2020 SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
OMB Control No. 0575-0179
A. Justification
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary:
The Housing and Community Facilities Program (HCFP), hereinafter referred to as the “Agency,” is a credit agency for the Rural Housing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers supervised credit programs to build modest housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. This regulation prescribes the policy necessary to process Rural Housing loan guarantees to low- and moderate- income applicants.
Section 517 (d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue loan guarantees for the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other structures in rural areas.
The purpose of the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) is to assist low and moderate-income individuals and families in acquiring or constructing a single-family residence in designated rural areas with loans originated and serviced by private lenders. Eligibility for this program includes very low, low, and moderate-income families or persons whose income does not exceed 115 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary.
The SFHGLP was authorized under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act and the Agency issued a final rule implementing the SFHGLP on April 17, 1991 under 7 CFR Part 1980-D. The program launched as a pilot in 20 States on May 17, 1991 and was offered nationwide in 1992. During the implementation process, the Agency explored methods of improving the program to structure it for use in the mortgage lending community.
On May 22, 1995, the Agency published a final rule amending 7 CFR Part 1980-D incorporating changes to encourage greater a participation by lenders and the secondary market for mortgage loans.
Over the years, the volume of the SFHGLP increased substantially. In response to stakeholder feedback requesting reduced regulations, improved customer service, and greater efficiency, and effectiveness in delivering and managing the SFHGLP, the Agency published a proposed rule as 7 CFR Part 3555, “Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program,” in the Federal Register on December 15, 1999 (64 FR 70123). This rule retired 7 CFR Part 1980-D and replaced it with 7 CFR Part 3555 in December of 2014.
In response to comments to the published rule, the Agency has made changes deemed appropriate to eliminate many unnecessary barriers to homeownership, provide greater flexibility to underwrite creditworthy borrowers and clarify underwriting requirements. A technical handbook provides the details in delivering and managing the program in accordance with the final published rule.
The publication 7 CFR 3555 enables the Agency to better perform our mission of expanding affordable housing throughout America by providing more flexibility to mortgagees by reducing procedural requirements, enhancing, condensing and streamlining the paper process, improve customer service, reach more homebuyers by removing barriers, and allow the Agency to achieve greater efficiency, flexibility and effectiveness in managing the guaranteed program. The intended outcome is to provide a better program to serve low- and moderate-income borrowers+ and reduce public burden.
Because the Agency extends credit through loan guarantees, it is necessary to collect information from both a potential homebuyer and lender. All information collected is vital for the Agency to determine if borrowers qualify for all assistance for which they are eligible. Information requested of lenders is required to ensure lenders are eligible to participate in the SFHGLP. Lender requirements are in compliance with OMB Circular A-129, “Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-tax Receivables”.
The Agency loan guarantee is used to offset the lender’s risk of originating loan-to-value ratio loans in rural areas and is not intended to offset risks that stem from inadequate employment, credit history, or substandard property condition. Lenders must provide the Agency with clear and accurate information so Agency staff can promptly determine if the loan qualifies for a loan guarantee.
Information from a homebuyer includes financial documents such as confirmation of household income, assets and liabilities, a credit record, evidence the homebuyer has adequate repayment ability for the loan amount requested and if the condition and location of the property meet program guidelines. All information is necessary to confirm the homebuyer qualifies for all assistance for which they are eligible.
In accordance with OMB Circular A-129, Agencies must make sure that lenders and servicers participating in Federal Credit programs meet all applicable financial and programmatic requirements. To ensure these standards are met, the Agency must collect documentation that demonstrates the lender’s ability to originate, underwrite, service and report loans in accordance with Agency program guidelines is collected. Information collected must support that a participating lender has a high standard of demonstrated ability to originate and service sound loans and operates in a prudent and businesslike manner.
Lenders are responsible for servicing guaranteed loans and protecting their security interests. The Agency expects lenders to perform those servicing actions that a reasonable and prudent lender would perform in servicing its portfolio of non-guaranteed loans. Reports from lenders must be submitted electronically on a monthly basis to report defaults and a quarterly basis to report the status of the SFHGLP portfolio. The Agency uses monthly reports to monitor loans in default and lender performance. Quarterly reports provide loan-level detail for all SFHGLP loans in a lender’s portfolio. Effective loan portfolio management begins with oversight of the risk in individual loans. The Agency’s reporting requirements confirm if the lender continues to comply with program guidelines of high-quality origination, underwriting and servicing.
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the Agency has made of the information received from the current collection:
To participate in the program lenders must submit to standards which ensure the loan objectives of the SFHGLP are met which are to grant loan guarantees to qualified lenders who approve mortgage loans on a sound and collectible basis to eligible individuals and families, while serving the legitimate credit needs of the communities in rural areas. The lender submits qualifications to the Agency and enters into an agreement that outlines both the lender and Agency’s commitments and responsibilities under the guaranteed program. Confirmation of those qualifications is necessary to ensure the lender possesses a high standard of demonstrated ability to originate service, hold and report loans in accordance with Agency guidelines. In the future, lenders that are federally supervised will not be required to submit additional paperwork as evidence of demonstrated ability.
The lender works independently with applicants to ensure the applicant meets all eligibility criteria for the guaranteed program; including reviewing the application, processing and underwriting the loan. Approved lenders may utilize agents or third-party providers to assist with the origination process. The approved lender remains responsible for obtaining a commitment and loan note guarantee.
Once a loan applicant’s mortgage request is underwritten by an approved lender, the loan request is submitted to the Agency for review. Technology and automation have increased the Agency’s ability to offer electronic loan submission and underwriting services. Current utilization of the Electronic Customer File (ECF) system and the Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) indicate approximately 98% of all guaranteed loan requests are submit electronically through GUS to the Agency for review. The Agency has a regulatory workplan in clearance for the mandatory use of the Agency’s automated systems. Electronic submissions could greatly reduce the documentation a lender submits for review based on the GUS underwriting findings report.
For every loan request delivered to the Agency, the lender must establish that the applicant meets the income eligibility criteria of the SFHGLP, has the ability to repay the debt for the requested mortgage loan; is willing to repay the debt based upon credit history; the property is sufficient security for the mortgage and the property is in an eligible rural area. Although the lender must underwrite the applicant and property information to ensure that the loan meets all program criteria, the Agency must review the electronic loan file to ensure that loans to be guaranteed meet SFHGLP requirements. Provided the Agency review indicates the loan meets all program requirements, the Agency will agree to guarantee the loan, subject to any conditions provided for in the Agency’s written commitment to the lender.
Although the Agency issues loan guarantees, lenders that have been approved to participate in the program are held to due diligence with responsibility for originating, underwriting, servicing and liquidating SFHGLP loans. This information is utilized for lender and portfolio monitoring ensuring the integrity of the loan program is maintained.
A key part of the guaranteed program is offering a loss payment to lenders who fulfill their responsibilities under the program and incur losses as a result of a failed loan. To ensure lenders have upheld the loan portfolio objectives of the SFHGLP, lenders must complete a marketing summary and report of loss accompanied by supportive evidence documenting their efforts to secure, preserve, manage and dispose of acquired property to collect on any loss incurred. Supportive documentation ensures approved lenders acted timely and prudently when responding to defaulted loans and confirms properties while in the custody of the lender are effectively and prudently managed and maintained. The collection of this information ensures the objectives and mission of the SFHGLP is upheld.
The guaranteed program has grown from a $100 million program in Fiscal Year (FY) 1991 at birth to $24 billion in annual appropriations as of FY 2019. Budget authority from FY 2017 through FY 2019 transformed into nearly 350,000 new rural homebuyers nationwide. The absence of other competing programs in the mortgage industry has created an awareness and acceptability of the SFHGLP with lender partners. Based upon projection volumes in the future, the SFHGLP could continue to deliver the volume experienced in past fiscal years.
The specific collection of information is set forth in the final rule of 7 CFR Part 3555 and expanded upon in accompanying technical handbooks. There is an increased movement, within the industry, towards electronic forms and documentation eliminating the need for paper forms. Only burden over and beyond that which a prudent lender would customarily require in providing non-Agency loans to the public, is included. Any burden created by other Government regulations or laws are not included in this package and are considered in the scope of the lender’s normal business procedures. The specific information collection burden to be cleared with this regulation is described below:
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – NO FORMS:
Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). A URAR is one of the most common forms of valuation utilized in the mortgage industry allowing for standard reporting and analysis of single-family dwellings. The most current incarnation of the URAR is the Fannie Mae form 1004, updated in March 2005. It considers a full appraisal with all three approaches to value – cost approach, sales comparison approach and income approach. It requires an interior and exterior inspection of the subject property supported by a street map of the subject property and comparables, an exterior building sketch and clear, descriptive photographs of the subject property and comparable sales used in the analysis. Each loan guarantee must be supported by an appraisal. The appraisal provides the basis for determining the value of the loan security. The calculation of the loan guarantee is based on the appraised value of the property that is security for the mortgage. Use of the URAR is utilized mortgage industry wide. The “Market Conditions Addendum” is no longer required and Agency guidelines were revised on October 2019. Lenders are held accountable for the integrity, accuracy and thoroughness of the appraisals. The success of the guaranteed program and the Agency’s ability to minimize any potential loss is based upon the integrity, accuracy and thorough analysis of the appraisal report obtained from lenders. The additional burden is to make and provide a copy of the completed appraisal to the Agency. The lender also has the option to submit this report electronically. In the future the Agency will require submissions to be in XML dataset format. Paper submissions will no longer be supported.
Inspections. Inspections of new and existing dwellings will be performed by a party the lender determines to be qualified. Dwelling requirements, for the most part, are standard in the industry and do not place an additional burden on the lender except in some cases, additional inspections may be required on newly constructed homes when imposed by state law or building municipalities. Lenders are required to certify that the dwelling meets the Agency’s thermal standards for new construction and that inspection, in accordance with RD Instruction, have been performed.
New Construction Inspections. New dwellings financed under the guaranteed program must be designed and constructed in accordance with certified plans and specifications and must meet the thermal standards specified by the Agency. To ensure acceptable construction quality, the lender’s permanent case file must contain evidence that the plans and specifications comply with all applicable development standards of new construction, contain evidence of construction inspections and provide at least a one year warranty plan or 10 year insured builder warranty plan, both acceptable to Rural Development. While the Agency will not require the lender to submit documentation maintained in the lender’s file regarding new construction, the Agency has the option to request this information in appropriate situations such as when:
The Agency is performing a processing review for a new lender.
The Agency is performing a period review of the Lender’s compliance with program regulations.
The agency believes that the lender is not fulfilling the obligations of the Lender Agreement and/or program regulations.
The agency is reviewing a loss claim.
Existing Dwelling Inspections. Existing dwellings must be inspected to determine that the dwelling meets the current requirements of Housing Urban and Development (HUD) Handbook 4000.1. The lender has the option to choose either an appraisal performed by a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) roster appraiser, who by designation can confirm the property meets minimum standards; or to obtain an appraisal performed by a licensed and certified appraiser not on the FHA roster and a home inspection. Regardless of whether the appraisal is completed by an appraiser on the FHA roster or by a licensed or certified appraiser not on the FHA roster, the lender must obtain documentation indicating the existing dwelling requirements have been met:
Water quality analysis, if served by an individual water supply.
Septic system evaluation, if served by an individual septic system. An FHA roster appraiser may perform such an evaluation.
Any repairs necessary for the dwelling to be structurally sound, functionally adequate and in good repair.
Pest inspection, if required by the lender, appraiser, inspector, or State law.
Standard Credit Documentation. Each request for Loan Note Guarantee must be supported by a mortgage loan application and sufficient information for the underwriter to reach an informed decision about whether to approve the mortgage loan request. Standard credit documentation should include a copy of the sales contract (applicable to purchase transactions only) and any other information needed to verify, clarify or substantiate information in the applicant’s mortgage loan application. Lenders utilize industry recognized forms to verify an applicant’s employment, income, assets and credit. The equivalent of other types of documentation may be used such as obtaining a verbal verification of employment (supported with W-2’s and earning statements) in lieu of a written confirmed verification of employment utilizing industry recognized forms, documenting handicapped or disabled applicant with a letter or award letter from Social Security in lieu of a form; or obtaining two months of bank statements in lieu of an actual verification of deposit form. Credit documents support the lender’s decision to approve the mortgage application. Since the lender is responsible for the integrity and accuracy in the underwriting file, the Agency relies on the lender’s judgment in determining when the use of alternative documentation sources is appropriate in lieu of actual written confirmation through use of an industry recognized form. During the normal course of mortgage lending business, the lender would collect sufficient information to determine eligibility, repayment and creditworthiness of a loan applicant.
Transfer and Assumptions. Lenders must obtain written concurrence from the Agency prior to consenting to a transfer of a property securing a guaranteed loan with an assumption of the outstanding debt to a program eligible applicant. The lender must also notify the Agency if a borrower transferred a property without the lender’s and Agency’s approval or transfers the property without assumption of the debt.
Assumptions in the program are rare since the transferor is not released from liability. The Agency estimates that the total number of lenders and borrowers who may be involved in a transfer and assumption will be minimal since, in most instances, it would be more beneficial for all parties to obtain a new loan to purchase the property.
Annual Fee (Lenders). Authorities granted to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), via Public Law (P.L.) 111-212, Section 102 (July 29, 2010), in which the Secretary may collect from the lender an annual fee not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan is implemented effective with new purchase and refinance transactions obligated on or after October 1, 2011 (FY 2012). The purpose of the annual fee is to make the SFHGLP subsidy neutral, thus eliminating the need for taxpayer support of the program. The fee will be calculated annually, and the lender will be notified of the annual fee for the next 12 months period and billed thereafter each year on the anniversary date of the loan. Payment is due to the Agency by the 15th calendar day after the bill is generated. A late fee of 4 percent of the annually billed amount will be assessed on the 15th calendar day after the bill is generated. If the fee remains unpaid after 30 days, an additional late fee may be accessed on the unpaid fee amount. The fee will be collected through Pay.Gov.
Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Status and Borrower Default Status Reporting. Information reported by the lender/servicer allows the Agency to monitor the lender and program performance. The Agency developed a mechanism (electronic data interchange) for lenders to report their portfolio to the Agency electronically in an industry recognized standard format on a monthly basis. All mortgage servicers use electronic methods via an electronic transaction set or manual web page submission that allows them to report servicing information electronically. All participating servicing lenders report electronically with no paper-based reporting. Electronic reporting greatly reduces reporting burden from paper-based reporting.
Servicing Plan. A Final Rule published December 26, 2019, implemented changes to streamline the loss claim process for lenders that acquired title to property through voluntary liquidation or foreclosure. Loss mitigation tools must be utilized where appropriate to reduce losses to the government and assist the borrower in retaining homeownership. The lender should make every possible effort to assist borrowers who are experiencing temporary financial hardship and are willing to cooperate in resolving a default situation. Once the loan becomes 90 days delinquent an avenue other than foreclosure will be pursued. The lender must prepare a servicing plan that will expeditiously bring the account current and submit it electronically to the Agency prior to implementing any action with the borrower. The changes in the Final Rule, effective April 24, 2020, eliminate the nine- month marketing period, estimated net recovery loss claims (ENR) and disposition plans of Real Estate Owned (REO) properties. Lenders are required to submit complete loss claim packages electronically within 60 days of foreclosure, acquisition or possession date of the security property. The process implements a streamlined approach in processing timely loss claim payments to lenders. The elimination of the ENR option also removes the need for lenders and the Agency to monitor Future Recovery payments.
Overpayment Notification. The SFHGLP was authorized under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act and the Agency issued a final rule implementing the SFHGLP on April 17, 1991 under 7 CFR Part 1980-D. No new loans are authorized for interest assistance since the program no longer receives funding. To grant continued interest assistance, the lender will periodically update financial information with the borrower and determine the continued qualification of the borrower for interest assistance. The lender submits the interest assistance calculation to the Agency for review and approval.
When interest assistance is granted, the borrower enters into an agreement with the Agency to repay a portion of that assistance (recapture) when the dwelling is sold, title is transferred or the borrower ceases to occupy the property. When recapture is triggered, the lender must notify the Agency and request information regarding the amount of interest assistance that could be subject to recapture. The recapture amount is calculated based upon a payoff date.
Borrowers may receive more interest assistance than they were eligible for as a result of misreported household income, calculation errors, or failure on the part of the borrower to report income increases. The difference between the amount of interest assistance the borrower received and the amount that would have been received at the properly calculated interest rate constitutes an overpayment. When it is discovered that the Government overpaid its portion of interest assistance, the lender is required to report the overpayment to the Agency and take action to repay the overpayment. Based upon historical information, incidents of overpayment of interest assistance have occurred in extremely rare occasions.
Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs). The Tax Reform Act of 1984 authorizes MCCs to provide housing assistance through a tax credit to families with low and moderate incomes. The MCC entitle the “first-time” homebuyer to non-refundable Federal income tax credits thereby reducing the borrower’s Federal income tax liability. The MCC enhances the applicant’s repayment ability because the amount of the monthly MCC can be deducted from the proposed mortgage payment.
The process of obtaining the MCC is not a burden imposed by the Agency. The burden clearance is for providing the Agency with required documentation to substantiate and demonstrate the borrower has an approved MCC.
Buydown Account. Under special provisions, a temporary funded buydown account may be utilized to enhance repayment ability in the early years of the mortgage loan. Additionally, applicants can buy down the rate of interest charged on the mortgage loan permanently. The burden clearance is for providing the Agency with required documentation to substantiate and demonstrate the borrower has a buydown account which meets the requirements of the rule. Respondent represent the lenders requesting and reporting the funded buydown. In FY 2019, 33 lenders processed a buydown.
Mineral Leases and Partial Releases. A lender may consent to the lease of minerals rights or a partial release of security, such as selling or exchanging a partial piece of property or granting a right-of-way provided a benefit to the borrower is derived from the action. This type of action requires prior approval of Rural Development. A lender will develop the necessary written documentation to support a request. Documentation is similar to that of the industry in like transactions. The burden clearance is for assembling and submitting the request to Rural Development. In 2019, 46 requests were submitted for Agency approval.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS - FORMS APPROVED WITH THIS DOCKET:
“Sample Worksheet for Calculating Maximum Loan Amount -Single Close Repair and Rehabilitation Loans.” A Final Rule was published on July 22, 2019 for Combination Construction to Permanent Loans. This rule also allows eligible loan funds to be used for the repair and rehabilitation along with the purchase of an existing dwelling. The form was created at the request of lenders as an optional resource tool to assist in the calculation of the maximum loan amount for these types of purchase with repair transactions. The form is for the sole purpose of providing lenders with a helpful tool. It is optional and lenders are not required to submit or retain this document in their permanent loan file.
Form RD 3555-11, “Guaranteed Rural Housing Lender Record Change.” Lenders are responsible for servicing SFHGLP loans and protecting their security interest. Lenders that do not wish to hold or service SFHGLP loans may sell them to any approved lender, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac. The lender that holds the loan may choose to contract with a third party to service its loans. Whenever lenders sell SFHGLP loans or contract servicing responsibilities to a third party, the transferring lender must inform the Agency of the occurrence. This type of transfer is most common. Another type of transfer may be a forced transfer, based upon withdrawal of lender approval.
Transfer of Servicer. When more than one loan is being sold to the same lender, or when the servicer on more than one loan is being changed to the same servicer, the lender need only prepare one form and attach a list of borrowers affected. This may occur when a servicer sells their portfolio (or a portion thereof) to another servicer, or when a merger or acquisition occurs. Within the guaranteed serviced portfolio this has become a more frequent occurrence with many industry lenders ceasing business, merging with others or is forced out of business by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reporting a large number of failed banks. The annual number of respondents for subsequent transfers has risen significantly in past years due to mortgage industry uncertainties and lenders ceasing to continue business.
Forced Transfer. The Agency expects lenders to perform those servicing actions that a reasonable and prudent lender would perform in servicing its portfolio of non-guaranteed loans. When the Agency withdraws a lender’s approval, any SFHGLP loans held by the lender must be sold within six months to an Agency-approved lender. Notification of the transfer of servicing activities to an Agency approved lender is accomplished with the use of this form. Limited action of this type of occurrences have happened in the past and therefore the Agency expects only a limited number of cases where a lender would be required to transfer its loan servicing to another lender. It is estimated no more than 4 lenders will be required to transfer its loan servicing. It is estimated, based upon historical data approximately 2,000 SFHGLP portfolio per lender is transferred. It is estimated the lender takes 30 minutes to assemble the information, prepare the form and submit the record change to Rural Development. When the entire portfolio is involved, the request is written and requires only the transferor and transferee information as the Agency can transfer an entire portfolio of a lender in one action. Therefore, the estimated Lender Record Changes per lender is equal to the number of respondents who are forced or request an entire portfolio to be transferred to another approved lender.
Form RD 3555-16, “Agreement for Participation in Single Family Housing Guaranteed/Insured Loan Programs of the United States Government.” To participate in the SFHGLP, the lender submits Form RD 3555-16, “Agreement for Participation in Single-Family Housing Guaranteed/Insured Loan Programs of the United States Government” with supporting documentation to Rural Development. This form is the Agreement between the Agency and the lender. It provides the basis for making and servicing Agency guaranteed loans and reflects the standard lender agreement promoted by the Department of Treasury, Financial Management Services, and the Office of Management and Budget.
The program relies on lenders to make sound underwriting decisions. Because the Agency does not underwrite the loans it guarantees, lenders that apply for loan guarantees must originate, underwrite, service and hold loans responsibly. To ensure that these standards are met, the Agency must approve a lender before it participates in the SFHGLP.
The application package includes evidence the lender has a demonstrated ability to originate, underwrite and service single-family mortgages and meets the criteria set forth in 7 CFR Part 3555. Supplemental documentation supporting the lender meets the standards of qualification to participate in the SFHGLP includes evidence that neither the lender nor any of the lender’s principal officers have been suspended or debarred from participation in Federal programs; complete contact information for retail and wholesale operations; an outline of underwriting criteria; a quality control plan; evidence of the underwriter(s) qualifications and experience; and evidence training on the SFHGLP has occurred.
Form RD 3555-21, “Request for Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee.” The lender must submit a complete loan application package that demonstrates the general loan, applicant, and site eligibility requirements of the 7 CFR part 3555 are met prior to issuance of a Conditional Commitment for Loan Note Guarantee. This form summarizes the details of the proposed loan to be guaranteed and requires the lender to certify that all eligibility requirements have been met. The lender is responsible for working with the application to ensure all necessary documentation is obtained to satisfy the requirements for loan eligibility. The information collected represents the same information for other mortgage loan products and is usual and customary. Therefore, it is not considered an additional burden to the lender. The applicant is required to read and execute the form to certify to the conditions of the program. In addition to repayment income, which is standard to the mortgage industry, the lender must calculate the qualifying income and compare it to the income limits to determine program eligibility.
Form RD 3555-18, “Conditional Commitment for Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee.” The Agency completes a review of the complete loan application package confirming the general loan, applicant and site meets eligibility requirements of the program submitted by the approved lender. If the agency review indicates that the loan meets all program requirements, the Agency will agree to guarantee the loan, subject to any conditions noted on this form. This form is issued to the lender and outlines the terms and conditions the lender must meet to obtain a Loan Note Guarantee. It allows the lender to proceed to closing.
Once loan closing occurs, the lender utilizes the reverse pages of this form entitled “Lender Certification” to certify compliance to the conditions set forth by the Agency as issuance. This form, along with supportive documentation is submitted to the Agency post closing when the lender requests the actual Loan Note Guarantee.
Form RD 3555-17, “Loan Note Guarantee.” To issue a Loan Note Guarantee, the lender must transmit the required guarantee fee, certify the loan was closed in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in Form RD 3555-18, provide copies of closing documents validating the loan closed with the proper lien position, confirm development is complete in accordance with 7 CFR 3555 and validate the loan is current at request.
With information received by the lender, if the Agency determines the loan closed in accordance with Agency requirements, the Loan Note Guarantee may be issued. This form is issued by the Agency to the lender and provides the terms and conditions of the guarantee. One guarantee for each loan guaranteed is issued to the lender. The lender maintains the Loan Note Guarantee until the loan is paid in full or otherwise terminated. If a transfer by Assumption Agreement occurs, the lender utilizes this form to record and report the transferee and date of occurrence. Since the transferor is not released from liability of the loan, this feature is seldom exercised.
Form RD 3555-12, “Master Interest Assistance and Shared Equity Agreement with Promissory Note.” The SFHGLP was authorized under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act and the Agency issued a final rule implementing the SFHGLP on April 17, 1991 under 7 CFR Part 1980-D. To implement the program, it began as a pilot program in 20 States on May 17, 1991. In 1992, the SFHGLP was offered on a nationwide basis. The 1991 pilot provided interest assistance to eligible borrowers to enhance their repayment ability. To qualify to receive assistance, the borrower must have executed Form RD 3555-12. The form provides the basis for continued eligibility for the assistance, future payment and the determining factors surrounding recapture of interest assistance granted during the life of the guarantee. The form is used only for loans funded with interest assistance. Since interest assistance has not been funded since 1991 and it is not expected to be funded in the near future, no responses are expected.
Form RD 3555-13, “Annual Interest Assistance Agreement.” For those remaining that were eligible under the pilot implementation of the SFHGLP described earlier in this form is used to determine the amount of interest assistance the borrower is eligible to receive in the forthcoming agreement year. The lender is responsible for conducting annual and interim reviews of household income to ensure that households continue to be eligible to receive interest assistance and that the amount of assistance provided is correct. The lender provides the form to the borrower, who completes Section II, executes the form to affirm information reported and supports it with documentation validating the information reported. The form is returned to the lender. The lender verifies reported information, calculates adjusted income and determines the borrower’s continued eligibility and amount of interest assistance. The form is submitted to the Agency for approval and renewal of the interest assistance agreement. The Agency reviews the lender’s calculations and processes the update.
Form RD 1910-5, “Request for Verification of Employment.” The lender may utilize an industry accepted form or method of verifying income or as an optional method, the lender may use Form RD 1910-5 to confirm employment/income. Mortgage lenders utilize forms available in the industry provided by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (both secondary market sources) or other optional methods of obtaining supporting documentation referenced in the Uniform Residential Loan Application Credit Package portion of the burden. Since burden of this form has been captured in the standard credit documentation package portion, burden reporting for this program for use of this form has been captured.
Form RD 1980-19, “Guaranteed Loan Closing Report.” This form is not required for lenders utilizing the automated lender loan closing system to submit loan closing packages electronically. This form is only used when lenders to manually submits a loan closing package to request a Loan Note Guarantee. The report, which is submitted within 30 days of the loan closing, confirms the loan met all conditions set forth in Form RD 3555-18. The lender provides supportive documentation confirming the loan was properly closed and remits the guarantee fee to the Agency. The respondents are the lenders who have closed loans requesting a Loan Note Guarantee.
Form RD 1944-4, “Certification of Disability or Handicap.” The lender may utilize an industry accepted form or method of verifying the disability or handicap of an applicant or member of the applicant’s family or as an optional method, the lender may use Form RD 1944-4. This form may be utilized when the lender is seeking to establish eligible medical expenses as deductions to the annual income calculation. Mortgage lenders utilize forms available in the industry provided by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (both secondary market sources) or other optional methods of obtaining supporting documentation referenced in the Uniform Residential Loan Application Credit Package portion of the burden. Since burden of this form has been captured in the standard credit documentation package portion, burden reporting for this program for use of this form has been captured.
Form RD 1944-62, “Request for Verification of Deposit.” The lender may utilize an industry accepted form or method of verifying assets of an applicant for the purpose of establishing annual income or as compensating factors in the underwriting decision or as an optional method, the lender may use Form RD 1944-62. Mortgage lenders utilize forms available in the industry provided by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (both secondary market sources) or other optional methods of obtaining supporting documentation referenced in the Uniform Residential Loan Application Credit Package portion of the burden. Since burden of this form has been captured in the standard credit documentation package portion, burden reporting for this program for use of this form has been captured.
Form RD 1924-25, “Plan Certification.” The lenders permanent loan file must contain evidence of certified plans and specifications. The lender may elect to utilize Form RD 1924-25 as an optional format to document certification. Other options include obtaining a building permit or a certificate of occupancy.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS - FORMS APPROVED UNDER OTHER OMB NUMBERS:
FEMA 81-93, “Standard Flood Hazard Determination.” The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 mandates that flood insurance coverage be purchased for improved real property located in a Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). This document is a onetime official declaration of flood zone status printed on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standard Flood Hazard Determination form. It identifies the FEMA assigned flood zone designations, for a subject property address, based upon the current flood insurance rate maps published by FEMA. Any federally regulated lending industry entity is required to statutorily implement the mandatory purchase provisions of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and other key legislation that governs the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Most mortgage applications are affected. Information from this form is utilized by the Agency to complete an environmental assessment of the proposed property prior to issuance of a commitment to an approved lender. Burden of this form has been captured in the standard credit documentation portion of this burden reporting for the SFHGLP. Approved under OMB No.1660-0040.
RECORDKEEPING
Additionally, lenders must maintain record of all payments and disbursements paid on the obligation while the Agency has potential liability. The lender should also maintain a record of all servicing actions, relevant post-closing documents, and all borrower notices and correspondence.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden:
Electronic Default and Status Reporting. Advancements in technology have allowed the Agency to accept electronic reporting by lenders for monthly defaults portfolio status. In FY 2002, the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) was developed with a provision for web reporting for those small lenders with less than 100 guaranteed loans in their portfolio. Lenders with portfolios of 100 or more loans send EDI X12 files for transaction set (TS) 203, Secondary Mortgage Market Investor Report, and TS 264, Mortgage Loan Default Status – both which are standard for industry reporting. This process replaced the previous paper reporting for monthly defaults and annually portfolio reports which was very labor intense.
Automated Loss Claim Processing. The Agency developed an Automated Loss Payment system, for use by employees, to electronically track property servicing plans and payment of loss claim to lenders. The ability to utilize the electronic system for loss claim payments is available to all approved servicers. With the publication of the Loss Claim – Loss Mitigation (LC/LM) Final Rule, servicers will be required to access the Automated Loss Claim Payment system using e-authentication credentials. Instead of forwarding a claim for input by the centralized branch that process loss claim requests, lenders input information collected to generate a claim payment. The system has threshold edits requiring data verification by a centralized branch responsible for the loss claim process. The information input by the lender is uploaded to the centralized branch, which confirms the information input and renders a payment decision based upon the data input. This automated process eliminates 100% review of all claims input by the lender, except for specific threshold edit items and allowed a direct payment to the lender, as long as no threshold edits resulted from the electronic submittal. The burden to submit the entire supporting documentation and the Report of Loss Claim form was eliminated, except for documentation submitting edits triggered when inputting the loss claim request into the electronic system.
Electronic Loan Closing and Electronic Payment of Fees. Lenders may input loan closings electronically through an Internet web-based transaction to the Agency. This transaction allows a lender to electronically submit information regarding closed guaranteed loans directly to the SFHGLP office responsible for validating information and establishing the case on the guaranteed data base as a closed loan meeting guaranteed loan program requirements. Additionally, lenders submit the guarantee and technology fees to the Agency through an automated clearinghouse (ACH) method developed by the U.S. Treasury called pay.gov. The burden to lenders is significantly reduced by utilizing the electronic method. The automated system has eliminated the necessity of completing and certifying to Form RD 1980-19 and generating a paper check to represent the fee as the closing and fee will be electronically processed. As of FY 2019 over 98% of all loan closings are submit through the electronic loan closing system.
Automated Underwriting System. In order to explore methods to decrease the amount of paper required to process a loan while increasing efficiency and decreasing operating costs and staffing requirements, the Agency pursued an automated underwriting decision system for submitting and processing Rural Development guaranteed loans. The web-based system makes it easier and faster for customers to process and submit guaranteed loans through electronic submittal to the Agency. The system streamlines and automates the application process, automates credit decision-making, and automates the program eligibility determination including the determination of eligible rural lending areas using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) mapping data. The automated system has brought the program’s loan origination process to present mortgage industry standards. It has improved performance tracking of the portfolio and enhanced overall market acceptance of the program. Lenders will have the option of utilizing this web-based streamlined system or continuing to submit a paper package to the SFHGLP office until further notice. As of FY 2019, over 98% of the loan volume was through utilization of the electronic underwriting system.
Loss Mitigation. As a result of the LC/LM Final Rule, the Agency requires approved Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) lender/servicers to exercise loss mitigation techniques to the fullest extent possible when servicing defaulted loans under the SFHGLP. The Agency expanded upon their Loss Claim process by developing a web-based automated system for lenders/servicers and employees to track proposed servicing plans. Participating lender/servicers will electronically complete the service plan required of a loss mitigation action, submit supporting documentation and view the status of their request electronically. This process will result in 100% electronic submittal of loss mitigation servicing plans.
Future Technological Enhancements Planned to Replace an Existing Paper Process. The Agency continues to strive towards the electronic process with the elimination of any unnecessary paper burden. As the Agency further develops the automated underwriting system allowing access by brokers and integration of the system with large partner’s origination systems, a greater percentage of loans will be processed electronically. The electronic loan closing is available to all approved lenders and 98% of all loan closings are electronically transmitted. The Agency has established an electronic image capability, which allows the attachment of any credit documents, thereby eliminating any necessity to provide paper documents. This process streamlines issuance of Forms RD 3555-18 and 3555-17 that allows the Guaranteed Loan System to automatically and electronically send the forms to the lender upon approval of their loan request. Thus, eliminating the need to electronically sign a form, save and attach the executed document to a message. It is not implausible that the future delivery of the SFHGLP could be 100% paperless.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above:
There are no standard Government forms that the Agency can utilize in gathering information beyond those the Agency has already adopted. Due to the different requirements of other guaranteed loan programs and statutory requirements, there are no similar forms that collect the data needed from the external customer on a standard form that can be utilized by all programs.
The information is collected on a case-by-case basis. There is no similar information available to the Agency that could be used or modified for these purposes.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (item 5 of OMB Form 83-1), describe any methods used to minimize burden:
The collection of this information does not have significant economic impact to small businesses or other small entities.
6. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden:
The Agency could not effectively monitor lenders and assess the program if information were collected less frequently or was not collected at all. Effective loan portfolio management begins with the oversight of the risk in individual loans. Prudent risk selection is vital to maintaining favorable loan quality. The information collected is required by OMB Circular A-129.
8. Comments on Agency’s notice in the Federal Register and efforts to consult with persons outside the Agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collect, the clarity of the instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
As required by 5 CFR 1320.9(d), the Agency published a Notice in the Federal Register on March 26, 2020. Docket No. RHS-20-SFH-0008, [Vol 85, No. 59, page number 17041,] for soliciting comments on the information collection. No comments were received.
The Agency consulted with representatives of the mortgage lending industry regarding the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions, recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format, and data elements to be reported. The following were consulted:
Jackie Young Vice President RH Operations Freedom Mortgage. 1400 East Newport Center Dr. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 954.422.1204
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Lynn Marino Vice President Credit Policy Fairway Mortgage 469.209.7545
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These individuals and organizations were selected for consultation based on their extensive knowledge and active involvement in the program. They represent a cross-section of the mortgage industry. Participants have a working knowledge of the SFHGLP which aided their consultation.
Lender respondents both agreed the recordkeeping, disclosures, reporting and elements to report were consistent with other government programs as well as most conventional products. Additionally, respondents believe the integration of the SFHGLP to the national model was a positive step forward in streamlining the delivery of the program and expressed satisfaction with regular updates of the technical handbook. They did request more efforts be made in updating online resources as some are outdated. The addition of the new Lender and Partner Activities Branch under the Policy and Program Management Division will ensure that external training, marketing and outreach materials are made available to lenders.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than re-enumeration of contractors or grantees:
There is no payment or gift to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or Agency policy:
There has been no assurance of confidentiality provided to the respondents by the Agency.
11. Provide additional justification for any question of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the Agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons form who the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent:
The information collected by the Agency is not of a sensitive nature.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated:
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB 83-I.
This submission is for 1,766,094 responses and 1,327,476 burden hours. Estimated response time was derived from previous history. For each collection item, the previous FY activity was assessed. The SFHGLP has experienced a historical volume growth. Continued demand indicates the SFHGLP will continue to grow in the future. A theoretical accounting for the respondent’s time spent complying with the collection request was estimated and projected against the wage class value noted below.
The wage class value was based on the following:
Lenders: Loan processors (persons below the management level) are the primary persons completing the forms to obtain a guarantee from the Agency. Depending on the composition of the lender’s organization, underwriters may also collect some of the information. Processors are paid an estimated average of $30,000 to 60,000 annually. Salary will vary by corporate structure (small to large) and geographically (rural to high cost area). $41,000 ($19.71 hourly) was utilized in the statistical analysis. Processors account for an estimated 90% occurrence for collection. Originators, who obtain the application from the borrower, assemble the information and communicate with the borrower typically, work on commission in a range of ½% to 1% of the loan amount. If the average loan amount is $140,000 and an average mortgage originator creates four-five loans per month, originators salaries could be $60,000 to $100,000 per year. $80,000 ($38.46 hourly) was used for statistical analysis. Originators account for an estimated 5% occurrence for collection. Underwriters are paid an estimated $55,000 to $80,000 average annually; $70,000 ($33.65 hourly) was used for statistical analysis. Underwriters are estimated to collect data 5% of the occurrences. Combined, the estimated average annual salary of the primary employee(s) collecting data is $63,000. Upper management provides oversight of the program and monitors performance. Management accounts for an estimated 5% of the lender’s total time. Estimated average pay for management varies based on the type and size of the lender and level of management involved with the program; incentives paid for performance, etc. and are estimated to be $75,000 to $100,000 average per year. $85,000 ($40.87 hourly) was used for statistical analysis. Combined, the estimated weighted-average annual salary of a lender’s employee is $69,000 per year or $33.17 per hour.
Borrowers: It is estimated, based on the mean income of loans guaranteed during FY 2019 that the mean income of guaranteed customers is approximately $50,360 per year or $24.21 per hour.
Information regarding salaries of Lenders was obtained from participating lenders and by researching the Department of Labor.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
See attached spreadsheet for complete annualized cost burden of the collection.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component:
There are no capital/startup costs or operation/maintenance costs associated with this collection.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information:
We estimate the annual cost to the Federal Government to be $16,472,501. Recent research indicates the number of employees directly involved in the administration of the SFHGLP (281) multiplied by the national costs factor of $58,621 (obtained from www.opm.gov). The cost factor includes salaries, benefits, travel, communication, supplies, etc. and is estimated by using an assumption that the average pay grade for a GS-10, Step 6 of the General Schedule. Effective February 16, 2020, the SFHGLP transitioned into an integrated, National model. The loan processing from origination to loan closing activities was transferred from all States into the SFHGLP Origination and Processing Division (OPD). The OPD consists of numerous Management Assistants as GS-6’s, Loan Technicians as GS-7’s, Loan Specialists as GS-9’s, 11’s and 12’s.
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-1:
There is an estimated increase of 687,032 responses and 493,868 burden hours since the last submission. Any change in hours is a result of increased program level funding and demand by the public. Also considered is a change in the average loan amount, additional lenders participating in the program, due to a change in the program funding level and a keener interest by industry partners. Backlogs in some States caused delays in processing lender requests that resulted in various turn-around times from state to state. Integration of the SFHGLP into the National model was necessary to provide lenders improved customer service, consistent turn times and policy interpretation.
16. For collection of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication:
Information will not be published for statistical purposes.
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate:
Multiple forms are cleared within multiple packages and the different expiration dates for each package will be confusing to the customer.
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19 “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act.”
There are no exceptions requested.
19. How is this information collection related to the Service Center Initiative (SCI)? Will the information collection be part of the one stop-shopping concept?
Some lenders participate in more than one of the Agency’s programs. Through the Guaranteed Loan System (GLS), some basic lender data can be shared between Agencies. However, the SFHGLP is unique in nature as compared to other Agency guaranteed programs. Therefore, sharing of information is limited at this time.
Under the Comprehensive Loan Program (CLP) initiative Farm Service Agency and Rural Development will be collaborating in the ensuing three years to strategically integrate existing USDA IT loan originating and servicing platforms. The proposal is based upon the same “line of business” of the Federal Architecture Business Reference Model. Rural Development and Farm Service Agency are also focusing on collaborative efforts for sharing common technologies, software and application components. The proposed technology will allow seamless sharing of data across components and collaborating on standard data base technologies, common web application and software development tools defined by the Service Center Management Initiative. The initiative is in support of the USDA Target Architecture and Federal Enterprise Architecture.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | DATE: 08/28/97 |
| Author | Dean A. Daetwyler |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-13 |