Establishment of Maximum Interest Rate, 41056-41057 [2018-17764]

Download as PDF 41056 [FR Doc. 2018–17765 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–C DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Establishment of Maximum Interest Rate Rural Housing Service, USDA. ACTION: Request for information. AGENCY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) seeks public comments on updating the provisions of the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP), specifically regarding the maximum interest rate, its impact on loan making to potential SFHGLP borrowers, and possible changes to the interest rate cap. RHS is soliciting input regarding the maximum interest rate to help the Agency determine whether the interest rate cap should be modified in order to support the agency’s mission to offer applicants, who are unable to secure the credit necessary for such housing from other sources under conventional credit terms, an opportunity to acquire new or existing housing for use as a primary residence; finance the repair and rehabilitation costs associated with the purchase of the home; and refinance an existing Section 502 loan to lower the interest rate. These opportunities are provided to applicants under terms and conditions which the applicant can reasonably be expected to fulfill. DATES: Written Comments: Interested parties must submit written comments on or before October 16, 2018. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in either paper or electronic format by the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow instructions for submitting comments. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comments addressed to Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 0784, Room 2250, Washington, DC 20250–1522. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, at kate.jensen@wdc.usda.gov or (503) 894– 2382. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background RHS delivers programs authorized by the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1472 et seq.) (Housing Act). The preamble to the Housing Act declares that every American deserves a ‘‘decent home and a suitable living environment.’’ RHS guarantees a variety of housing loans for home purchases, repair, and rental housing development in rural areas. The SFHGLP provides low- and moderate-income borrowers access to mortgage credit by guaranteeing loans issued by agencyapproved private sector lenders. Loans may finance the full construction and acquisition cost of a property up to 100 percent of the appraised value. Mortgages have 30-year terms and fixed rates negotiated with the lender that cannot exceed an interest rate cap that is determined by the Agency. Financing may also be used to refinance existing USDA guaranteed or direct loans. The program maintains its neutral or slightly negative subsidy status through guarantee and annual loan fees. Request for Comment Stakeholder input is vital to ensure that the maximum interest rate continues to support the agency’s mission and not overly burden SFHGLP lenders and their customers. Currently, the maximum allowable interest rate is defined in Section 7.3.B of the program handbook (available at https:// PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 www.rd.usda.gov/files/35551chapter07.pdf) as the current Fannie Mae posted yield for 90-day delivery (Actual/Actual), plus one percent for 30year fixed rate conventional loans, rounded up to the nearest one quarter of one percent. The Agency is considering whether to modify the maximum interest rate and would like stakeholder feedback on the issue. The following questions and discussion items are posed to guide stakeholder comments. Where possible, RHS requests that comments include specific suggestions regarding ways to improve existing programs and delivery mechanisms and eliminate or minimize the duplication of RHS’s regulation and policies with work performed by other entities, including federal, state, and local agencies. RHS welcomes pertinent comments that are beyond the scope of these questions. 1. Should the Agency continue with the requirement that the maximum allowable interest rate shall not exceed the current Federal National Mortgage Association posted yield for 90-day delivery (Actual/Actual) plus one percent for 30-year fixed rate conventional loans, rounded up to the nearest one quarter of one percent? 2. Should the Agency consider indexing the maximum allowable interest rate to a source other than the Federal National Mortgage Association? 3. Should a higher maximum allowable interest rate cap be established? If so, what maximum rate is recommended, and why? 4. Does the current maximum interest rate create any barriers to loan making in eligible rural areas? If so, how and under what circumstances? 5. What effect would increasing or eliminating the maximum interest rate have for loan originators and borrowers in underserved populations and rural communities? 6. If the maximum allowable interest rate cap were to be increased or E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1 EN17AU18.023</GPH> Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 eliminated, what protections exist to prevent consumers from being overcharged? 7. If the maximum allowable interest rate is raised or removed, what steps should the Agency take to monitor lenders to ensure that borrowers are not overcharged? COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– 3027, found online at https:// www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632–9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. SUMMARY: Dated: August 13, 2018. Joel C. Baxley, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 2018–17764 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Delaware Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of monthly planning meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a planning meeting of the Delaware State Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call, on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss preparation of the Committee’s report on implicit bias and policing in communities of color in Delaware. DATES: Monday, September 17, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). ADDRESSES: Public Call-In Information: Conference call number: 1–800–210– 9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy L. Davis, at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested members of the public may listen to the discussion by calling the following tollfree conference call number: 1–800– 210–9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the conference call operator may ask callers to provide their names, their organizational affiliations (if any), and email addresses (so that callers may be notified of future meetings). Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number herein. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the discussion by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the operator with the toll-free conference call number: 1–800–210–9006 and conference call ID: 4124362. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office approximately 30 days after each scheduled meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425, or emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41057 additional information may contact the Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376– 7533. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing as they become available at https://facadatabase.gov/committee/ meetings.aspx?cid=240; click the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’ links. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meetings. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above phone number, email or street address. Agenda Monday, September 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. I. Welcome and Introductions Rollcall II. Planning Meeting Discuss Project Report III. Other Business IV. Adjournment Dated: August 13, 2018. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2018–17734 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Virginia Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that a meeting of the Virginia Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by conference call at 12:00 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. The purpose of the meeting is for Committee members to continue discussing plans for the in-person briefing on hate crimes in VA— incidences and responses. DATES: Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: Public call-in information: Conference call-in number: 1–800–474– 8920 and conference call 8310490. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivy Davis at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–376–7533. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41056-41057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17764]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Establishment of Maximum Interest Rate

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) seeks public 
comments on updating the provisions of the Single Family Housing 
Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP), specifically regarding the maximum 
interest rate, its impact on loan making to potential SFHGLP borrowers, 
and possible changes to the interest rate cap. RHS is soliciting input 
regarding the maximum interest rate to help the Agency determine 
whether the interest rate cap should be modified in order to support 
the agency's mission to offer applicants, who are unable to secure the 
credit necessary for such housing from other sources under conventional 
credit terms, an opportunity to acquire new or existing housing for use 
as a primary residence; finance the repair and rehabilitation costs 
associated with the purchase of the home; and refinance an existing 
Section 502 loan to lower the interest rate.
    These opportunities are provided to applicants under terms and 
conditions which the applicant can reasonably be expected to fulfill.

DATES: Written Comments: Interested parties must submit written 
comments on or before October 16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in either paper or electronic format by the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow instructions for submitting comments.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comments 
addressed to Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, Single Family 
Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, USDA Rural Development, 1400 
Independence Avenue, STOP 0784, Room 2250, Washington, DC 20250-1522.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Jensen, Finance and Loan Analyst, 
at [email protected] or (503) 894-2382.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    RHS delivers programs authorized by the Housing Act of 1949, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 1472 et seq.) (Housing Act). The preamble to the 
Housing Act declares that every American deserves a ``decent home and a 
suitable living environment.'' RHS guarantees a variety of housing 
loans for home purchases, repair, and rental housing development in 
rural areas. The SFHGLP provides low- and moderate-income borrowers 
access to mortgage credit by guaranteeing loans issued by agency-
approved private sector lenders. Loans may finance the full 
construction and acquisition cost of a property up to 100 percent of 
the appraised value. Mortgages have 30-year terms and fixed rates 
negotiated with the lender that cannot exceed an interest rate cap that 
is determined by the Agency. Financing may also be used to refinance 
existing USDA guaranteed or direct loans. The program maintains its 
neutral or slightly negative subsidy status through guarantee and 
annual loan fees.

Request for Comment

    Stakeholder input is vital to ensure that the maximum interest rate 
continues to support the agency's mission and not overly burden SFHGLP 
lenders and their customers. Currently, the maximum allowable interest 
rate is defined in Section 7.3.B of the program handbook (available at 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/3555-1chapter07.pdf) as the current 
Fannie Mae posted yield for 90-day delivery (Actual/Actual), plus one 
percent for 30-year fixed rate conventional loans, rounded up to the 
nearest one quarter of one percent. The Agency is considering whether 
to modify the maximum interest rate and would like stakeholder feedback 
on the issue.
    The following questions and discussion items are posed to guide 
stakeholder comments. Where possible, RHS requests that comments 
include specific suggestions regarding ways to improve existing 
programs and delivery mechanisms and eliminate or minimize the 
duplication of RHS's regulation and policies with work performed by 
other entities, including federal, state, and local agencies. RHS 
welcomes pertinent comments that are beyond the scope of these 
questions.
    1. Should the Agency continue with the requirement that the maximum 
allowable interest rate shall not exceed the current Federal National 
Mortgage Association posted yield for 90-day delivery (Actual/Actual) 
plus one percent for 30-year fixed rate conventional loans, rounded up 
to the nearest one quarter of one percent?
    2. Should the Agency consider indexing the maximum allowable 
interest rate to a source other than the Federal National Mortgage 
Association?
    3. Should a higher maximum allowable interest rate cap be 
established? If so, what maximum rate is recommended, and why?
    4. Does the current maximum interest rate create any barriers to 
loan making in eligible rural areas? If so, how and under what 
circumstances?
    5. What effect would increasing or eliminating the maximum interest 
rate have for loan originators and borrowers in underserved populations 
and rural communities?
    6. If the maximum allowable interest rate cap were to be increased 
or

[[Page 41057]]

eliminated, what protections exist to prevent consumers from being 
overcharged?
    7. If the maximum allowable interest rate is raised or removed, 
what steps should the Agency take to monitor lenders to ensure that 
borrowers are not overcharged?

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: August 13, 2018.
Joel C. Baxley,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17764 Filed 8-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
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