, so
long as the affiliation was in effect as of
the effective date for this final rule. For
the final rule, SBA is simplifying this
provision to state that ‘‘[a] CDC that was
affiliated with a 7(a) Lender as of
November 6, 2003, may continue such
affiliation.’’ This change retains the
timeframe for grandfathering affiliations
with state development companies that
is contained in section 120.852(a)—
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which allows for such affiliations if they
existed as of November 6, 2003—instead
of extending the grandfather period for
these affiliations to the effective date of
this final rule. This change would also
allow a CDC to continue to be affiliated
with any other 7(a) Lender (including
credit unions) if the affiliation was in
effect as of November 6, 2003. SBA does
not expect that changing the grandfather
period for these 7(a) Lenders from the
effective date of this final rule to
November 6, 2003 will affect any CDCs.
The limited grandfathering of preexisting affiliations between CDCs and
7(a) Lenders set forth in this provision
is the only exception to the prohibition
on these affiliations that is authorized
under SBA’s rules.
In addition, SBA is including in
section 120.820(c) the prohibition
against a CDC affiliating with or
investing, directly or indirectly, in a 7(a)
Lender. This prohibition is currently set
forth in § 120.852(a) and, to avoid
confusion, SBA is consolidating all of
the provisions related to CDC affiliation
in section 120.820. SBA has long
interpreted the prohibition against a
CDC investing in a 7(a) Lender to mean
investing ‘‘directly or indirectly’’ and is
including this phrase in the rule. With
this change, and the change discussed
below regarding SBICs in section
120.852(b), SBA is removing and
reserving § 120.852.
Several commenters were opposed to
proposed section 120.820(d), in which
SBA proposed to prohibit CDCs from
being affiliated with, or directly or
indirectly investing in or financing,
another CDC. The commenters stated
that the program has benefitted from
more experienced CDCs being able to
offer financial or managerial assistance
to new CDCs. One commenter expressed
concern that this provision would
prohibit a CDC from contracting with
another CDC for ‘‘back-office packaging,
processing or liquidation services’’. SBA
recognizes that the program may benefit
from such assistance and, under current
section 120.824(b), a CDC may continue
to request SBA’s approval of a
professional services contract with
another CDC. However, SBA does
intend for section 120.820(d) to prohibit
a CDC from being affiliated with another
CDC. To clarify how affiliation would be
determined, SBA is adding the phrase
‘‘as determined in accordance with
121.103’’ to this provision. SBA would
not expect that contracts between CDCs
that are for limited services would give
rise to affiliation under section 121.103
and be prohibited by this provision. The
question of whether a contract for more
extensive services would give rise to
affiliation would depend on the specific
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facts presented by that contract and
would need to be determined by SBA on
a case-by-case basis.
With respect to this provision’s
prohibition on a CDC directly or
indirectly investing in or financing
another CDC, some commenters
suggested that SBA allow a CDC to so
invest in or finance another CDC with
SBA’s prior written approval. SBA
agrees with this recommendation and is
amending this provision to so provide.
As discussed above, to complete the
consolidation of the provisions related
to CDC affiliation in § 120.820, SBA is
moving the provision set forth in
§ 120.852(b), which prohibits a CDC
from investing directly or indirectly in
an SBIC, to § 120.820 as paragraph (f).
Finally, SBA has made additional edits
throughout the section for clarification
purposes.
4. Section 120.822 CDC Membership
SBA proposed eliminating the
membership requirement for CDCs.
Most commenters who submitted
comments on this provision expressed
support for this change because they
believe that maintaining membership is
unproductive for the CDC. Several
commenters who opposed the change
did so on three bases, including that
members were a valuable resource to
CDCs providing them with insight into
local communities, that 501(c)(6)
organizations, such as some CDCs, were
required by the IRS to be membership
based, and that not requiring
membership in each state where a CDC
is located may encourage the expansion
of more CDCs into a state, resulting in
a dilution of the pool of small business
applicants within the state.
SBA notes that there is nothing in the
regulations as proposed that would
preclude CDCs from deciding to have a
membership. If the organization is
required by the IRS to have members, or
if for some other reason it chooses to
have members, the CDC may do so. SBA
is simply removing the requirement that
a CDC have a membership. SBA also
notes that the same concern about the
pool of small business applicants being
diluted was raised when SBA allowed
CDCs to expand their Area of
Operations within an entire State, and
this concern has not been realized. In
addition, the concern regarding the need
for a connection to the local community
will continue to be addressed by the
requirements that a multi-state CDC
create loan committees in each State in
which the CDC operates and that loan
committee members must live or work
in the Area of Operations of the State
where the 504 project they are voting on
is located unless the project falls under
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one of the exceptions listed in
§ 120.839. The final rule, therefore,
removes section 120.822, as proposed.
5. Section 120.823 CDC Board of
Directors
SBA received many comments on
Section 120.823, in which SBA
proposed several changes with respect
to the requirements that apply to the
CDC Board of Directors.
Section 120.823(a) primarily
addresses the size of the Board and
areas of expertise for directors. SBA
proposed to require that the size of the
CDC Board of Directors be no fewer than
11 and no more than 25 members; that
the Board have directors with
background and expertise in internal
controls, risk management, commercial
lending, legal issues related to
commercial lending and corporate
governance; and that the CDC Board
have at least one director from the
economic, community or workforce
development field and two directors
that are representatives from the
commercial lending field. In addition,
the rule proposed to permit the directors
to be either active in or retired from
their fields.
Many commenters opposed the
limitation of the Board size from 11–25
both on the basis that the lower
limitation was too high and that the
higher limitation was too low. After
considering the comments, SBA has
determined that it will amend this
provision to lower the minimum
number from 11 to 9, and will also
allow CDCs to request SBA’s approval to
have fewer than 9 directors. Some
commenters expressed a legitimate
concern that CDCs in rural or isolated
communities may have difficulty in
finding people to serve and may have
other valid reasons that would justify
having fewer directors. SBA will also
give CDCs the flexibility to create a
Board with more than 25 directors by
revising the rule to reflect that the upper
number of 25 is not a requirement but
a recommendation.
A majority of the commenters who
submitted comments on this provision
supported the rule’s minimum
requirements regarding the background
and expertise of directors, but some
requested clarification as to whether one
director could have more than one area
of expertise. Certainly, a director may
have a background in more than one
area and, thus, be qualified as an expert
in more than one area. Commenters
opposed to the rule argued that CDCs
may obtain any expertise needed
through professional services contracts.
SBA believes, however, that it is
important that these areas of expertise
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be represented on the Board. All
commenters supported allowing retired
individuals to represent the fields from
which they are retired. SBA is adopting
this provision as proposed with the
exception of changing the Board size
requirements as described above.
With respect to section 120.823(b),
many commenters supported the
requirement proposed by SBA to
increase the number of Board members
with commercial lending experience
(other than the CDC manager) from one
to two. Commenters opposed to this
requirement expressed concern that it
would be difficult to find more than one
commercial lender to sit on the Board.
However, SBA believes that Board
members with commercial lending
experience add the necessary expertise
for approving loans.
Other commenters opposed to this
requirement stated that two members
with such expertise would be
insufficient for the Board. However, a
CDC is not restricted to having only two
members with commercial lending
experience. A CDC may have more such
members, so long as the number is less
than 50% of the representation on the
Board. Indeed, in order to comply with
the voting requirements, a CDC may
need to have more than two such
directors if one of the directors must
recuse him or herself from the vote. SBA
is adopting this provision as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c),
most commenters supported the
proposed requirement that the CDC
Board of Directors meet at least
quarterly and be responsible for any
actions of the CDC and any committees
established by the Board. One CDC
commenter opposed the language
because its Board meets monthly.
However, there is nothing in the
regulation to prohibit the Boards of
Directors from meeting more frequently,
and SBA is adopting the introductory
clause of section 120.823(c) as
proposed.
In section 120.823(c)(1), SBA
proposed that no CDC staff member
except the CDC manager could be a
voting member of the CDC Board. SBA
received no comments regarding
paragraph (c)(1), and is adopting the
paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(2),
SBA proposed to require that a CDC set
a quorum of not less than 50% of the
Board of Directors. The majority of the
commenters supported the changes to
this provision, but there was a single
request for modifying the requirement
for a quorum to 40%. However, SBA
believes that a 50% quorum is standard
business practice, and is adopting this
paragraph as proposed.
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With respect to section 120.823(c)(3),
all of the comments supported the
proposed change, which would permit
the attendance at meetings through any
format permitted by state law. This
provision recognizes that there are now
methods for meeting other than being
physically present, and SBA is adopting
this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(4),
most of the comments received in
response to this provision supported
SBA’s proposal to limit the number of
directors in the commercial lending
field to less than 50% of the Board of
Directors. Some requested that SBA
raise the percentage to 60 or 67%. One
commenter opposing the change stated
that commercial lenders are especially
well-qualified to serve on a CDC Board
and should comprise a larger percentage
of the Board. While SBA understands
the commenters’ points of view, SBA
believes that CDCs will be better served
by having a more diverse Board not
dominated by commercial lenders and
is adopting this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(5),
SBA proposed to limit the ability of an
outside entity to control a CDC’s Board
by restricting a single entity’s
representation on the Board to one
member. The majority of the
commenters was opposed to or
requested modification of this paragraph
based primarily upon their mistaken
interpretation that this provision would
prohibit any member of the CDC’s Board
of Directors from serving on the Board
of any other entity. SBA does not intend
for this provision to have that effect, but
to only prohibit more than one member
of the CDC’s Board of Directors to be
employed by or serve on the Board of
Directors of any other single entity
(including the entity’s affiliates). SBA is
revising this provision to clarify this
intent.
In addition, one commenter expressed
concern that paragraph (c)(5) would
prohibit more than one board member of
a CDC from serving on the board of the
same civic organization, such as a
Rotary Club. However, SBA has no
objection to more than one board
member serving on the same board of a
civic, charitable, or comparable entity,
provided the entity is not involved in
financial services or economic
development activities. SBA is
amending the rule to clarify this
intention. SBA is also making a
technical change to clarify that no CDC
Board member may serve on the Board
of another CDC, in accordance with
current § 120.851(b).
With respect to section 120.823(d),
SBA proposed to require that the Board
be responsible for ensuring that the
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
structure and operation of the CDC
comply with SBA’s Loan Program
Requirements. In paragraphs (d)(1) and
(2), SBA proposed to require that the
Board be responsible for setting the
mission and hiring, firing, supervising
and evaluating the CDC manager. To
emphasize the fiscal responsibility of
the Board as it relates to salaries,
paragraph (d)(3) explicitly outlines the
duties of the Board to set salaries for the
CDC manager and to review all other
salaries to provide greater transparency
and accountability. SBA would require
that a Report on Compensation be
included in the Annual Report (see
proposed § 120.830). SBA also proposed
in paragraph (d)(4) to provide the CDC
with flexibility in determining whether
to have committees, but addressed the
requirements for Executive and Loan
Committees, if established.
Many commenters expressed overall
support for paragraphs (d)(1)–(4). A few
commenters requested modification or
clarification and expressed concern that
these paragraphs, generally, placed too
much responsibility on the Board of
Directors. For example, section
120.823(d)(3) requires that the Board set
the CDC manager’s salary and review all
other salaries, and one commenter
suggested that this regulation would
require the Board to set all salaries.
However, this provision only requires
that the Board set the salary for the CDC
manager and review the salaries set by
that manager. Moreover, the Board of
Directors of an organization is generally
responsible for all actions of that
organization.
In addition, in response to the
comments that expressed concern about
the need for CDCs to maintain a
connection to the local community, SBA
is revising section 120.823(d)(4)(ii) to
include a new paragraph (E) that retains
the current requirement that the Loan
Committee consist of members who live
or work in the Area of Operations of the
State where the 504 project they are
voting on is located unless the project
falls under one of the exceptions listed
in § 120.839.
No specific comments were submitted
as to paragraphs 120.823(d)(5)–(9). With
respect to section 120.823(d)(5), SBA
proposed to require that the Board
ensure that the CDC’s expenses are
reasonable and customary, and in
section 120.823(d)(6), SBA proposed to
require the Board to hire an
independent auditor to provide
financial statements in accordance with
the Loan Program Requirements.
The proposed provisions in
paragraphs (d)(7) and (8) emphasize the
requirement that the Board monitor the
portfolio and review the semiannual
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status report from the CDC to ensure
that the Board provides appropriate
oversight of the CDC’s portfolio. SBA
proposed to add requirements in
paragraph (d)(9) that the Board ensure
that the CDC establish and maintain
adequate reserves to enable the CDC to
operate.
SBA is adopting paragraphs
120.823(d)(1)–(9) as proposed.
With respect to section
120.823(d)(10), SBA proposed to require
the Board to approve all investments
over $2,500. Most commenters opposed
or requested modification to this
paragraph. The commenters expressed
concern that the amount was too low
and suggested that when the Board
approves the budget, it approves each
investment. Other CDCs commented
that they have other loan programs
where they manage loan funds in which
almost every action would involve
funds of over $2,500. After review, SBA
agrees with the suggestion and is
amending the regulation to provide that
the Board must approve each CDC
investment; however, if the investment
is included in the CDC’s budget, the
Board’s approval of the budget may be
deemed approval of the investment. If
the investment is not included in the
budget, the Board must separately
approve the investment.
With respect to section
120.823(d)(11), SBA proposed to require
that the Board establish a policy in the
Bylaws of the CDC prohibiting an actual
or apparent conflict of interest, and
enforce such policy. Most commenters
supported the policy, but one was
opposed based upon the fact that the
CDC did not want to be mandated to use
a federal definition of ‘‘conflict of
interest.’’ Several other CDCs
recommended that SBA not require the
policy to be placed in the Bylaws. SBA
did not specifically define ‘‘conflict of
interest’’ in this section, but at a
minimum the CDC’s Bylaws must meet
the standards of 13 CFR 120.140. The
Bylaws of a corporation are drawn to
regulate its management and internal
affairs, and it is the Agency’s belief that
a conflict of interest policy is properly
included in the Bylaws. SBA is adopting
this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to 120.823(d)(12) and
(13), SBA proposed to require the Board
to retain accountability for the actions of
the CDC, and establish internal control
policies in accordance with 13 CFR
120.826. A majority of the commenters
supported these policies. One
commenter expressed concern that the
requirement to establish internal
controls required the CDC to hire an
outside consultant to monitor internal
controls of the CDC. It does not. The
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regulation requires that the Board
establish the policy. This is not a new
requirement as the requirement is fully
described in the current regulation at 13
CFR 120.826(b), but is added here to
consolidate all of the Board
requirements in one section. SBA is
adopting paragraphs (12) and (13) as
proposed.
With respect to section
120.823(d)(14), SBA proposed to require
that the Board establish commercially
reasonable loan approval policies,
procedures and standards, and include
in its Bylaws a credit approval process
and any delegations to an Executive
Committee or Loan Committee. The
majority of commenters opposed the
requirement that the credit approval
process be set forth in the CDC’s
Bylaws. SBA has considered these
comments and agrees that it would be
sufficient to allow the CDC to set forth
the credit approval process in a loan
policy manual. SBA is amending the
proposed rule to reflect these changes.
Two of those opposed also objected to
the requirement contained in (d)(14)
that the Board ratify or approve loans
over a certain dollar amount. SBA
believes that it is the Board’s
responsibility to do so and that the
requirement is reasonable and
appropriate; therefore, SBA is not
changing the approval requirement.
With respect to section
120.823(d)(15), SBA proposed to require
that Board members certify annually
that they have read and understand
Section 120.823 of this regulation. Many
commenters supported the paragraph,
and some requested modification to
either permit a separate governance
committee to make the certification or to
permit Board members to take training
instead. Several commenters opposed
the requirement as being too onerous.
SBA does not agree with the
commenters. Training would be more
expensive and time-consuming for the
Board members than reading this
section of the regulation and signing a
certification that they have done so.
SBA believes that the annual
certification by all Board members that
they have read and understand section
120.823 is important and is adopting
paragraph (d)(15) as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(e),
SBA proposed to require that CDCs
maintain Directors’ and Officers’
Liability and Errors and Omission
insurance in the amount of at least
$5,500,000 (in the aggregate and for
each occurrence) with a deductible of
not more than $50,000. SBA invited
comments on the amounts of both the
insurance and the deductible. No
commenters fully supported the
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
requirement. Twenty-eight CDCs (or
11% of all CDCs), submitted comments
on this issue and expressed a concern
that this proposed provision would
increase the cost of insurance. Some
commenters felt that the financial
burden on the CDCs was too great
because increasing the insurance
coverage as required would triple their
premiums. One commenter indicated
that, while he supported the
requirement for insurance, he would
recommend that a fee be added to the
debenture to cover the cost. Others
suggested that there be flexibility as to
the deductible, that the amount be left
to the Board, or that the amount be
based upon portfolio size.
In proposing this insurance
requirement that would apply to all
CDCs, SBA’s intent is to address the
higher risks associated with the
statutory increases in the 504 loan
amounts of up to $5 million for each
small business concern and $5.5 million
for certain projects. As a result of these
higher amounts, a CDC’s loan volume
may increase, which is expected to
result in an increase in the processing
and servicing fees collected by CDCs
that will offset any new costs associated
with this new insurance requirement.
However, after considering all of the
comments, SBA has determined that not
all CDCs may need to have insurance
coverage of $5.5 million per occurrence
and in the aggregate per year SBA agrees
that the amount of insurance should
generally correspond to the size of a
CDC’s portfolio. SBA intends to consult
with CDCs and their representatives, as
well as insurance underwriters, in
developing the appropriate amounts of
insurance required. These amounts will
not exceed the amount of insurance
proposed by SBA in the proposed rule
and will not be less than $1 million.
Further guidance on CDC insurance
requirements will be in the next update
to SOP 50 10 after the final rule is
effective.
Finally, several commenters
expressed concern regarding the
effective date of the changes in section
120.823 and that CDCs would need time
to implement the changes. SBA agrees
and is delaying the effective date of the
changes made to section 120.823 until
12 months after the date of publication
in the Federal Register, at which time
CDCs must be in compliance with this
section. In the interim, CDCs must
continue to comply with the
requirements set forth in current section
120.823.
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6. Section 120.830 Reports a CDC Must
Submit
SBA proposed to revise the
requirements with respect to the reports
that a CDC must submit to SBA. In
section 120.830(a), SBA proposed to
require that a CDC submit with its
Annual Report its most recent Federal
tax return; audited or reviewed financial
statements, as appropriate; a report on
compensation of any current or former
officer, director, employee or
independent contractor who received
compensation during the covered period
of more than $100,000; written
certification from each of its Directors
that each has read and understands the
requirements of 13 CFR Section
120.823; and a report on investments in
economic development activities in
each state in which it has a loan.
Commenters generally supported the
requirements. One commenter noted
that the IRS Form 990 includes
information on compensation for
employees earning more than $100,000
year. SBA agrees that the submission of
the IRS Form 990 would satisfy this
reporting requirement. Non-profit CDCs
that have not yet completed the IRS
Form 990 for their last tax year, or forprofit CDCs that are not required by the
IRS to file the IRS Form 990, may
submit the information in any format as
long as it includes all of the information
with respect to employee compensation
that would be found on the IRS Form
990. One commenter indicated SBA
could obtain the requested information
by searching for the IRS Form 990 online, but the on-line version is often one
to two years old and is not acceptable.
Another recommended that SBA modify
the report on compensation to require
the CDC to report any compensation
that CDC employees earning more than
$100,000 per year receive not only from
the CDC, but also from any outside
source. However, even if a CDC had
sufficient information to report on the
outside compensation received by its
employees, SBA is primarily interested
in the compensation that CDC
employees receive from the CDC, not
outside sources. SBA would expect,
however, the CDC to provide
information on the compensation that
CDC directors, officers or employees
receive from ‘‘related organizations’’ to
the CDC, as required to be reported on
the IRS Form 990.
In addition, one commenter suggested
that any reimbursement for expenses
that the employee receives that the IRS
does not include as compensation
(‘‘accountable expenses’’) should not be
reported as income for SBA purposes.
The commenter observed that the IRS
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Form 990 would not include any
accountable expenses. SBA agrees that
expenses not reportable as
compensation to the IRS may be
excluded from the CDC’s report on
compensation.
Finally, with respect to section
120.830(a)(4), several commenters
supported the proposed requirement
that the report include the economic
development investments made in each
state in which the CDC has an
outstanding loan, but requested
clarification with respect to what would
constitute economic development. SBA
notes that economic development
investment in the community could take
many forms including, but not limited
to, investment in a foundation
established for economic development,
direct investment through other loan
programs in the community, or
investment in other economic
development entities. SBA would
expect the investment report to include
each investment by type and amount.
SBA is adopting section 120.830 as
proposed.
7. Section 120.835 Application To
Expand an Area of Operation
SBA proposed eliminating the
requirement that a CDC have
membership in each state in a MultiState expansion since the proposed
revisions to Section 120.822 make
membership optional. A majority of the
commenters supported this change.
Those opposed expressed the opinion
that membership in an area the CDC
serves gives it a stronger relationship
with each state in a CDC’s Area of
Operations. In addition, some of the
commenters opposed felt that
eliminating the requirement for
membership in each state would make
it easier for a CDC to move into a
contiguous state which would dilute the
pool of potential projects within each
state. As discussed above under section
120.822, similar arguments were made
when CDCs were allowed to operate
statewide for projects, and that has not
proven to be the case. Further, SBA is
retaining the requirements in current
sections 120.835(c)(3) and 120.823(a)
and (b), which together require a multistate CDC to have a loan committee in
each State into which it expands that
meets local membership requirements.
SBA is adopting this section as
proposed.
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8. Section 120.852 Restrictions
Regarding CDC Participation in the
Small Business Investment Company
(SBIC) Program and the 7(a) Loan
Program
As discussed above, SBA is removing
and reserving section 120.852, and
moving its content to section 120.820.
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9. Section 120.920 Required
Participation by the Third Party Lender,
and Section 120.925 Preferences
SBA proposed to revise section
120.920 to provide that if a Third Party
Lender requires a lien on collateral in
addition to the Project Property, the
Third Party Lender, in the event of
liquidation, must first apply the
proceeds from the sale of such
additional collateral to the balance on
the Third Party Lender’s loan. SBA
believes that this change could increase
recoveries on the 504 loan. Commenters
were generally supportive of this
change. Some commenters requested
that SBA clarify that the Third Party
Lender does not have to liquidate
collateral that either no longer exists or
has no recoverable value. However, this
language is in the Third Party Lender
Agreement signed by the Third Party
Lender, and so there is no need to
amend the regulation.
Commenters were also generally
supportive of SBA’s proposal to
eliminate section 120.925 regarding
Preferences. However, one commenter
was opposed to the elimination of this
provision, arguing that the Lender
should not be permitted to have any
type of Preference. A Preference is
defined as ‘‘any arrangement giving a
Lender or a CDC a preferred position
compared to SBA relating to the making,
servicing, or liquidation of a business
loan with respect to such things as
repayment, collateral, guarantees,
control, maintenance of a compensating
balance, purchase of a Certificate of
deposit or acceptance of a separate or
companion loan, without SBA’s
consent.’’ See § 120.10 (Definition of
‘‘Preference’’). SBA recognizes that there
are other types of security that the Third
Party Lender could obtain for its loan in
addition to a lien on additional
collateral, such as a guaranty or other
arrangements for repayment, and that
the Third Party Lender should be
required to comply with proposed
section 120.920 for this collateral or
security as well. Accordingly, SBA is
revising section 120.920 to apply the
requirements of section 120.920 to any
type of collateral or security that the
Third Party Lender obtains.
In addition, one commenter requested
clarification as to the timing of the sale
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of the collateral by the Third Party
Lender. Under the proposed regulation,
the proceeds of any collateral held in
addition to the Project Property must be
applied to the Third Party Lender’s debt
prior to the proceeds of the Project
Property. SBA agrees that clarification
would be helpful and is amending the
final rule to require that, unless
otherwise approved in writing by SBA,
the Third Party Lender liquidate, or
otherwise exhaust all reasonable
avenues of collection with respect to,
the additional collateral or other
security no later than the disposition of
the Project Property, and to apply any
proceeds received as a result of such
Additional Collateral to the balance
outstanding on the Third Party Loan
prior to the application of proceeds from
the disposition of the Project Property to
the Third Party Loan.
D. Section 120.882(a)—The ‘‘9-Month
Rule’’ (Applies to 504 Loan Program
Only)
With respect to section 120.882(a),
SBA proposed to eliminate paragraph
(a)(2) of this section which limits Project
expenses eligible for 504 Loan Program
financing to those incurred within 9
months prior to receipt by SBA of a
complete loan application. As explained
in the proposed rule, SBA intends for
this change to permit financings of
expenses toward a Project regardless of
when they were incurred, so long as
they are directly attributable to the
Project. SBA also observed that there
may be circumstances when an
applicant might incur short term debt to
cover expenses directly attributable to a
Project that is eligible for financing
under the 504 Loan Program. As stated
in the proposed rule, SBA believes that
determining whether an expense has
been incurred by an applicant for a 504
project requires a fact specific analysis
which appropriate agency personnel
need to make regardless of when the
expense was incurred.
All commenters expressed support for
this change with one comment seeking
clarification as to whether long-term
debt could be included in a 504 project.
Historically, the 504 Loan Program did
not include debt refinancing except in
the limited circumstance where the debt
was ‘‘directly attributable’’ to the Project
and incurred within certain time
limitations. For example, under current
SBA policy, the 504 loan may refinance
short term debt (known as ‘‘bridge
financing’’) on the Project land as long
as the financing is for a term of 3 years
or less. See SOP 50 10 5(F), Subpart C,
Chapter 2, Paragraph III.H.4.(a)(2)(b).
More recently, the 504 Loan Program
was authorized to also permit
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refinancing of debt unrelated to the
Project so long as the Project involved
expansion of a small business concern
(120.882(e)) and, on a temporary basis,
the refinancing of certain debt with no
business expansion required
(120.882(g), the authority for which has
expired). Accordingly, the only type of
debt that SBA permits to be financed
other than under § 120.882(e) is ‘‘bridge
financing’’ that is directly attributable to
the Project, and the elimination of the
9-month rule is not intended to change
this policy. SBA will continue to
determine whether expenses incurred
prior to application were in fact
incurred for a 504 Project. SBA is
adopting this provision as proposed.
Compliance With Executive Orders
13563, 12866, 12988, and 13132, the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612)
Executive Order 13563 and Executive
Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has determined that this final
rule is a ‘‘significant’’ regulatory action
for the purposes of Executive Order
12866. Accordingly, the next section
contains SBA’s Regulatory Impact
Analysis. However, this is not a major
rule under the Congressional Review
Act, 5 U.S.C. 800.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
SBA provided a detailed Regulatory
Impact Analysis in the Proposed Rule.
No 7(a) lenders commented on costs,
though several CDCs submitted
comments on increased program costs.
SBA anticipates the 504 program
changes will have minimal impacts on
costs to CDCs, including increased costs
in the program for corporate
governance, reporting or increased
insurance, but may also result in an
increase in the CDC’s processing and
servicing fee income. SBA anticipates
no impact on small entities as a result
of grandfather clauses in the final rule.
Twenty-eight (28) or 11% of CDCs
expressed a concern under 120.823(e)
about the increased cost of insurance as
proposed. SBA concurs with the CDC
comments that portfolio size should be
considered and SBA should develop a
sliding scale for insurance costs. SBA
will coordinate with CDCs and their
representatives and insurance
underwriters when establishing the
insurance scale, which will be
presented in the next update to SOP 50
10 after the Final Rule is effective. Due
to the increase in the 504 debenture size
to $5.5 million for energy public policy
and manufacturing projects, SBA
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proposed increasing the insurance
requirements for all CDCs. A large CDC
did not anticipate an increase in cost,
due to its current insurance level.
Currently, only those CDCs that are in
the Accredited Lenders Program (ALP)
have been required to have insurance of
up to $1 million. For FY 12, there were
an estimated 85 ALP CDCs, or 33%, that
are insured and 175 non-ALP CDCs, or
67%, which are not currently required
to have insurance by SBA. SBA
estimates that the changes to the
eligibility requirements may increase
the number of 504 loans a CDC
processes and, therefore, may increase
processing and servicing fee income by
potentially 5–10% per CDC in the first
year after the Final Rule is effective,
with an overall average of a 8% rate for
the national portfolio overall in the first
year. As a sample, SBA reviewed the
insurance and fees of a large, medium
and small CDC that commented on
increased insurance costs in comparison
to anticipated fee income. The
proportional costs of insurance as
compared to the expected increase in
processing and servicing fees appears to
further justify a sliding scale of
insurance costs based on a CDC’s
portfolio size.
Five, or 2% of, CDCs expressed
concerns under section 120.823(d)(6)
that there would be increased cost to a
CDC for independent loan reviews. SBA
provided clarification language to
address these concern. CDCs are not
required to hire independent loan
reviewers, and may comply by using
independent loan reviewers who are
internal to the CDC as long as they are
independent of the loan approval
process.
Two CDCs commented that
anticipated CDC costs would increase
by requiring the board to oversee
investments over $2,500. SBA addressed
this concern by clarifying that this
oversight is part of the CDC’s budget
and financial review process.
SBA received two cost comments
under section 120.102, both of which
referenced potential cost impacts to the
SBA as a result of the elimination of the
personal resources test. One comment
stated this change would lower the costs
to SBA. The other comment expressed
a concern that costs would increase for
SBA. SBA estimates this rule change
will not impact the cost of program
administration.
SBA received comments under
sections 121.103 and 121.302 expressing
concern that the proposed affidavit as to
affiliation was too complicated and
could result in increased costs to the
borrower. As indicated above, SBA has
decided to further study the affiliation
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issue and is not finalizing any changes
to the affiliation standards at this time.
One CDC expressed a concern about
increased travel expenses due to an
increase in frequency of CDC board
meetings. SBA has also proposed to
allow CDCs to meet via conference call
and web conference to the extent
permitted by State law, which should
minimize compliance costs for CDCs.
One CDC expressed concern under
sections 120.823(d)(12) and (d)(13) that
the CDC would need to hire a consultant
to develop and oversee internal controls
for their CDC. One CDC expressed
concern under section 120.823(d)(5) that
it is cost prohibitive for smaller CDCs to
provide audited financial statements.
Smaller CDCs are only required to
provide reviewed financial statements,
not audited financial statements.
Executive Order 13563
A description of the need for this
regulatory action and benefits and costs
associated with this action, including
possible distributional impacts that
relate to Executive Order 13563, were
included in the Regulatory Impact
Analysis under Executive Order 12866
that was published with the proposed
rule. 78 FR 12633.
SBA’s two primary business loan
programs operate through the agency’s
lending partners, which are 7(a) Lenders
and CDCs. The agency has held public
forums and meetings which allowed it
to reach hundreds of its lending
partners and gain valuable insight,
guidance, and suggestions from many of
them and the trade associations which
represent many of them. The agency’s
outreach efforts to engage stakeholders
before proposing this rule were
extensive.
Executive Order 12988
This action meets applicable
standards set forth in Sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce
burden. The action does not have
retroactive or preemptive effect.
Executive Order 13132
SBA has determined that this final
rule will not have substantial, direct
effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Therefore,
for the purposes of Executive Order
13132, SBA has determined that this
final rule has no federalism implications
warranting preparation of a federalism
assessment.
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Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.,
Ch. 35
The SBA has determined that this
final rule imposes additional reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, which
will result in amendments to the
existing information collections
identified below. SBA solicited public
comments on these amendments when
the proposed rule was published. SBA
proposed to amend the currently
approved CDC Annual Report to require
CDCs to report on executive
compensation and economic
development projects, and to submit a
copy of the CDC’s tax return. The rule
also proposed to require each CDC
director to certify, as part of the CDC
Annual Report, that he or she has read
and understands the requirements set
forth in 13 CFR § 120.823. Finally, SBA
proposed to make changes to the
governance of CDC membership;
composition of CDC board of directors
and to increase insurance coverage.
As a result of these new requirements,
SBA has amended the following
information collections:
1. Title and Description of
Information Collection: The Certified
Development Company (CDC) Annual
Report Guide (SBA Form 1253) provides
instructions to assist the CDC in
preparing and submitting its Annual
Report, which provides information to
SBA on economic development, and the
CDC’s financial condition, operations
and employment impact. OMB Control
Number: 3245–0074.
Description of and Estimated Number
of Respondents: All CDCs must provide
an annual report. Currently there are
approximately 260 CDCs. There is 1
report per respondent. The burden
estimate takes into consideration the
fact that respondents keep the
information requested in the ordinary
course of business.
Estimated Number of Responses: 260.
Estimated Time per Response: SBA
estimates the time needed to complete
this collection will average 28 hours per
report.
Total Estimated Hour Burden: 260 ×
28 hours = 7,280 total annual burden
hours. This is 168 hours less than the
current OMB inventory (7,488) as there
are fewer CDCs than the last burden
hour estimate for this collection.
Since proposing changes to these
information collections, SBA has
revised SOP 50 10, one of the Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP) governing
the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Some of
the amendments to the SOP will result
in additional changes to SBA Forms
1919 and 1920, SBA Form 1244, and
SBA Form 1253 and will result in the
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elimination of SBA Forms 4, 4–I and
Form 4 Schedule A . The SOP changes
do not affect SBA Forms 2233 and 2234.
SBA published notice in the Federal
Register soliciting public comments on
these SOP-related changes. See, 78 FR
53816 (August 30, 2013) and 78 FR
54362 (September 3, 2013); no
comments were received from the
public on the changes brought about by
the revised SOP. SBA has submitted the
forms, as revised to reflect the SOP
changes, to OMB for review and
approval, and will make them available
on the Agency’s Web site at
www.sba.gov soon after obtaining
OMB’s approval. After this final rule
becomes effective, SBA will repost the
forms as revised to conform to changes
made by this final rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–
612
When an agency issues a rulemaking,
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5
U.S.C. 601–612, requires the agency to
‘‘prepare and make available for public
comment a final regulatory analysis’’
which will ‘‘describe the impact of the
final rule on small entities.’’ Section 605
of the RFA allows an agency to certify
a rule, in lieu of preparing an analysis,
if the rulemaking is not expected to
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
Although the rulemaking will impact all
of the approximately 4,500 7(a) Lenders
(some of which are small) and all of the
approximately 260 CDCs (all of which
are small), SBA does not believe the
impact will be significant. The
grandfathering clauses in the final rule
will not have an impact on small
entities. As provided previously in the
cost analysis in the Regulatory Impact
Analysis (RIA), CDCs provided
comments on the concern on increased
costs in insurance, board travel for
meetings and independent loan reviews.
No 7(a) lenders comments on increased
costs. Information about the economic
impact of this rulemaking can be found
in the RIA. As stated above, the final
rule will expand access to the business
loan program but this will not increase
the burden of the agency’s lending
partners because they choose their own
level of program participation (i.e., 7(a)
Lenders and CDCs are not required to
process more loan applications simply
because more small businesses are
eligible to apply for a business loan).
For those CDCs and lenders that process
more businesses loans, the benefit of the
increase in revenue will far exceed any
increased burden. In addition, the
elimination of certain program
participation requirements would not
have a substantial economic impact or
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cost on the small business borrower,
lender or CDC.
In addition, in response to the
comments that expressed concerns
about increased costs in insurance, SBA
will develop a sliding scale for
insurance coverage to address CDC
concerns of increased insurance
coverage to mitigate the potential of
increased costs. To address the concerns
about the increased costs of board travel
for meetings and independent loan
reviews, SBA’s final rule has provisions
for web-conference and teleconference
meetings that would mitigate CDCs
costs of board meeting traveling to
meetings. CDCs are not required to hire
independent loan reviewers outside the
CDC, as the independent loan review
may be internal to the CDC as long as
the reviewer is independent of the loan
approval process. These changes should
mitigate any increase in costs that may
be associated with this rulemaking.
SBA believes that this final rule is
SBA’s best available means for
facilitating American job preservation
and creation by removing unnecessary
regulatory requirements. Since the main
purpose of this final rule is to reduce
unnecessary regulatory burdens and
program eligibility criteria, a review of
the preamble sections above will
provide additional detailed
explanations regarding how and why
this final rule reduces regulatory
burdens and responsibly increase
program participation flexibility. For
these reasons, SBA has determined that
there is no significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
List of Subjects in 13 CFR part 120
Community development, Equal
employment opportunity, Loan
programs—business, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Small
business.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, SBA amends 13 CFR part 120
as follows:
PART 120—BUSINESS LOANS
1. The authority for 13 CFR part 120
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), (b)(7),
(b)(14), (h) and note, 636(a), (h) and (m), 650,
687(f), 696(3) and 697(a) and (e); Pub. L. 111–
5, 123 Stat. 115, Pub. L. 111–240, 124 Stat.
2504.
§ 120.102
■
§ 120.820
■
■
[Removed]
2. Remove § 120.102.
[Redesignated as § 120.816]
3. Redesignate § 120.820 as § 120.816.
4. Add § 120.818 to read as follows:
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§ 120.818 Applicability to existing forprofit CDCs.
Unless expressly provided otherwise
in the regulations, any Loan Program
Requirement that applies to non-profit
CDCs also applies to for-profit CDCs.
■ 5. Add new § 120.820 to read as
follows:
§ 120.820
CDC Affiliation.
(a) A CDC must be independent and
must not be affiliated (as determined in
accordance with § 121.103 of this
chapter) with any Person (as defined in
§ 120.10) except as permitted under this
section.
(b) A CDC may be affiliated with an
entity (other than a 7(a) Lender or
another CDC) whose function is
economic development in the same
Area of Operations and that is either a
non-profit entity or a State or local
government or political subdivision
(e.g., council of governments).
(c) A CDC must not be affiliated (as
determined in accordance with
§ 121.103) with or invest, directly or
indirectly, in a 7(a) Lender. A CDC that
was affiliated with a 7(a) Lender as of
November 6, 2003 may continue such
affiliation.
(d) A CDC must not be affiliated (as
determined in accordance with
§ 121.103 of this chapter) with another
CDC. In addition, a CDC must not
directly or indirectly invest in or
finance another CDC, except with the
prior written approval of D/FA or
designee and D/OCRM or designee if
they determine in their discretion that
such approval is in the best interests of
the 504 Loan Program.
(e) A CDC may remain affiliated with
a for-profit entity (other than a 7(a)
Lender) if such affiliation existed prior
to March 21, 2014. A CDC may also be
affiliated with a for-profit entity (other
than a 7(a) Lender) whose function is
economic development in the same
Area of Operations with the prior
written approval of the D/FA or
designee if he or she determines in his
or her discretion that such approval is
in the best interests of the 504 Loan
Program.
(f) A CDC must not directly or
indirectly invest in a Licensee (as
defined in § 107.50 of this chapter)
licensed by SBA under the SBIC
program authorized in Part A of Title III
of the Small Business Investment Act,
15 U.S.C. 681 et seq. A CDC that has an
SBA-approved investment in a Licensee
as of November 6, 2003 may retain such
investment.
§ 120.822
■
■
[Removed]
6. Remove § 120.822.
7. Revise § 120.823 to read as follows:
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§ 120.823
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CDC Board of Directors.
(a) The CDC, whether for-profit or
nonprofit, must have a Board of
Directors with at least nine (9) voting
directors. A CDC may request the
approval of the D/FA or designee to
have a Board with fewer directors than
9 for good cause. SBA recommends that
the CDC create a Board with no more
than 25 voting directors. The Board
must be actively involved in
encouraging economic development in
the Area of Operations. The initial
Board may be created by any method
permitted by applicable State law. At a
minimum, the Board must have
directors with background and expertise
in internal controls, financial risk
management, commercial lending, legal
issues relating to commercial lending,
and corporate governance. Directors
may be either currently employed or
retired. A CDC must have at least one
voting director that represents the
economic, community or workforce
development fields, and at least two
voting directors that represent the
commercial lending field.
(b) At least two voting members of the
Board of Directors, other than the CDC
manager, must possess commercial
lending experience satisfactory to SBA.
When the Board votes on SBA loan
approval or servicing actions, at least
two voting Board members, with such
commercial lending experience, other
than the CDC manager, must be present
and vote.
(c) The Board of Directors must meet
at least quarterly and shall be
responsible for the actions of the CDC
and any committees established by the
Board of Directors. In addition, the
Board of Directors is subject to the
following requirements:
(1) Except for the CDC manager, no
person on the CDC’s staff may be a
voting director of the Board;
(2) A quorum must be present to
transact business. The quorum shall be
set by the CDC but shall be no less than
50% of the voting members of the Board
of Directors;
(3) Attendance at meetings may be
through any format permitted by State
law;
(4) Directors from the commercial
lending fields must comprise less than
50% of the representation on the Board;
and
(5) A CDC may not permit more than
one of its Directors to be employed by
or serve on the Board of Directors of any
other single entity (including the
entity’s affiliates), unless that entity is a
civic, charitable, or comparable
organization that is not involved in
financial services or economic
development activities. No CDC Board
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member may serve on the Board of
another CDC in accordance with
§ 120.851(b).
(d) The Board shall have and exercise
all corporate powers and authority and
be responsible for all corporate actions
and business. There must be no actual
or appearance of a conflict of interest
with respect to any actions of the Board.
The Board is responsible for ensuring
that the structure and operation of the
CDC, as set forth in the Bylaws, comply
with SBA’s Loan Program
Requirements. The responsibilities of
the Board include, but are not limited,
to the following:
(1) Approving the mission and the
policies for the CDC;
(2) Hiring, firing, supervising and
annually evaluating the CDC manager;
(3) Setting the salary for the CDC
manager and reviewing all salaries;
(4) Establishing committees, at its
discretion, including the following:
(i) Executive Committee. To the extent
authorized in the Bylaws, the Board of
Directors may establish an Executive
Committee. The Executive Committee
may exercise the authority of the Board;
however, the delegation of its authority
does not relieve the Board of its
responsibility imposed by law or Loan
Program Requirements. No further
delegation or redelegation of this
authority is permitted. If the Board
establishes an Executive Committee and
delegates any of its authority to the
Executive Committee as set forth in the
Bylaws of the CDC, the Executive
Committee must:
(A) Be chosen by and from the Board
of Directors from the Board; and
(B) Meet the same organizational and
representational requirements as the
Board of Directors, except that the
Executive Committee must have a
minimum of five voting members who
must be present to conduct business.
(ii) Loan Committee. The Board of
Directors may establish a Loan
Committee. The Loan Committee may
exercise the authority of the Board only
as set forth below; however, the
delegation of its authority does not
relieve the Board of its responsibility
imposed by law or Loan Program
Requirements. If the Board of Directors
chooses to establish a Loan Committee,
no CDC staff or manager may serve on
the Loan Committee. The Loan
Committee must:
(A) Be chosen by the Board of
Directors from the membership (if any),
shareholders or the Board;
(B) Have a quorum of at least five (5)
committee members authorized to vote;
(C) Have at least two members with
commercial lending experience
satisfactory to SBA; and
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(D) Have no actual or appearance of
a conflict of interest, including for
example, a Loan Committee member
participating in deliberations on a loan
for which the Third Party Lender is the
member’s employer or the member is
otherwise associated with the Third
Party Lender; and
(E) Consist of members who live or
work in the Area of Operations of the
State where the 504 project they are
voting on is located unless the project
falls under one of the exceptions listed
in § 120.839.
(5) Ensuring that the CDC’s expenses
are reasonable and customary;
(6) Hiring directly an independent
auditor to provide the financial
statements in accordance with Loan
Program Requirements;
(7) Monitoring the CDC’s portfolio
performance on a regular basis;
(8) Reviewing a semiannual report on
portfolio performance from the CDC
manager, which would include, but not
be limited to, asset quality and industry
concentration;
(9) Ensuring that the CDC establishes
and maintains adequate reserves for
operations;
(10) Ensuring that the CDC invests in
economic development in each of the
States in its Area of Operations in which
it has a portfolio, and approving each
investment. If the investment is
included in the CDC’s budget, the
Board’s approval of the budget may be
deemed approval of the investment. If
the investment is not included in the
budget, the Board must separately
approve the investment;
(11) Establishing a policy in the
Bylaws of the CDC prohibiting an actual
conflict of interest or the appearance of
same, and enforcing such policy (see
§ 120.140 and § 120.851);
(12) Retaining accountability for all of
the actions of the CDC;
(13) Establishing written internal
control policies, in accordance with
§ 120.826;
(14) Establishing commercially
reasonable loan approval policies,
procedures, and standards. The Bylaws
must include any delegations of
authority to the Loan Committee and
Executive Committee, if either
Committee has been established. In
addition, the CDC must establish and set
forth in detail in a policy manual its
credit approval process. All 504 loan
applications must have credit approval
prior to submission to the Agency. The
Loan Committee, if established, may be
delegated the authority to provide credit
approval for loans up to $2,000,000 but,
for loans of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000,
the Loan Committee’s action must be
ratified by the Board or Executive
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Committee prior to Debenture closing.
Only the Board or Executive Committee,
if authorized by the Board, may provide
credit approval for loans greater than
$2,000,000.
(15) All members of the Board of
Directors must annually certify in
writing that they have read and
understand this section, and copies of
the certification must be included in the
Annual Report to SBA.
(e) The Board of Directors shall
maintain Directors’ and Officers’
Liability and Errors and Omissions
insurance in amounts established by
SBA that are based on the size of the
CDC’s portfolio and other relevant
factors.
■ 8. Amend § 120.830 by revising
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
§ 120.830
Reports a CDC must submit.
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*
*
*
*
*
(a) An Annual Report within one
hundred-eighty days after the end of the
CDC’s fiscal year (to include Federal tax
returns for that year). A CDC that is
certified by SBA within 6 months of the
CDC’s fiscal year-end is not required to
submit an Annual Report for that year.
The Annual Report must include, but is
not limited to, the following:
(1) Audited or Reviewed Financial
Statements as required in § 120.826(c)
and (d) for the CDC and any affiliates or
subsidiaries of the CDC.
(i) Audited financial statements must,
at a minimum, include the following:
(A) Audited balance sheet;
(B) Audited statement of income (or
receipts) and expenses;
(C) Audited statement of source and
application of funds;
(D) Such footnotes as are necessary to
an understanding of the financial
statements;
(E) Auditor’s letter to management on
internal control weaknesses; and
(F) The auditor’s report; and
(ii) Reviewed financial statements
must, at a minimum, include the
following:
(A) Balance sheet;
(B) Statement of income (or receipts)
and expenses;
(C) Statement of source and
application of funds;
(D) Such footnotes as are necessary to
an understanding of the financial
statements;
(E) The accountant’s review report;
and
(2) Report on compensation: CDCs are
required to provide detailed information
on total compensation (including salary,
bonuses and expenses) paid within the
CDC’s most recent tax year for current
and former officers and directors, and
for current and former employees and
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(2) The Third Party Lender applies
any proceeds received as a result of the
Additional Collateral to the balance
outstanding on the Third Party Loan
prior to the application of proceeds from
the disposition of the Project Property to
the Third Party Loan.
independent contractors with total
compensation of more than $100,000
during that period.
(3) Certification of members of the
Board of Directors. Written annual
certification by each Board member that
he or she has read and understands the
requirements set forth in § 120.823.
(4) Report on investment in economic
development. Written report on
investments in economic development
in each State in which the CDC has an
outstanding 504 loan.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 9. Amend § 120.835 by revising
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§ 120.925
§ 120.835 Application to expand an Area of
Operations.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
*
Federal Aviation Administration
*
*
*
*
(c) A CDC seeking to become a MultiState CDC must apply to the SBA
District Office that services the area
within each State where the CDC
intends to locate its principal office for
that State. A CDC may apply to be a
Multi-State CDC only if the State the
CDC seeks to expand into is contiguous
to the State of the CDC’s incorporation
and the CDC establishes a loan
committee in that State meeting the
requirements of § 120.823.
§ 120.852
[Removed and Reserved]
10. Remove and reserve § 120.852.
11. Amend § 120.882 by revising
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
■
■
§ 120.882
loans.
Eligible Project costs for 504
*
*
*
*
*
(a) Costs directly attributable to the
Project including expenditures incurred
by the Borrower (with its own funds or
from a loan) to acquire land used in the
Project, or for any other expense directly
attributable to the Project, prior to
applying to SBA for the 504 loan;
*
*
*
*
*
■ 12. Amend § 120.920 by revising
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
§ 120.920 Required participation by Third
Party Lender.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Third party loan collateral. The
504 loan is usually collateralized by a
second lien on Project Property. The
Third Party Lender may obtain
additional collateral or other security for
the Third Party Loan (‘‘Additional
Collateral’’) only if in the event of
liquidation and unless otherwise
approved in writing by SBA:
(1) The Third Party Lender liquidates
or otherwise exhausts all reasonable
avenues of collection with respect to the
Additional Collateral no later than the
disposition of the Project Property, and
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■
[Removed and Reserved]
13. Remove and reserve § 120.925.
Marianne O’Brien Markowitz,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014–06237 Filed 3–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0796; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–111–AD; Amendment
39–17802; AD 2014–05–30]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are superseding
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013–07–
07 for all The Boeing Company Model
737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900, and
–900ER series airplanes. AD 2013–07–
07 required inspecting to determine the
part number of the attach pins of the
horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and
replacing certain attach pins. This new
AD clarifies the parts installation
limitation and prohibition, and adds a
new requirement for certain airplanes
on which certain attach pins were
installed. This AD was prompted by
inquiries from affected operators
regarding the parts installation
limitation and prohibition, and reinstallation of certain attach pins that
were removed for inspection. We are
issuing this AD to prevent premature
failure of the attach pins, which could
cause reduced structural integrity of the
horizontal stabilizer to fuselage
attachment, resulting in loss of control
of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective April 25,
2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of May 20, 2013 (78 FR 22182, April
15, 2013).
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15641-15651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06237]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
13 CFR Part 120
RIN 3245-AG04
504 and 7(a) Loan Programs Updates
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule finalizes the proposed rule that the U.S. Small
Business Administration (``SBA'') issued to improve access to its two
flagship business lending programs: the 504 Loan Program and the 7(a)
Loan Program. This rule will enhance job creation through increasing
eligibility for loans under SBA's business loan programs and by
modifying certain program participant requirements applicable to the
504 Loan Program. In addition, SBA is revising Certified Development
Company (CDC) operations requirements to clarify certain existing
regulations. SBA has decided to further study the issue of how to
redefine affiliation for the business loan programs and is not
including any changes to the affiliation standards in this final rule.
DATES: This rule is effective April 21, 2014, except for the amendment
to 13 CFR 120.823, which is effective April 21, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Rusche, Director, of Financial
Assistance; ATTN: Linda Reilly, Chief, 504 Program Branch, Office of
Financial Assistance, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street
SW., Washington, DC 20416; telephone 202-205-9949.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The 504 Loan Program and 7(a) Loan Program are SBA's two primary
business loan programs authorized under the Small Business Investment
Act of 1958 and the Small Business Act, respectively. On February 25,
2013, SBA published a proposed rule with request for comments in the
Federal Register to implement several changes intended to reinvigorate
the business loan programs by eliminating unnecessary compliance
burdens and loan eligibility restrictions. 78 FR 12633. The major
changes proposed by SBA related to affiliation principles, the personal
resources test, the 9-month rule for the 504 Loan Program, and
operational and organizational requirements for Certified Development
Companies (``CDCs''). The comment period was open until April 26, 2013.
SBA received
[[Page 15642]]
99 written comments during the comment period. These comments were
received from 62 separate entities or individuals, including 32 CDCs,
16 financial institutions, 11 trade associations, one business, one
United States Senator, and one individual. (The number of separate
commenters does not total 99 because, in many cases, SBA received more
than one submission from representatives of the same entity). The
comments are summarized and addressed below.
II. Summary of Comments Received
A. Affiliation as Applied to the Business Loan Programs--Section
121.302
SBA received 56 comments related to the proposed affiliation
standards for small businesses. SBA received many comments that were
generally supportive of the proposed standards and also received
several comments that opposed or suggested modifications to certain
provisions. Several commenters opposed the ``totality of the
circumstances'' standard set forth in proposed section 121.302(a).
Among the comments were that this standard would leave too much gray
area and might not be consistently applied, and that it would be
preferable to have a black and white test; that this standard is vague
and open-ended; and that it would subject lender decisions to more
scrutiny and second-guessing than currently occurs. In addition, many
commenters expressed concern that the proposed six-page Applicant
Affidavit on Affiliation was far too complicated for the typical
applicant to complete without the extensive assistance of an attorney,
a certified public accountant, and/or the CDC. Some expressed concern
that the proposed Affidavit would likely add to the applicant's cost
and would increase the time needed to prepare applications, and would
not, contrary to SBA's intention, result in streamlining the process
and reducing costs. Another commenter stated that the CDC would not be
able to rely exclusively on the Affidavit, and would still be required
by prudent lending to evaluate the validity of the Affidavit by
comparing it to the applicant's financial and organizational documents.
In light of the comments, and upon further consideration, SBA has
decided to further study the issue of redefining affiliation for the
business loan programs and is not finalizing any changes to the
affiliation standards at this time.
B. Elimination of Personal Resources Test in Business Loan Programs--
Section 120.102
SBA proposed to eliminate section 120.102, commonly known as ``the
personal resources test.'' Commenters expressed overwhelming support
for the elimination of this regulation, which requires certain owners
of a Borrower to inject personal liquid assets into the business to
reduce the amount of SBA guaranteed funds that would otherwise be
needed. Those opposed to eliminating the regulation were concerned that
it would lead to increased scrutiny by SBA of lenders' determinations
that credit was ``not available elsewhere'', which is a requirement of
Section 120.101. While there may be some connection between Section
120.101 and 120.102, the findings for each are distinct. The present
regulation at Section 120.102 concerns the effect of personal resources
available to the applicant, while the regulation at Section 120.101
addresses the availability of financing from non-federal sources.
Others opposed felt that more Borrowers with significant assets would
receive loans and that personal liquid assets would not be required to
be converted to collateral for the loan, and that this practice would
not be consistent with prudent lending. Although SBA will no longer
require that the personal resources of owners be used to reduce the SBA
funded portion of the total financing package, a lender that believes
that prudent lending requires that assets either be injected or pledged
as collateral for a particular loan would not be prohibited from so
requiring. See, e.g., 13 CFR 120.150.
One commenter suggested that SBA raise the level of exempted
personal resources rather than eliminate the rule entirely. SBA
considered that option but determined that elimination of the personal
resources test would enable more robust Borrowers to participate in
SBA's loan programs, thus mitigating risk to SBA's loan portfolio while
facilitating job growth. SBA is adopting this regulation as proposed by
removing this provision from the regulations.
C. CDC Operational and Organizational Requirements
1. Section 120.816 CDC Non-Profit Status and Good Standing
SBA proposed to redesignate section 120.820 as section 120.816.
There were no comments regarding this change, and SBA is redesignating
this section as proposed.
2. Section 120.818 Applicability to Existing for-Profit CDCS
SBA proposed to add this section to clarify that, unless expressly
provided otherwise in the regulations, any Loan Program Requirement (as
defined in section 120.10) that applies to non-profit CDCs also applies
to for-profit CDCs. This regulation reflects current practice. All
commenters supported this regulation, but one commenter suggested that
the rule be modified to permit for-profit CDCs to pay dividends.
However, under current section 120.825, CDCs are prohibited from paying
dividends out of funds generated from loan activity in the 504 Loan
Program. This regulation requires that any funds generated from 504
loan activity by a CDC that remain after payment of staff and overhead
expenses be retained by the CDC as a reserve for future operations or
for investment in other local economic development activity in its Area
of Operations. This requirement serves the interests of the 504 Loan
Program, and SBA will not modify the rule to permit dividends.
The commenter also suggested that the rule be modified to allow
shareholders to serve as officers, directors and employees. However,
under current section 120.823, a shareholder may be an employee or
staff of a CDC, but may not at the same time serve as a voting member
of the Board. SBA is continuing this prohibition in the final rule.
SBA has required that CDCs be non-profit corporations since 1987
(see current 13 CFR 120.820). There are five for-profit CDCs that were
established and certified by SBA prior to that date, and these CDCs
have been allowed to continue to operate in the 504 Loan Program. As
noted above, this section is expressly stating the existing practice,
which SBA believes is appropriate, and SBA is adopting this regulation
as proposed.
3. Section 120.820 CDC Affiliation
In section 120.820(a), SBA proposed to require that a CDC be
independent and not affiliated with any Person (the definition of which
under Sec. 120.10 includes a 7(a) Lender), except as permitted under
this section. No comments were received with respect to paragraph (a),
and SBA is adopting this provision as proposed.
In section 120.820(b), SBA proposed to permit CDCs to be affiliated
with an entity whose function is economic development in the same Area
of Operations and that is either a non-profit entity or a State or
local government political subdivision. SBA
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received several comments in support of this provision. However, one
commenter expressed concern that the affiliated entity could charge the
CDC excessive fees. SBA also received two comments in opposition from
CDCs that currently each have a for-profit affiliate. These commenters
stated that the for-profit affiliate needed to associate with a
community development or economic development partner in order to
secure other federal financial assistance, such as through the New
Market Tax Credits Program. One of the commenters stated that, through
its for-profit affiliate, the CDC derived additional income that it was
able to use to invest in economic development activities in its
community, including to provide financial and professional technical
assistance to disadvantaged small businesses. Both commenters also
requested that SBA consider revising the rule to include a
``grandfather provision'', arguing that it would be unfair to apply
this prohibition to existing for-profit affiliates.
SBA has considered these comments and is revising the final rule to
add a new paragraph (e) to allow a CDC to continue to have for-profit
affiliates (other than a 7(a) Lender) if such for-profit entities were
affiliated with the CDC prior to the date of publication of this final
rule in the Federal Register. In addition, SBA recognizes that, after
the effective date of this final rule, there may be unique
circumstances, such as those described by the commenters, where a CDC's
affiliation with a for-profit entity may serve the best interests of
the 504 Loan Program. Accordingly, SBA is revising the rule to provide
that, with the prior written approval of the D/FA or designee in his or
her discretion, a CDC may be affiliated with a for-profit entity (other
than a 7(a) Lender) whose function is economic development in the same
Area of Operations if such affiliation is in the best interests of the
504 Loan Program.
With respect to section 120.820(c), a few commenters generally
supported this provision which, as proposed, would permit a CDC to
continue its affiliation with a 7(a) Lender that is either a state or
local development company approved by SBA as of November 6, 2003, or a
credit union, so long as the affiliation was in effect as of the
effective date for this final rule. For the final rule, SBA is
simplifying this provision to state that ``[a] CDC that was affiliated
with a 7(a) Lender as of November 6, 2003, may continue such
affiliation.'' This change retains the timeframe for grandfathering
affiliations with state development companies that is contained in
section 120.852(a)--which allows for such affiliations if they existed
as of November 6, 2003--instead of extending the grandfather period for
these affiliations to the effective date of this final rule. This
change would also allow a CDC to continue to be affiliated with any
other 7(a) Lender (including credit unions) if the affiliation was in
effect as of November 6, 2003. SBA does not expect that changing the
grandfather period for these 7(a) Lenders from the effective date of
this final rule to November 6, 2003 will affect any CDCs. The limited
grandfathering of pre-existing affiliations between CDCs and 7(a)
Lenders set forth in this provision is the only exception to the
prohibition on these affiliations that is authorized under SBA's rules.
In addition, SBA is including in section 120.820(c) the prohibition
against a CDC affiliating with or investing, directly or indirectly, in
a 7(a) Lender. This prohibition is currently set forth in Sec.
120.852(a) and, to avoid confusion, SBA is consolidating all of the
provisions related to CDC affiliation in section 120.820. SBA has long
interpreted the prohibition against a CDC investing in a 7(a) Lender to
mean investing ``directly or indirectly'' and is including this phrase
in the rule. With this change, and the change discussed below regarding
SBICs in section 120.852(b), SBA is removing and reserving Sec.
120.852.
Several commenters were opposed to proposed section 120.820(d), in
which SBA proposed to prohibit CDCs from being affiliated with, or
directly or indirectly investing in or financing, another CDC. The
commenters stated that the program has benefitted from more experienced
CDCs being able to offer financial or managerial assistance to new
CDCs. One commenter expressed concern that this provision would
prohibit a CDC from contracting with another CDC for ``back-office
packaging, processing or liquidation services''. SBA recognizes that
the program may benefit from such assistance and, under current section
120.824(b), a CDC may continue to request SBA's approval of a
professional services contract with another CDC. However, SBA does
intend for section 120.820(d) to prohibit a CDC from being affiliated
with another CDC. To clarify how affiliation would be determined, SBA
is adding the phrase ``as determined in accordance with 121.103'' to
this provision. SBA would not expect that contracts between CDCs that
are for limited services would give rise to affiliation under section
121.103 and be prohibited by this provision. The question of whether a
contract for more extensive services would give rise to affiliation
would depend on the specific facts presented by that contract and would
need to be determined by SBA on a case-by-case basis.
With respect to this provision's prohibition on a CDC directly or
indirectly investing in or financing another CDC, some commenters
suggested that SBA allow a CDC to so invest in or finance another CDC
with SBA's prior written approval. SBA agrees with this recommendation
and is amending this provision to so provide.
As discussed above, to complete the consolidation of the provisions
related to CDC affiliation in Sec. 120.820, SBA is moving the
provision set forth in Sec. 120.852(b), which prohibits a CDC from
investing directly or indirectly in an SBIC, to Sec. 120.820 as
paragraph (f). Finally, SBA has made additional edits throughout the
section for clarification purposes.
4. Section 120.822 CDC Membership
SBA proposed eliminating the membership requirement for CDCs. Most
commenters who submitted comments on this provision expressed support
for this change because they believe that maintaining membership is
unproductive for the CDC. Several commenters who opposed the change did
so on three bases, including that members were a valuable resource to
CDCs providing them with insight into local communities, that 501(c)(6)
organizations, such as some CDCs, were required by the IRS to be
membership based, and that not requiring membership in each state where
a CDC is located may encourage the expansion of more CDCs into a state,
resulting in a dilution of the pool of small business applicants within
the state.
SBA notes that there is nothing in the regulations as proposed that
would preclude CDCs from deciding to have a membership. If the
organization is required by the IRS to have members, or if for some
other reason it chooses to have members, the CDC may do so. SBA is
simply removing the requirement that a CDC have a membership. SBA also
notes that the same concern about the pool of small business applicants
being diluted was raised when SBA allowed CDCs to expand their Area of
Operations within an entire State, and this concern has not been
realized. In addition, the concern regarding the need for a connection
to the local community will continue to be addressed by the
requirements that a multi-state CDC create loan committees in each
State in which the CDC operates and that loan committee members must
live or work in the Area of Operations of the State where the 504
project they are voting on is located unless the project falls under
[[Page 15644]]
one of the exceptions listed in Sec. 120.839. The final rule,
therefore, removes section 120.822, as proposed.
5. Section 120.823 CDC Board of Directors
SBA received many comments on Section 120.823, in which SBA
proposed several changes with respect to the requirements that apply to
the CDC Board of Directors.
Section 120.823(a) primarily addresses the size of the Board and
areas of expertise for directors. SBA proposed to require that the size
of the CDC Board of Directors be no fewer than 11 and no more than 25
members; that the Board have directors with background and expertise in
internal controls, risk management, commercial lending, legal issues
related to commercial lending and corporate governance; and that the
CDC Board have at least one director from the economic, community or
workforce development field and two directors that are representatives
from the commercial lending field. In addition, the rule proposed to
permit the directors to be either active in or retired from their
fields.
Many commenters opposed the limitation of the Board size from 11-25
both on the basis that the lower limitation was too high and that the
higher limitation was too low. After considering the comments, SBA has
determined that it will amend this provision to lower the minimum
number from 11 to 9, and will also allow CDCs to request SBA's approval
to have fewer than 9 directors. Some commenters expressed a legitimate
concern that CDCs in rural or isolated communities may have difficulty
in finding people to serve and may have other valid reasons that would
justify having fewer directors. SBA will also give CDCs the flexibility
to create a Board with more than 25 directors by revising the rule to
reflect that the upper number of 25 is not a requirement but a
recommendation.
A majority of the commenters who submitted comments on this
provision supported the rule's minimum requirements regarding the
background and expertise of directors, but some requested clarification
as to whether one director could have more than one area of expertise.
Certainly, a director may have a background in more than one area and,
thus, be qualified as an expert in more than one area. Commenters
opposed to the rule argued that CDCs may obtain any expertise needed
through professional services contracts. SBA believes, however, that it
is important that these areas of expertise be represented on the Board.
All commenters supported allowing retired individuals to represent the
fields from which they are retired. SBA is adopting this provision as
proposed with the exception of changing the Board size requirements as
described above.
With respect to section 120.823(b), many commenters supported the
requirement proposed by SBA to increase the number of Board members
with commercial lending experience (other than the CDC manager) from
one to two. Commenters opposed to this requirement expressed concern
that it would be difficult to find more than one commercial lender to
sit on the Board. However, SBA believes that Board members with
commercial lending experience add the necessary expertise for approving
loans.
Other commenters opposed to this requirement stated that two
members with such expertise would be insufficient for the Board.
However, a CDC is not restricted to having only two members with
commercial lending experience. A CDC may have more such members, so
long as the number is less than 50% of the representation on the Board.
Indeed, in order to comply with the voting requirements, a CDC may need
to have more than two such directors if one of the directors must
recuse him or herself from the vote. SBA is adopting this provision as
proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c), most commenters supported the
proposed requirement that the CDC Board of Directors meet at least
quarterly and be responsible for any actions of the CDC and any
committees established by the Board. One CDC commenter opposed the
language because its Board meets monthly. However, there is nothing in
the regulation to prohibit the Boards of Directors from meeting more
frequently, and SBA is adopting the introductory clause of section
120.823(c) as proposed.
In section 120.823(c)(1), SBA proposed that no CDC staff member
except the CDC manager could be a voting member of the CDC Board. SBA
received no comments regarding paragraph (c)(1), and is adopting the
paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(2), SBA proposed to require that
a CDC set a quorum of not less than 50% of the Board of Directors. The
majority of the commenters supported the changes to this provision, but
there was a single request for modifying the requirement for a quorum
to 40%. However, SBA believes that a 50% quorum is standard business
practice, and is adopting this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(3), all of the comments
supported the proposed change, which would permit the attendance at
meetings through any format permitted by state law. This provision
recognizes that there are now methods for meeting other than being
physically present, and SBA is adopting this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(4), most of the comments
received in response to this provision supported SBA's proposal to
limit the number of directors in the commercial lending field to less
than 50% of the Board of Directors. Some requested that SBA raise the
percentage to 60 or 67%. One commenter opposing the change stated that
commercial lenders are especially well-qualified to serve on a CDC
Board and should comprise a larger percentage of the Board. While SBA
understands the commenters' points of view, SBA believes that CDCs will
be better served by having a more diverse Board not dominated by
commercial lenders and is adopting this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(c)(5), SBA proposed to limit the
ability of an outside entity to control a CDC's Board by restricting a
single entity's representation on the Board to one member. The majority
of the commenters was opposed to or requested modification of this
paragraph based primarily upon their mistaken interpretation that this
provision would prohibit any member of the CDC's Board of Directors
from serving on the Board of any other entity. SBA does not intend for
this provision to have that effect, but to only prohibit more than one
member of the CDC's Board of Directors to be employed by or serve on
the Board of Directors of any other single entity (including the
entity's affiliates). SBA is revising this provision to clarify this
intent.
In addition, one commenter expressed concern that paragraph (c)(5)
would prohibit more than one board member of a CDC from serving on the
board of the same civic organization, such as a Rotary Club. However,
SBA has no objection to more than one board member serving on the same
board of a civic, charitable, or comparable entity, provided the entity
is not involved in financial services or economic development
activities. SBA is amending the rule to clarify this intention. SBA is
also making a technical change to clarify that no CDC Board member may
serve on the Board of another CDC, in accordance with current Sec.
120.851(b).
With respect to section 120.823(d), SBA proposed to require that
the Board be responsible for ensuring that the
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structure and operation of the CDC comply with SBA's Loan Program
Requirements. In paragraphs (d)(1) and (2), SBA proposed to require
that the Board be responsible for setting the mission and hiring,
firing, supervising and evaluating the CDC manager. To emphasize the
fiscal responsibility of the Board as it relates to salaries, paragraph
(d)(3) explicitly outlines the duties of the Board to set salaries for
the CDC manager and to review all other salaries to provide greater
transparency and accountability. SBA would require that a Report on
Compensation be included in the Annual Report (see proposed Sec.
120.830). SBA also proposed in paragraph (d)(4) to provide the CDC with
flexibility in determining whether to have committees, but addressed
the requirements for Executive and Loan Committees, if established.
Many commenters expressed overall support for paragraphs (d)(1)-
(4). A few commenters requested modification or clarification and
expressed concern that these paragraphs, generally, placed too much
responsibility on the Board of Directors. For example, section
120.823(d)(3) requires that the Board set the CDC manager's salary and
review all other salaries, and one commenter suggested that this
regulation would require the Board to set all salaries. However, this
provision only requires that the Board set the salary for the CDC
manager and review the salaries set by that manager. Moreover, the
Board of Directors of an organization is generally responsible for all
actions of that organization.
In addition, in response to the comments that expressed concern
about the need for CDCs to maintain a connection to the local
community, SBA is revising section 120.823(d)(4)(ii) to include a new
paragraph (E) that retains the current requirement that the Loan
Committee consist of members who live or work in the Area of Operations
of the State where the 504 project they are voting on is located unless
the project falls under one of the exceptions listed in Sec. 120.839.
No specific comments were submitted as to paragraphs 120.823(d)(5)-
(9). With respect to section 120.823(d)(5), SBA proposed to require
that the Board ensure that the CDC's expenses are reasonable and
customary, and in section 120.823(d)(6), SBA proposed to require the
Board to hire an independent auditor to provide financial statements in
accordance with the Loan Program Requirements.
The proposed provisions in paragraphs (d)(7) and (8) emphasize the
requirement that the Board monitor the portfolio and review the
semiannual status report from the CDC to ensure that the Board provides
appropriate oversight of the CDC's portfolio. SBA proposed to add
requirements in paragraph (d)(9) that the Board ensure that the CDC
establish and maintain adequate reserves to enable the CDC to operate.
SBA is adopting paragraphs 120.823(d)(1)-(9) as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(d)(10), SBA proposed to require the
Board to approve all investments over $2,500. Most commenters opposed
or requested modification to this paragraph. The commenters expressed
concern that the amount was too low and suggested that when the Board
approves the budget, it approves each investment. Other CDCs commented
that they have other loan programs where they manage loan funds in
which almost every action would involve funds of over $2,500. After
review, SBA agrees with the suggestion and is amending the regulation
to provide that the Board must approve each CDC investment; however, if
the investment is included in the CDC's budget, the Board's approval of
the budget may be deemed approval of the investment. If the investment
is not included in the budget, the Board must separately approve the
investment.
With respect to section 120.823(d)(11), SBA proposed to require
that the Board establish a policy in the Bylaws of the CDC prohibiting
an actual or apparent conflict of interest, and enforce such policy.
Most commenters supported the policy, but one was opposed based upon
the fact that the CDC did not want to be mandated to use a federal
definition of ``conflict of interest.'' Several other CDCs recommended
that SBA not require the policy to be placed in the Bylaws. SBA did not
specifically define ``conflict of interest'' in this section, but at a
minimum the CDC's Bylaws must meet the standards of 13 CFR 120.140. The
Bylaws of a corporation are drawn to regulate its management and
internal affairs, and it is the Agency's belief that a conflict of
interest policy is properly included in the Bylaws. SBA is adopting
this paragraph as proposed.
With respect to 120.823(d)(12) and (13), SBA proposed to require
the Board to retain accountability for the actions of the CDC, and
establish internal control policies in accordance with 13 CFR 120.826.
A majority of the commenters supported these policies. One commenter
expressed concern that the requirement to establish internal controls
required the CDC to hire an outside consultant to monitor internal
controls of the CDC. It does not. The regulation requires that the
Board establish the policy. This is not a new requirement as the
requirement is fully described in the current regulation at 13 CFR
120.826(b), but is added here to consolidate all of the Board
requirements in one section. SBA is adopting paragraphs (12) and (13)
as proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(d)(14), SBA proposed to require
that the Board establish commercially reasonable loan approval
policies, procedures and standards, and include in its Bylaws a credit
approval process and any delegations to an Executive Committee or Loan
Committee. The majority of commenters opposed the requirement that the
credit approval process be set forth in the CDC's Bylaws. SBA has
considered these comments and agrees that it would be sufficient to
allow the CDC to set forth the credit approval process in a loan policy
manual. SBA is amending the proposed rule to reflect these changes.
Two of those opposed also objected to the requirement contained in
(d)(14) that the Board ratify or approve loans over a certain dollar
amount. SBA believes that it is the Board's responsibility to do so and
that the requirement is reasonable and appropriate; therefore, SBA is
not changing the approval requirement.
With respect to section 120.823(d)(15), SBA proposed to require
that Board members certify annually that they have read and understand
Section 120.823 of this regulation. Many commenters supported the
paragraph, and some requested modification to either permit a separate
governance committee to make the certification or to permit Board
members to take training instead. Several commenters opposed the
requirement as being too onerous. SBA does not agree with the
commenters. Training would be more expensive and time-consuming for the
Board members than reading this section of the regulation and signing a
certification that they have done so. SBA believes that the annual
certification by all Board members that they have read and understand
section 120.823 is important and is adopting paragraph (d)(15) as
proposed.
With respect to section 120.823(e), SBA proposed to require that
CDCs maintain Directors' and Officers' Liability and Errors and
Omission insurance in the amount of at least $5,500,000 (in the
aggregate and for each occurrence) with a deductible of not more than
$50,000. SBA invited comments on the amounts of both the insurance and
the deductible. No commenters fully supported the
[[Page 15646]]
requirement. Twenty-eight CDCs (or 11% of all CDCs), submitted comments
on this issue and expressed a concern that this proposed provision
would increase the cost of insurance. Some commenters felt that the
financial burden on the CDCs was too great because increasing the
insurance coverage as required would triple their premiums. One
commenter indicated that, while he supported the requirement for
insurance, he would recommend that a fee be added to the debenture to
cover the cost. Others suggested that there be flexibility as to the
deductible, that the amount be left to the Board, or that the amount be
based upon portfolio size.
In proposing this insurance requirement that would apply to all
CDCs, SBA's intent is to address the higher risks associated with the
statutory increases in the 504 loan amounts of up to $5 million for
each small business concern and $5.5 million for certain projects. As a
result of these higher amounts, a CDC's loan volume may increase, which
is expected to result in an increase in the processing and servicing
fees collected by CDCs that will offset any new costs associated with
this new insurance requirement. However, after considering all of the
comments, SBA has determined that not all CDCs may need to have
insurance coverage of $5.5 million per occurrence and in the aggregate
per year SBA agrees that the amount of insurance should generally
correspond to the size of a CDC's portfolio. SBA intends to consult
with CDCs and their representatives, as well as insurance underwriters,
in developing the appropriate amounts of insurance required. These
amounts will not exceed the amount of insurance proposed by SBA in the
proposed rule and will not be less than $1 million. Further guidance on
CDC insurance requirements will be in the next update to SOP 50 10
after the final rule is effective.
Finally, several commenters expressed concern regarding the
effective date of the changes in section 120.823 and that CDCs would
need time to implement the changes. SBA agrees and is delaying the
effective date of the changes made to section 120.823 until 12 months
after the date of publication in the Federal Register, at which time
CDCs must be in compliance with this section. In the interim, CDCs must
continue to comply with the requirements set forth in current section
120.823.
6. Section 120.830 Reports a CDC Must Submit
SBA proposed to revise the requirements with respect to the reports
that a CDC must submit to SBA. In section 120.830(a), SBA proposed to
require that a CDC submit with its Annual Report its most recent
Federal tax return; audited or reviewed financial statements, as
appropriate; a report on compensation of any current or former officer,
director, employee or independent contractor who received compensation
during the covered period of more than $100,000; written certification
from each of its Directors that each has read and understands the
requirements of 13 CFR Section 120.823; and a report on investments in
economic development activities in each state in which it has a loan.
Commenters generally supported the requirements. One commenter
noted that the IRS Form 990 includes information on compensation for
employees earning more than $100,000 year. SBA agrees that the
submission of the IRS Form 990 would satisfy this reporting
requirement. Non-profit CDCs that have not yet completed the IRS Form
990 for their last tax year, or for-profit CDCs that are not required
by the IRS to file the IRS Form 990, may submit the information in any
format as long as it includes all of the information with respect to
employee compensation that would be found on the IRS Form 990. One
commenter indicated SBA could obtain the requested information by
searching for the IRS Form 990 on-line, but the on-line version is
often one to two years old and is not acceptable. Another recommended
that SBA modify the report on compensation to require the CDC to report
any compensation that CDC employees earning more than $100,000 per year
receive not only from the CDC, but also from any outside source.
However, even if a CDC had sufficient information to report on the
outside compensation received by its employees, SBA is primarily
interested in the compensation that CDC employees receive from the CDC,
not outside sources. SBA would expect, however, the CDC to provide
information on the compensation that CDC directors, officers or
employees receive from ``related organizations'' to the CDC, as
required to be reported on the IRS Form 990.
In addition, one commenter suggested that any reimbursement for
expenses that the employee receives that the IRS does not include as
compensation (``accountable expenses'') should not be reported as
income for SBA purposes. The commenter observed that the IRS Form 990
would not include any accountable expenses. SBA agrees that expenses
not reportable as compensation to the IRS may be excluded from the
CDC's report on compensation.
Finally, with respect to section 120.830(a)(4), several commenters
supported the proposed requirement that the report include the economic
development investments made in each state in which the CDC has an
outstanding loan, but requested clarification with respect to what
would constitute economic development. SBA notes that economic
development investment in the community could take many forms
including, but not limited to, investment in a foundation established
for economic development, direct investment through other loan programs
in the community, or investment in other economic development entities.
SBA would expect the investment report to include each investment by
type and amount. SBA is adopting section 120.830 as proposed.
7. Section 120.835 Application To Expand an Area of Operation
SBA proposed eliminating the requirement that a CDC have membership
in each state in a Multi-State expansion since the proposed revisions
to Section 120.822 make membership optional. A majority of the
commenters supported this change. Those opposed expressed the opinion
that membership in an area the CDC serves gives it a stronger
relationship with each state in a CDC's Area of Operations. In
addition, some of the commenters opposed felt that eliminating the
requirement for membership in each state would make it easier for a CDC
to move into a contiguous state which would dilute the pool of
potential projects within each state. As discussed above under section
120.822, similar arguments were made when CDCs were allowed to operate
statewide for projects, and that has not proven to be the case.
Further, SBA is retaining the requirements in current sections
120.835(c)(3) and 120.823(a) and (b), which together require a multi-
state CDC to have a loan committee in each State into which it expands
that meets local membership requirements. SBA is adopting this section
as proposed.
[[Page 15647]]
8. Section 120.852 Restrictions Regarding CDC Participation in the
Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program and the 7(a) Loan
Program
As discussed above, SBA is removing and reserving section 120.852,
and moving its content to section 120.820.
9. Section 120.920 Required Participation by the Third Party Lender,
and Section 120.925 Preferences
SBA proposed to revise section 120.920 to provide that if a Third
Party Lender requires a lien on collateral in addition to the Project
Property, the Third Party Lender, in the event of liquidation, must
first apply the proceeds from the sale of such additional collateral to
the balance on the Third Party Lender's loan. SBA believes that this
change could increase recoveries on the 504 loan. Commenters were
generally supportive of this change. Some commenters requested that SBA
clarify that the Third Party Lender does not have to liquidate
collateral that either no longer exists or has no recoverable value.
However, this language is in the Third Party Lender Agreement signed by
the Third Party Lender, and so there is no need to amend the
regulation.
Commenters were also generally supportive of SBA's proposal to
eliminate section 120.925 regarding Preferences. However, one commenter
was opposed to the elimination of this provision, arguing that the
Lender should not be permitted to have any type of Preference. A
Preference is defined as ``any arrangement giving a Lender or a CDC a
preferred position compared to SBA relating to the making, servicing,
or liquidation of a business loan with respect to such things as
repayment, collateral, guarantees, control, maintenance of a
compensating balance, purchase of a Certificate of deposit or
acceptance of a separate or companion loan, without SBA's consent.''
See Sec. 120.10 (Definition of ``Preference''). SBA recognizes that
there are other types of security that the Third Party Lender could
obtain for its loan in addition to a lien on additional collateral,
such as a guaranty or other arrangements for repayment, and that the
Third Party Lender should be required to comply with proposed section
120.920 for this collateral or security as well. Accordingly, SBA is
revising section 120.920 to apply the requirements of section 120.920
to any type of collateral or security that the Third Party Lender
obtains.
In addition, one commenter requested clarification as to the timing
of the sale of the collateral by the Third Party Lender. Under the
proposed regulation, the proceeds of any collateral held in addition to
the Project Property must be applied to the Third Party Lender's debt
prior to the proceeds of the Project Property. SBA agrees that
clarification would be helpful and is amending the final rule to
require that, unless otherwise approved in writing by SBA, the Third
Party Lender liquidate, or otherwise exhaust all reasonable avenues of
collection with respect to, the additional collateral or other security
no later than the disposition of the Project Property, and to apply any
proceeds received as a result of such Additional Collateral to the
balance outstanding on the Third Party Loan prior to the application of
proceeds from the disposition of the Project Property to the Third
Party Loan.
D. Section 120.882(a)--The ``9-Month Rule'' (Applies to 504 Loan
Program Only)
With respect to section 120.882(a), SBA proposed to eliminate
paragraph (a)(2) of this section which limits Project expenses eligible
for 504 Loan Program financing to those incurred within 9 months prior
to receipt by SBA of a complete loan application. As explained in the
proposed rule, SBA intends for this change to permit financings of
expenses toward a Project regardless of when they were incurred, so
long as they are directly attributable to the Project. SBA also
observed that there may be circumstances when an applicant might incur
short term debt to cover expenses directly attributable to a Project
that is eligible for financing under the 504 Loan Program. As stated in
the proposed rule, SBA believes that determining whether an expense has
been incurred by an applicant for a 504 project requires a fact
specific analysis which appropriate agency personnel need to make
regardless of when the expense was incurred.
All commenters expressed support for this change with one comment
seeking clarification as to whether long-term debt could be included in
a 504 project. Historically, the 504 Loan Program did not include debt
refinancing except in the limited circumstance where the debt was
``directly attributable'' to the Project and incurred within certain
time limitations. For example, under current SBA policy, the 504 loan
may refinance short term debt (known as ``bridge financing'') on the
Project land as long as the financing is for a term of 3 years or less.
See SOP 50 10 5(F), Subpart C, Chapter 2, Paragraph III.H.4.(a)(2)(b).
More recently, the 504 Loan Program was authorized to also permit
refinancing of debt unrelated to the Project so long as the Project
involved expansion of a small business concern (120.882(e)) and, on a
temporary basis, the refinancing of certain debt with no business
expansion required (120.882(g), the authority for which has expired).
Accordingly, the only type of debt that SBA permits to be financed
other than under Sec. 120.882(e) is ``bridge financing'' that is
directly attributable to the Project, and the elimination of the 9-
month rule is not intended to change this policy. SBA will continue to
determine whether expenses incurred prior to application were in fact
incurred for a 504 Project. SBA is adopting this provision as proposed.
Compliance With Executive Orders 13563, 12866, 12988, and 13132, the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612)
Executive Order 13563 and Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this
final rule is a ``significant'' regulatory action for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the next section contains SBA's
Regulatory Impact Analysis. However, this is not a major rule under the
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 800.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
SBA provided a detailed Regulatory Impact Analysis in the Proposed
Rule. No 7(a) lenders commented on costs, though several CDCs submitted
comments on increased program costs. SBA anticipates the 504 program
changes will have minimal impacts on costs to CDCs, including increased
costs in the program for corporate governance, reporting or increased
insurance, but may also result in an increase in the CDC's processing
and servicing fee income. SBA anticipates no impact on small entities
as a result of grandfather clauses in the final rule. Twenty-eight (28)
or 11% of CDCs expressed a concern under 120.823(e) about the increased
cost of insurance as proposed. SBA concurs with the CDC comments that
portfolio size should be considered and SBA should develop a sliding
scale for insurance costs. SBA will coordinate with CDCs and their
representatives and insurance underwriters when establishing the
insurance scale, which will be presented in the next update to SOP 50
10 after the Final Rule is effective. Due to the increase in the 504
debenture size to $5.5 million for energy public policy and
manufacturing projects, SBA
[[Page 15648]]
proposed increasing the insurance requirements for all CDCs. A large
CDC did not anticipate an increase in cost, due to its current
insurance level. Currently, only those CDCs that are in the Accredited
Lenders Program (ALP) have been required to have insurance of up to $1
million. For FY 12, there were an estimated 85 ALP CDCs, or 33%, that
are insured and 175 non-ALP CDCs, or 67%, which are not currently
required to have insurance by SBA. SBA estimates that the changes to
the eligibility requirements may increase the number of 504 loans a CDC
processes and, therefore, may increase processing and servicing fee
income by potentially 5-10% per CDC in the first year after the Final
Rule is effective, with an overall average of a 8% rate for the
national portfolio overall in the first year. As a sample, SBA reviewed
the insurance and fees of a large, medium and small CDC that commented
on increased insurance costs in comparison to anticipated fee income.
The proportional costs of insurance as compared to the expected
increase in processing and servicing fees appears to further justify a
sliding scale of insurance costs based on a CDC's portfolio size.
Five, or 2% of, CDCs expressed concerns under section 120.823(d)(6)
that there would be increased cost to a CDC for independent loan
reviews. SBA provided clarification language to address these concern.
CDCs are not required to hire independent loan reviewers, and may
comply by using independent loan reviewers who are internal to the CDC
as long as they are independent of the loan approval process.
Two CDCs commented that anticipated CDC costs would increase by
requiring the board to oversee investments over $2,500. SBA addressed
this concern by clarifying that this oversight is part of the CDC's
budget and financial review process.
SBA received two cost comments under section 120.102, both of which
referenced potential cost impacts to the SBA as a result of the
elimination of the personal resources test. One comment stated this
change would lower the costs to SBA. The other comment expressed a
concern that costs would increase for SBA. SBA estimates this rule
change will not impact the cost of program administration.
SBA received comments under sections 121.103 and 121.302 expressing
concern that the proposed affidavit as to affiliation was too
complicated and could result in increased costs to the borrower. As
indicated above, SBA has decided to further study the affiliation issue
and is not finalizing any changes to the affiliation standards at this
time.
One CDC expressed a concern about increased travel expenses due to
an increase in frequency of CDC board meetings. SBA has also proposed
to allow CDCs to meet via conference call and web conference to the
extent permitted by State law, which should minimize compliance costs
for CDCs.
One CDC expressed concern under sections 120.823(d)(12) and (d)(13)
that the CDC would need to hire a consultant to develop and oversee
internal controls for their CDC. One CDC expressed concern under
section 120.823(d)(5) that it is cost prohibitive for smaller CDCs to
provide audited financial statements. Smaller CDCs are only required to
provide reviewed financial statements, not audited financial
statements.
Executive Order 13563
A description of the need for this regulatory action and benefits
and costs associated with this action, including possible
distributional impacts that relate to Executive Order 13563, were
included in the Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866
that was published with the proposed rule. 78 FR 12633.
SBA's two primary business loan programs operate through the
agency's lending partners, which are 7(a) Lenders and CDCs. The agency
has held public forums and meetings which allowed it to reach hundreds
of its lending partners and gain valuable insight, guidance, and
suggestions from many of them and the trade associations which
represent many of them. The agency's outreach efforts to engage
stakeholders before proposing this rule were extensive.
Executive Order 12988
This action meets applicable standards set forth in Sections 3(a)
and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. The action does not
have retroactive or preemptive effect.
Executive Order 13132
SBA has determined that this final rule will not have substantial,
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, for
the purposes of Executive Order 13132, SBA has determined that this
final rule has no federalism implications warranting preparation of a
federalism assessment.
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C., Ch. 35
The SBA has determined that this final rule imposes additional
reporting and recordkeeping requirements, which will result in
amendments to the existing information collections identified below.
SBA solicited public comments on these amendments when the proposed
rule was published. SBA proposed to amend the currently approved CDC
Annual Report to require CDCs to report on executive compensation and
economic development projects, and to submit a copy of the CDC's tax
return. The rule also proposed to require each CDC director to certify,
as part of the CDC Annual Report, that he or she has read and
understands the requirements set forth in 13 CFR Sec. 120.823.
Finally, SBA proposed to make changes to the governance of CDC
membership; composition of CDC board of directors and to increase
insurance coverage.
As a result of these new requirements, SBA has amended the
following information collections:
1. Title and Description of Information Collection: The Certified
Development Company (CDC) Annual Report Guide (SBA Form 1253) provides
instructions to assist the CDC in preparing and submitting its Annual
Report, which provides information to SBA on economic development, and
the CDC's financial condition, operations and employment impact. OMB
Control Number: 3245-0074.
Description of and Estimated Number of Respondents: All CDCs must
provide an annual report. Currently there are approximately 260 CDCs.
There is 1 report per respondent. The burden estimate takes into
consideration the fact that respondents keep the information requested
in the ordinary course of business.
Estimated Number of Responses: 260.
Estimated Time per Response: SBA estimates the time needed to
complete this collection will average 28 hours per report.
Total Estimated Hour Burden: 260 x 28 hours = 7,280 total annual
burden hours. This is 168 hours less than the current OMB inventory
(7,488) as there are fewer CDCs than the last burden hour estimate for
this collection.
Since proposing changes to these information collections, SBA has
revised SOP 50 10, one of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
governing the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Some of the amendments to the
SOP will result in additional changes to SBA Forms 1919 and 1920, SBA
Form 1244, and SBA Form 1253 and will result in the
[[Page 15649]]
elimination of SBA Forms 4, 4-I and Form 4 Schedule A . The SOP changes
do not affect SBA Forms 2233 and 2234. SBA published notice in the
Federal Register soliciting public comments on these SOP-related
changes. See, 78 FR 53816 (August 30, 2013) and 78 FR 54362 (September
3, 2013); no comments were received from the public on the changes
brought about by the revised SOP. SBA has submitted the forms, as
revised to reflect the SOP changes, to OMB for review and approval, and
will make them available on the Agency's Web site at www.sba.gov soon
after obtaining OMB's approval. After this final rule becomes
effective, SBA will repost the forms as revised to conform to changes
made by this final rule.
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612
When an agency issues a rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, requires the agency to ``prepare and make
available for public comment a final regulatory analysis'' which will
``describe the impact of the final rule on small entities.'' Section
605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in lieu of preparing
an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Although the
rulemaking will impact all of the approximately 4,500 7(a) Lenders
(some of which are small) and all of the approximately 260 CDCs (all of
which are small), SBA does not believe the impact will be significant.
The grandfathering clauses in the final rule will not have an impact on
small entities. As provided previously in the cost analysis in the
Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), CDCs provided comments on the concern
on increased costs in insurance, board travel for meetings and
independent loan reviews. No 7(a) lenders comments on increased costs.
Information about the economic impact of this rulemaking can be found
in the RIA. As stated above, the final rule will expand access to the
business loan program but this will not increase the burden of the
agency's lending partners because they choose their own level of
program participation (i.e., 7(a) Lenders and CDCs are not required to
process more loan applications simply because more small businesses are
eligible to apply for a business loan). For those CDCs and lenders that
process more businesses loans, the benefit of the increase in revenue
will far exceed any increased burden. In addition, the elimination of
certain program participation requirements would not have a substantial
economic impact or cost on the small business borrower, lender or CDC.
In addition, in response to the comments that expressed concerns
about increased costs in insurance, SBA will develop a sliding scale
for insurance coverage to address CDC concerns of increased insurance
coverage to mitigate the potential of increased costs. To address the
concerns about the increased costs of board travel for meetings and
independent loan reviews, SBA's final rule has provisions for web-
conference and teleconference meetings that would mitigate CDCs costs
of board meeting traveling to meetings. CDCs are not required to hire
independent loan reviewers outside the CDC, as the independent loan
review may be internal to the CDC as long as the reviewer is
independent of the loan approval process. These changes should mitigate
any increase in costs that may be associated with this rulemaking.
SBA believes that this final rule is SBA's best available means for
facilitating American job preservation and creation by removing
unnecessary regulatory requirements. Since the main purpose of this
final rule is to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and program
eligibility criteria, a review of the preamble sections above will
provide additional detailed explanations regarding how and why this
final rule reduces regulatory burdens and responsibly increase program
participation flexibility. For these reasons, SBA has determined that
there is no significant impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
List of Subjects in 13 CFR part 120
Community development, Equal employment opportunity, Loan
programs--business, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Small
business.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, SBA amends 13 CFR part 120
as follows:
PART 120--BUSINESS LOANS
0
1. The authority for 13 CFR part 120 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), (b)(7), (b)(14), (h) and note,
636(a), (h) and (m), 650, 687(f), 696(3) and 697(a) and (e); Pub. L.
111-5, 123 Stat. 115, Pub. L. 111-240, 124 Stat. 2504.
Sec. 120.102 [Removed]
0
2. Remove Sec. 120.102.
Sec. 120.820 [Redesignated as Sec. 120.816]
0
3. Redesignate Sec. 120.820 as Sec. 120.816.
0
4. Add Sec. 120.818 to read as follows:
Sec. 120.818 Applicability to existing for-profit CDCs.
Unless expressly provided otherwise in the regulations, any Loan
Program Requirement that applies to non-profit CDCs also applies to
for-profit CDCs.
0
5. Add new Sec. 120.820 to read as follows:
Sec. 120.820 CDC Affiliation.
(a) A CDC must be independent and must not be affiliated (as
determined in accordance with Sec. 121.103 of this chapter) with any
Person (as defined in Sec. 120.10) except as permitted under this
section.
(b) A CDC may be affiliated with an entity (other than a 7(a)
Lender or another CDC) whose function is economic development in the
same Area of Operations and that is either a non-profit entity or a
State or local government or political subdivision (e.g., council of
governments).
(c) A CDC must not be affiliated (as determined in accordance with
Sec. 121.103) with or invest, directly or indirectly, in a 7(a)
Lender. A CDC that was affiliated with a 7(a) Lender as of November 6,
2003 may continue such affiliation.
(d) A CDC must not be affiliated (as determined in accordance with
Sec. 121.103 of this chapter) with another CDC. In addition, a CDC
must not directly or indirectly invest in or finance another CDC,
except with the prior written approval of D/FA or designee and D/OCRM
or designee if they determine in their discretion that such approval is
in the best interests of the 504 Loan Program.
(e) A CDC may remain affiliated with a for-profit entity (other
than a 7(a) Lender) if such affiliation existed prior to March 21,
2014. A CDC may also be affiliated with a for-profit entity (other than
a 7(a) Lender) whose function is economic development in the same Area
of Operations with the prior written approval of the D/FA or designee
if he or she determines in his or her discretion that such approval is
in the best interests of the 504 Loan Program.
(f) A CDC must not directly or indirectly invest in a Licensee (as
defined in Sec. 107.50 of this chapter) licensed by SBA under the SBIC
program authorized in Part A of Title III of the Small Business
Investment Act, 15 U.S.C. 681 et seq. A CDC that has an SBA-approved
investment in a Licensee as of November 6, 2003 may retain such
investment.
Sec. 120.822 [Removed]
0
6. Remove Sec. 120.822.
0
7. Revise Sec. 120.823 to read as follows:
[[Page 15650]]
Sec. 120.823 CDC Board of Directors.
(a) The CDC, whether for-profit or nonprofit, must have a Board of
Directors with at least nine (9) voting directors. A CDC may request
the approval of the D/FA or designee to have a Board with fewer
directors than 9 for good cause. SBA recommends that the CDC create a
Board with no more than 25 voting directors. The Board must be actively
involved in encouraging economic development in the Area of Operations.
The initial Board may be created by any method permitted by applicable
State law. At a minimum, the Board must have directors with background
and expertise in internal controls, financial risk management,
commercial lending, legal issues relating to commercial lending, and
corporate governance. Directors may be either currently employed or
retired. A CDC must have at least one voting director that represents
the economic, community or workforce development fields, and at least
two voting directors that represent the commercial lending field.
(b) At least two voting members of the Board of Directors, other
than the CDC manager, must possess commercial lending experience
satisfactory to SBA. When the Board votes on SBA loan approval or
servicing actions, at least two voting Board members, with such
commercial lending experience, other than the CDC manager, must be
present and vote.
(c) The Board of Directors must meet at least quarterly and shall
be responsible for the actions of the CDC and any committees
established by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of
Directors is subject to the following requirements:
(1) Except for the CDC manager, no person on the CDC's staff may be
a voting director of the Board;
(2) A quorum must be present to transact business. The quorum shall
be set by the CDC but shall be no less than 50% of the voting members
of the Board of Directors;
(3) Attendance at meetings may be through any format permitted by
State law;
(4) Directors from the commercial lending fields must comprise less
than 50% of the representation on the Board; and
(5) A CDC may not permit more than one of its Directors to be
employed by or serve on the Board of Directors of any other single
entity (including the entity's affiliates), unless that entity is a
civic, charitable, or comparable organization that is not involved in
financial services or economic development activities. No CDC Board
member may serve on the Board of another CDC in accordance with Sec.
120.851(b).
(d) The Board shall have and exercise all corporate powers and
authority and be responsible for all corporate actions and business.
There must be no actual or appearance of a conflict of interest with
respect to any actions of the Board. The Board is responsible for
ensuring that the structure and operation of the CDC, as set forth in
the Bylaws, comply with SBA's Loan Program Requirements. The
responsibilities of the Board include, but are not limited, to the
following:
(1) Approving the mission and the policies for the CDC;
(2) Hiring, firing, supervising and annually evaluating the CDC
manager;
(3) Setting the salary for the CDC manager and reviewing all
salaries;
(4) Establishing committees, at its discretion, including the
following:
(i) Executive Committee. To the extent authorized in the Bylaws,
the Board of Directors may establish an Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee may exercise the authority of the Board; however,
the delegation of its authority does not relieve the Board of its
responsibility imposed by law or Loan Program Requirements. No further
delegation or redelegation of this authority is permitted. If the Board
establishes an Executive Committee and delegates any of its authority
to the Executive Committee as set forth in the Bylaws of the CDC, the
Executive Committee must:
(A) Be chosen by and from the Board of Directors from the Board;
and
(B) Meet the same organizational and representational requirements
as the Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee must
have a minimum of five voting members who must be present to conduct
business.
(ii) Loan Committee. The Board of Directors may establish a Loan
Committee. The Loan Committee may exercise the authority of the Board
only as set forth below; however, the delegation of its authority does
not relieve the Board of its responsibility imposed by law or Loan
Program Requirements. If the Board of Directors chooses to establish a
Loan Committee, no CDC staff or manager may serve on the Loan
Committee. The Loan Committee must:
(A) Be chosen by the Board of Directors from the membership (if
any), shareholders or the Board;
(B) Have a quorum of at least five (5) committee members authorized
to vote;
(C) Have at least two members with commercial lending experience
satisfactory to SBA; and
(D) Have no actual or appearance of a conflict of interest,
including for example, a Loan Committee member participating in
deliberations on a loan for which the Third Party Lender is the
member's employer or the member is otherwise associated with the Third
Party Lender; and
(E) Consist of members who live or work in the Area of Operations
of the State where the 504 project they are voting on is located unless
the project falls under one of the exceptions listed in Sec. 120.839.
(5) Ensuring that the CDC's expenses are reasonable and customary;
(6) Hiring directly an independent auditor to provide the financial
statements in accordance with Loan Program Requirements;
(7) Monitoring the CDC's portfolio performance on a regular basis;
(8) Reviewing a semiannual report on portfolio performance from the
CDC manager, which would include, but not be limited to, asset quality
and industry concentration;
(9) Ensuring that the CDC establishes and maintains adequate
reserves for operations;
(10) Ensuring that the CDC invests in economic development in each
of the States in its Area of Operations in which it has a portfolio,
and approving each investment. If the investment is included in the
CDC's budget, the Board's approval of the budget may be deemed approval
of the investment. If the investment is not included in the budget, the
Board must separately approve the investment;
(11) Establishing a policy in the Bylaws of the CDC prohibiting an
actual conflict of interest or the appearance of same, and enforcing
such policy (see Sec. 120.140 and Sec. 120.851);
(12) Retaining accountability for all of the actions of the CDC;
(13) Establishing written internal control policies, in accordance
with Sec. 120.826;
(14) Establishing commercially reasonable loan approval policies,
procedures, and standards. The Bylaws must include any delegations of
authority to the Loan Committee and Executive Committee, if either
Committee has been established. In addition, the CDC must establish and
set forth in detail in a policy manual its credit approval process. All
504 loan applications must have credit approval prior to submission to
the Agency. The Loan Committee, if established, may be delegated the
authority to provide credit approval for loans up to $2,000,000 but,
for loans of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, the Loan Committee's action must
be ratified by the Board or Executive
[[Page 15651]]
Committee prior to Debenture closing. Only the Board or Executive
Committee, if authorized by the Board, may provide credit approval for
loans greater than $2,000,000.
(15) All members of the Board of Directors must annually certify in
writing that they have read and understand this section, and copies of
the certification must be included in the Annual Report to SBA.
(e) The Board of Directors shall maintain Directors' and Officers'
Liability and Errors and Omissions insurance in amounts established by
SBA that are based on the size of the CDC's portfolio and other
relevant factors.
0
8. Amend Sec. 120.830 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 120.830 Reports a CDC must submit.
* * * * *
(a) An Annual Report within one hundred-eighty days after the end
of the CDC's fiscal year (to include Federal tax returns for that
year). A CDC that is certified by SBA within 6 months of the CDC's
fiscal year-end is not required to submit an Annual Report for that
year. The Annual Report must include, but is not limited to, the
following:
(1) Audited or Reviewed Financial Statements as required in Sec.
120.826(c) and (d) for the CDC and any affiliates or subsidiaries of
the CDC.
(i) Audited financial statements must, at a minimum, include the
following:
(A) Audited balance sheet;
(B) Audited statement of income (or receipts) and expenses;
(C) Audited statement of source and application of funds;
(D) Such footnotes as are necessary to an understanding of the
financial statements;
(E) Auditor's letter to management on internal control weaknesses;
and
(F) The auditor's report; and
(ii) Reviewed financial statements must, at a minimum, include the
following:
(A) Balance sheet;
(B) Statement of income (or receipts) and expenses;
(C) Statement of source and application of funds;
(D) Such footnotes as are necessary to an understanding of the
financial statements;
(E) The accountant's review report; and
(2) Report on compensation: CDCs are required to provide detailed
information on total compensation (including salary, bonuses and
expenses) paid within the CDC's most recent tax year for current and
former officers and directors, and for current and former employees and
independent contractors with total compensation of more than $100,000
during that period.
(3) Certification of members of the Board of Directors. Written
annual certification by each Board member that he or she has read and
understands the requirements set forth in Sec. 120.823.
(4) Report on investment in economic development. Written report on
investments in economic development in each State in which the CDC has
an outstanding 504 loan.
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec. 120.835 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 120.835 Application to expand an Area of Operations.
* * * * *
(c) A CDC seeking to become a Multi-State CDC must apply to the SBA
District Office that services the area within each State where the CDC
intends to locate its principal office for that State. A CDC may apply
to be a Multi-State CDC only if the State the CDC seeks to expand into
is contiguous to the State of the CDC's incorporation and the CDC
establishes a loan committee in that State meeting the requirements of
Sec. 120.823.
Sec. 120.852 [Removed and Reserved]
0
10. Remove and reserve Sec. 120.852.
0
11. Amend Sec. 120.882 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 120.882 Eligible Project costs for 504 loans.
* * * * *
(a) Costs directly attributable to the Project including
expenditures incurred by the Borrower (with its own funds or from a
loan) to acquire land used in the Project, or for any other expense
directly attributable to the Project, prior to applying to SBA for the
504 loan;
* * * * *
0
12. Amend Sec. 120.920 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 120.920 Required participation by Third Party Lender.
* * * * *
(b) Third party loan collateral. The 504 loan is usually
collateralized by a second lien on Project Property. The Third Party
Lender may obtain additional collateral or other security for the Third
Party Loan (``Additional Collateral'') only if in the event of
liquidation and unless otherwise approved in writing by SBA:
(1) The Third Party Lender liquidates or otherwise exhausts all
reasonable avenues of collection with respect to the Additional
Collateral no later than the disposition of the Project Property, and
(2) The Third Party Lender applies any proceeds received as a
result of the Additional Collateral to the balance outstanding on the
Third Party Loan prior to the application of proceeds from the
disposition of the Project Property to the Third Party Loan.
Sec. 120.925 [Removed and Reserved]
0
13. Remove and reserve Sec. 120.925.
Marianne O'Brien Markowitz,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-06237 Filed 3-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P