Bond Guarantee Program

1

CDFI Bond Guarantee Program

Qualified Issuer Application

FY 2014

Introduction

Under the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, an entity that wishes to be designated by the CDFI Fund as a Qualified Issuer must submit a Qualified Issuer Application.

The Applicant must provide all required information in its Qualified Issuer Application to establish that it meets all criteria for designation as a Qualified Issuer and can carry out all Qualified Issuer responsibilities and requirements. Such responsibilities and requirements include, but are not limited to, information that demonstrates that the Applicant has the appropriate expertise, capacity, and experience and is qualified to make, administer and service Bond Loans for Eligible Purposes. After receipt of a Qualified Issuer Application, the CDFI Fund may request additional, clarifying, confirming or supplemental information on the materials submitted as part of the Qualified Issuer Application. Please note: the Applicant must currently meet the criteria established in the regulations that govern the program, set forth at 12 C.F.R. 1808 (the Regulations) to be deemed a Qualified Issuer. Applications that are forward-looking or speculate as to the eventual acquisition of the required capabilities and criteria are unlikely to be approved.

In order to understand the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program and the roles and responsibilities of the Qualified Issuer, interested parties should review and become familiar with the Regulations. In addition, Applicants should review and become familiar with the Notice of Guarantee Availability (NOGA), published with respect to FY 2014 Qualified Issuer Applications and Guarantee Applications. Before beginning to prepare a Qualified Issuer Application, prospective Applicants should review and become familiar with the Qualified Issuer Application Guidance, which contains detailed information and formatting instructions. The Regulations, the NOGA, and the Qualified Issuer Application Guidance may be found on the CDFI Fund’s website at www.cdfifund.gov. Capitalized terms in the Qualified Issuer Application are defined in the Regulations.

For purposes of the Qualified Issuer Application, the term “Applicant” refers to the applicant organization as well as any Affiliates and third-party entities (i.e., the proposed Program Administrator and the proposed Servicer) that seek to participate in performing the duties of the Qualified Issuer during the term of a Bond.

The Qualified Issuer Application must contain all required documentation regarding the Applicant. In addition, certain information must be provided with respect to at least one Certified CDFI, which must attest that it has designated the Applicant to serve as Qualified Issuer on its behalf.

Application documents will be submitted electronically through myCDFI Fund. The Qualified Issuer Application must follow the standardized naming convention for individual files as well as the file organization detailed in the Qualified Issuer Application Guidance.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and an individual is not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Qualified Issuer Application has been assigned the following control number: 1559-0044. Expiration Date: 12/31/2013.

Application Requirements

To be deemed complete, the Qualified Issuer Application must include information for each of the sections 1 through 8 as set forth below. The Applicant must provide a narrative addressing the requirements of Sections 3 using the template provided on the CDFI Fund’s website, as well as additional supporting documentation as is necessary or appropriate. Please note that the requirements of the narrative portion of the application are in addition to any supporting documentation or separate requirements of the Qualified Issuer Application. Detailed instructions for uploading additional evidence or attachments for each section of the Qualified Issuer Application are described below.

Document Format

Documentation should be submitted in Microsoft Word, unprotected Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF, or other mediums as appropriate. Certain information will be required in the Narrative section of the application, while other section will require the applicant to upload specific documents such as policies and procedures, charts, or other items. Please follow the file naming conventions and descriptions listed in this document.

Missing or Not Applicable Documentation

If a specific document is not applicable or otherwise not available, the Applicant must submit a placeholder file stating that the requested document is “Not Applicable,” “Not Performed,” or “None” in place of the file, as appropriate. The placeholder file must retain the naming convention of the respective file it was meant to replace. See Figure 1 for an example.

Figure 1: Sample Documentation Stating Non-ProvisionX

Document Organization and Submission

An organization applying to become a Qualified Issuer must create a MyCDFIFund account for its organization and assign a user according to the instructions found on www.cdfifund.gov/MyCDFI. Once completed, the Applicant can login to its account and choose “Qualified Issuer Application” from the list of possible applications. X

Carefully follow the instructions found on MyCDFIFund and upload the application documents following the naming conventions and descriptions listed below in this Qualified Issuer Application. Applications will be submitted via the MyCDFIFund portal and all documents must be uploaded according to the specified file structure.

Figure 2: Screenshot of File Upload Interface

NOTE: myCDFIFund cannot accept files larger than 15 megabytes. If any files such as PDFs are larger than 15MB, please save and upload the files in multiple parts.

The application process is completed by submitting a “Signature Page”; after submitting the Signature Page, you will not be able to make any edits to the Qualified Issuer Application unless requested to do so by the CDFI Fund. Once the Signature Page has been submitted, print a copy of the Submission Status Page, which will include your Qualified Issuer Application Control Number, and retain this for your records.

Your Qualified Issuer Application Control Number follows the format ##-BQI-######.

If you require assistance or have any questions, please call at (202)-653-0376, or email at [email protected]

Qualified Issuer Application Checklist

Section	Document	Included	Format
QI-1	Checklist		PDF
QI-2	Organizational Documents SF-424 (with Certifications and Assurances) signed by Qualified Issuer applicant SF-424 (with Certifications and Assurances) signed by proposed Program Administrator, if third-party SF-424 (with Certifications and Assurances) signed by proposed Servicer, if third-party SF-424 (with Certifications and Assurances) signed by Certified CDFI(s), as applicable Notice designating Qualified Issuer signed by Certified CDFI, if applicable EIN/TIN letter from IRS, as applicable Articles of Incorporation By-Laws Licenses Errors and omissions insurance certificate		PDF (All)
QI-3	Narrative Discussion Organization Capability – Qualified Issuer Organization Capability- Program Administrator Organization Capability- Servicer Strategic Alignment Management and Staffing Financial Strength		Word (All)
QI-4	Organization Capability – Bond Issuance Servicer’s most recent SSAE16 or similar review Independent reports Information Technology systems documentation Internal controls and policies Credit, Underwriting, and Servicing Policies		PDF (All)
QI-5	Strategic Alignment Strategic or Operational Plan Conflicts of Interest policies Ethics policies		PDF (All)
QI-6	Management and Staffing Overall Organizational Structure (Entities and Affiliates) Organizational Chart (Positions) Management or operating agreement Resumes of Key Management and Personnel Staffing Data		PDF PDF PDF PDF Excel
QI-7	Financial Strength Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency Three (3) year history of financing transactions Three (3) year history of earned revenues Current loan covenants and Three (3) year history of compliance with covenants Portfolio Quality Report Three (3) year history of Off-Balance Sheet Activities Three (3) years of audits and management letters Most recent interim financial statements Next Year’s Budget (Unregulated Institutions) Three (3) year projection of financial position (Unregulated Institutions)		Excel Excel Excel Excel Excel Excel PDF PDF Excel Excel
QI-8	Cash Flows and Pricing Structure Sample Bond Issue cash flow model Sample Proposed Sources and Uses of Funds Pricing Structure		Excel (All)

Documentation Checklist Contents

The following sections provide descriptions and naming conventions for the requested documentation for the Qualified Issuer Application. Please note that, to provide consistency among all Qualified Issuer Applications, each item has a specific naming convention that must be followed.

Item	Discussion	Format	Naming Convention
			QI-1: Table of Contents and Checklist

Checklist

The Applicant must submit the Qualified Issuer Application Checklist as part of the application materials in myCDFIFund. Print out the preceding two (2) pages, scan, and submit.

PDF

QI-1-Checklist

Item	Description	Format	Naming Convention
	QI-2: Organizational Documents Contact Information This may consist of only a single scanned copy of the Standard Form 424 (SF-424) with the following sections filled out: Applicant legal name Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) DUNS number Mailing address, including 9-digit zip code Contact name, email address, and telephone number Contact position/title Authorized Representative name, email address, and telephone number Authorized Representative position/title Signature The entity must initial the Federal Assurances and Certifications for the SF-424. PDF, Template provided by CDFI Fund QI-2A-QI SF424 Program Administrator Contact Information If the role of Program Administrator is being performed by an entity other than the applicant to be a Qualified Issuer, an SF-424 and associated documents must be provided for each entity.

PDF, Template provided by CDFI Fund

QI-2B-PA

Servicer Contact Information

If the role of Servicer is being performed by an entity other than the applicant to be a Qualified Issuer, an SF-424 and associated documents must be provided for each entity.

PDF, Template provided by CDFI Fund

QI-2C-Servicer

Certified CDFI Contact Information

An SF-424 and associated documents must be provided for at least one Certified CDFI that is designating the applicant to be a Qualified Issuer on its behalf.

PDF, Template provided by CDFI Fund

QI-2D-CDFI SF-424

Notice Designating Qualified Issuer

A notice by at least one Certified CDFI designating the Qualified Issuer to issue Bonds on its behalf. Note: this designation is akin to a “nomination” and is not binding.

PDF, Template provided by CDFI Fund

QI-2E-Designation

EIN/TIN

Provide a copy of the proof of EIN/TIN from the IRS.

PDF

QI-2F-IRS Letter

Articles of Incorporation

Provide a copy of the Qualified Issuer’s Articles of Incorporation.

PDF

QI-2G-Articles

By-Laws

Provide a copy of the Qualified Issuer’s by-laws.

PDF

QI-2H-ByLaws

Licenses

A document identifying licenses required by the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency that govern the Applicant, if applicable.

PDF

QI-2I-Licenses

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance certificate of coverage

A document displaying the certificate of coverage for Errors and omissions insurance.

PDF

QI-2J-Insurance

Item	Description	Format	Naming Convention
QI-3: Narrative Discussion

3A- Organizational Capacity for Bond Issuance

Describe the Applicant’s capabilities to serve as a Qualified Issuer and its ability to deploy Bond Proceeds and Bond Loan proceeds. This description of capabilities must demonstrate that the Applicant has the appropriate expertise, capacity, and experience to originate, underwrite, service, and administer loan portfolios that serve Eligible Purposes and are targeted toward Low-Income Areas and Underserved Rural Areas.

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 15,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

3B- Program Administrator Qualifications and Capabilities

Provide information to demonstrate the capability, expertise and experience of the entity serving in the role of Program Administrator. Applicants should specifically address the proposed Program Administrator’s management and organization, loan administration, and financial capability. Applicants should also specifically address the duties of the Program Administrator as enumerated in 1808.606(b).

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 15,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

3C- Servicer Qualifications and Capabilities

Provide information to demonstrate the respective capability, expertise and experience of the entity serving in the role of Servicer. Applicants should specifically address the proposed Servicer’s management and organization, loan servicing, and financial capability. Applicants should also specifically address the duties of the Servicer as enumerated in 1808.606(c).

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 15,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

3D- Strategic Alignment Narrative

Summarize the Applicant’s overall strategy, experience with the CDFI Industry, and alignment with the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program’s goals. How does the Bond Guarantee Program fit into the Applicant’s overall strategy?

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 12,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

3E- Management and Staffing Narrative

Describe the Applicant’s overall management, staffing history, and projected needs with regards to fulfilling the roles of the Qualified Issuer, Program Administrator, and Servicer functions. Provide relevant information for any third-party entities that will carry out these activities.

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 12,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

3F- Financial Strength Narrative

Provide information that demonstrates the Applicant’s financial strength, stability, and capacity to fulfill the roles of the Qualified Issuer, Program Administrator, and Servicer functions. If any third-party entities will carry out these activities, please provide the relevant financial information for each organization.

Additional narrative requirements are found in the Narrative Template. The character limit for this topics is 12,000 characters.

Narrative Template, provided by the CDFI Fund

QI-3-Narrative

Item	Discussion	Format	Naming Convention
			QI-4: Organizational Capacity for Bond Issuance

Most recent Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements 16 (SSAE 16), and, if available, any third party rating history

A copy of the most recent Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements 16 (SSAE 16) for the Servicer. Include, if available, any third party rating reports relevant to servicing.

PDF

QI-4A-SSAE16

Independent Reports

If a third-party is proposed to perform the role of the Program Administrator or Servicer, provide the most independent report of the third-party organization. Each report should have a separate file.

PDF

QI-4B-Report Name where “Report Name” is the title of the report.

IT Environment documentation

Documentation describing the IT system environment of the Applicant, in relation to program administration, servicing, and monitoring. Include any backup or disaster plans, as well as any written documents relating to information technology policies and procedures. Include comparable documentation for third-party Servicers or Program Administrators, if any.

PDF

QI-4C-IT Environment

Management activities and documentation retention procedures

Documentation of internal controls as well as procedures for documenting management decisions, and retention of documents relating to loan servicing and administration. Include comparable documentation for third-party Servicers or Program Administrators, if any.

PDF

QI-4D-Controls and Documentation

Credit,Underwriting, and Servicing Policies

Documentation of credit, underwriting, and servicing policies and procedures. Include comparable documentation for third-party Servicers or Program Administrators, if any.

PDF

QI-4E-Policies and Procedures

Item

Description

Format

Naming Convention

QI-5: Strategic Alignment

Strategic or Operational Plan

Provide a copy of the Applicant’s strategic, business, or operational plan.

PDF

QI-5A-Strategic Plan

Conflicts of Interest

A document identifying any actual or potential conflicts of interest an Applicant would have in performing as a Qualified Issuer. Include the interests of the Applicant’s parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies. The Applicant must also describe the specific steps it would take to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize any such conflicts.

PDF

QI-5B-COI

Ethics Policies

A document identifying the Applicant’s ethics and compliance policies including any procedures, training materials, and audit practices designed to detect and prevent violations of Federal and state laws and conflicts of interest. If the Applicant has a risk or compliance officer, a description of the person’s responsibilities and an assessment of whether the person operates independently from the Applicant’s decision-makers who manage the Bond Issues.

PDF

QI-5C-Ethics

Item

Description

Format

Naming Convention

QI-6: Management and Staffing

Organizational Structure Guide

Provide a scanned copy of the Applicant’s network of affiliates or subsidiaries which indicates the relationship between the entities (i.e. ownership, control, etc.) Include a similar file for the third-party Servicer or Program Administrator, if any.

PDF

QI-6A-Organizational Structure

Organizational Chart

Provide a scanned copy of the management hierarchy down to individual or manager level, as appropriate to the Applicant. Both individual names and titles should be indicated as well as any vacancies. Include the management hierarchy of third party Servicers, or Program Administrators, if any.

PDF

QI-6b-Org Chart

Management or Operating Agreement

If the Qualified Issuer is managed by a separate organization, a scanned copy of the signed Management Agreement should be included. If there is only a letter of intent, provide a scanned copy of the letter. If not appropriate, then place “None” in place of the file name in the Table of Contents.

PDF

QI-6C-Management Agreement

Resumes of Key Management and Personnel

Resumes, job descriptions, and hire/ascension data down to the manager or senior level, as appropriate.

Include the above for third-party Servicers and Program Administrators, if applicable.

PDF

QI-6D-Resumes

Staffing Data

Provide an excel table indicating key statistics for the Applicant, such as retention, average tenture, and other relevant factors. For the managers identified in the section above, indicate whether the individiuals have any outside employment or serve on other board memberships. Include contingencies, key man insurance, and any succession planning data as appropriate.

Excel

QI-6E-Staffing Data

Item

Description

Format

Naming Convention

QI-7: Financial Strength

Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency

List any Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or Appropriate State Agency which oversees the operations of the Applicant. Please indicate the identifying number by which the organization’s call report or similar financial data can be retrieved from its regulator.

Excel

QI-7A-Regulator

Financing Transactions

Provide sufficient instances of transactions for the most recent three years indicating the Applicant is a financing entity for transactions with a cumulative value of $100 million. Include the type and dollar value of transactions.

Excel

QI-7B-Transactions

Earned Revenues

List the sources, dollar value, and percentage of the applicant’s earned revenues for the past three (3) years.

Excel

QI-7C-Revenues

Loan Covenant Compliance Report

A listing of all financial and operating performance covenants with an indication of actual versus prescribed levels for the past three (3) years. Any violations of covenants should be accompanied by a discussion of remediation actions and waivers if provided.

Excel

QI-7D-Covenant Compliance

Portfolio Quality Report

Provide summary statistics about the organization’s portfolio quality for the past three (3) years. List all loans approved during this time period that have exceeded 30 days past due, are an exception to underwriting standards, or have been subject to a special servicing action. Identify any loans that have been purchased from another lender or acquired from a subsidiary during this time period.

Excel

QI-7E-Portfolio

Off-Balance Sheet Contingencies

A report for the past three (3) years showing all off-balance sheet contingencies. For current contingencies, including the amount and an estimate of the chances for the contingency resulting in a formal liability.

Excel

QI-7F-Contingencies

Most Recent Three Years Audited Financial Statements and Management Letters

The last three financial audits should be submitted as separate files. Note, the financial statements should be prepared by an independent accounting firm and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Also note that each year should be scanned separately and he notes to the audits for each year and management letters should be included. If appropriate, the statement should show consolidating schedules as an attachment or supplemental information.

If a newer audited financial statement becomes available during the application review period, the Qualified Issuer must notify the CDFI Fund in a timely manner and provide the updated information.

Provide comparable financial statements for third-party Servicers and Program Administrators, if any.

PDF

QI-7G-YYYYMMDD Audit” where the YYYY is the four-digit year of the statement, the MM is the two-digit month and the DD is the two-digit day. For example: “QI-7G-20111231 Audit”

Most Recent Interim Statement

Provide the most recent interim financial statement, whether audited or internally prepared.

PDF

QI-7H-Interim Financial-YYYYMMDD

Item

Description

Format

Naming Convention

QI-7: Financial Strength (Unregulated Organizations Only)

Following Year’s Budget

The approved budget for the next year should be submitted, if applicable. The budget should contain a comparison of current operations to that budget and any approved modifications to the budget. If a budget has not been approved, provide reasonable estimates and the basis for such estimates.

Excel

QI-7I-Budget

Projections

Provide three (3) years of forward looking estimates for financial position and activities.

Excel

QI-7J-Projections

Item

Description

Format

Naming Convention

QI-8: Cash Flows and Pricing Structure

Sample Bond Issue cash flow model

The Applicant should provide a sample working cash flow model of a sample Bond Issue if the Applicant is not submitting this Qualified Issuer Application concurrently with a Guarantee Application. If submitted concurrently with a Guarantee Application, please include the a copy of the actual cash flow model.

The cash flow model should track the flow of funds through the Qualified Issuer and Eligible CDFIs and through the term of the sample Bond Issue. This financial model should include disbursement and repayments for Bonds, Bond Loans, and Secondary Loans, as well as associated interest, fees, and other costs. The cash flow model should also demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of the Relending Fund if utilized.

The cash flow should reflect expected upfront and ongoing costs and revenues associated with Qualified Issuer activities under the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.

Excel

QI-8A-Sample Model

Sample Proposed Sources and Uses of Funds

If this Qualified Issuer Application is not submitted concurrently with a Guarantee Application, the Applicant should provide a consolidated chart that details the specific uses and timing of disbursement of a sample Bond Issue.

Excel

QI-8B-Sample Sources and Uses

Pricing Structure for Bond Issuance, Servicing, and Program Administration

A table describing the level of effort and pricing related to the all-in costs of submitting a Guarantee Application, Bond issuance, servicing, and program administration. The Applicant should represent the Bond Issuance Fees as a percentage (in basis points) of the aggregate principal amount of the Bond Issue and the costs for servicing and program administration in terms of basis point additions to the interest rate of a Bond Issue.

All fees shall be paid for by Eligible CDFIs participating in the Bond Guarantee Program, and in no instance shall program participants have recourse to the CDFI Fund for any debts or liabilities arising from their participation. Although the pricing structure and fees shall be decided by negotiation between market participants, the CDFI Fund will review a potential Qualified Issuer’s pricing structure for soundness with proper implementation of the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.

Excel

QI-8C-Issuance Costs