Title 13—Business Credit and Assistance--Volume 1
PART 120—BUSINESS LOANS
§ 120.1511   Certification and other reporting and notification requirements for Other Regulated SBLCs.
(a) Certification. An SBLC seeking Other Regulated SBLC status must certify to SBA in writing that its lending activities are subject to regulation by a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator. This certification must be executed by the chair of the board of directors of the SBLC and submitted to SBA either:
(1) Within 60 calendar days of the effective date of this section or
(2) If the SBLC becomes subject to regulation by a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator after the effective date of this section for any reason (e.g. license transfers), within 60 days of the date that the SBLC becomes directly examined and directly regulated by such regulator.
(b) Contents of Certification: This certification must include:
(1) The identity of the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator that regulates the lending activities of the SBLC;
(2) A statement that the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator identified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section regularly conducts safety and soundness examinations on the SBLC itself and not only on the SBLC's parent company or affiliate, if any; and
(3) The date of the most recent safety and soundness examination conducted on the SBLC by the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator. To qualify as an Other Regulated SBLC, the SBLC must have received this examination within the past 3 years of the date of certification.
(c) Notification of examination. An Other Regulated SBLC must notify SBA in writing each time a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator conducts a safety and soundness examination, and this notification must be submitted to SBA within 30 calendar days of the SBLC receiving the results of the examination. To retain its status as an Other Regulated SBLC, the Other Regulated SBLC must receive such examination, and provide the written notification to SBA, at least once every two years following initial certification.
(d) Report. An Other Regulated SBLC must report in writing to SBA on its interactions with other Federal Financial Institution Regulators or state banking regulator (e.g., the results of the safety and soundness examinations and any order issued against the Other Regulated SBLC), to the extent allowed by law.
(e) Notification of change in status. If, for any reason, an Other Regulated SBLC becomes no longer subject to regulation by a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator, the Other Regulated SBLC must immediately notify SBA in writing, and the exemption provided in § 120.1510 will immediately no longer apply.
(f) Extension of timeframes. SBA may in its discretion extend any timeframe imposed on the SBLC under this section if the SBLC can show good cause for any delay in meeting the time requirement. The SBLC may appeal this decision to the AA/CA.
(g) Failure to satisfy requirements. In the event that an SBLC fails to satisfy the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, then the exemption provided in § 120.1510 will not apply to the SBLC.
§ 120.1540   Types of formal enforcement actions—Intermediaries participating in the Microloan Program.
Upon a determination that any ground set out in § 120.1425 exists, the D/OCRM may undertake, in his/her discretion (and with the involvement of the LOC as appropriate and consistent with its assigned responsibilities), one or more of the following formal enforcement actions against an Intermediary, and is not restricted from delegating as appropriate:
(a) S uspension. SBA may suspend an Intermediary's authority to participate in the Microloan Program, which may include, but is not limited to, the authority to make, service, liquidate, and/or litigate SBA microloans, and the imposition of a freeze on the Intermediary's MRF and LLRF accounts.
(b) Immediate suspension. SBA may suspend, effective immediately, an Intermediary's authority to participate in the Microloan Program, which may include, but is not limited to, the authority to make, service, liquidate, and/or litigate SBA microloans, and the imposition of an immediate freeze on the Intermediary's MRF and LLRF accounts. Section 120.1425(c)(6) sets forth the grounds for SBA Microloan Program immediate suspension of an Intermediary.
(c) Revocation. SBA may revoke an Intermediary's authority to participate in the Microloan Program which may include, but is not limited to:
(1) Removal from the program;
(2) Liquidation of the Intermediary's MRF and LLRF accounts by SBA, and application of the liquidated funds to any outstanding balance owed to SBA;
(3) Payment of outstanding debt to SBA by the Intermediary;
(4) Forfeiture or repayment of any unused grant funds by the Intermediary;
(5) Debarment of the organization from receipt of Federal funds until loan and grant repayments are met; and
(6) Surrender of possession of Intermediary's SBA microloan portfolio to SBA, with the microloan portfolio and all associated rights transferred on a permanent basis to SBA, in accordance with SBA's rights as a secured creditor.
(d) Other actions. Such other actions available under law.
§ 120.1600   General procedures for formal enforcement actions against SBA Lenders, SBA Supervised Lenders, Other Regulated SBLCs, Management Officials, Other Persons, and Intermediaries.
(a) In general. Except as otherwise set forth for the formal enforcement actions listed in paragraphs (a)(6), (b), and (c) of this section and in § 120.465, SBA will follow the procedures listed in this section.
(1) SBA's notice of formal enforcement action. (i) When undertaking an immediate suspension under § 120.1500(a)(4), or prior to undertaking a formal enforcement action set forth in § 120.1500(a), (b), and (e) and § 120.1540, SBA will issue a written notice to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary identifying the proposed formal enforcement action or notifying it of an immediate suspension. The notice will set forth in reasonable detail the underlying facts and reasons for the proposed action or immediate suspension. If the notice is for a proposed or immediate suspension, SBA will also state the scope and term of the proposed or immediate suspension.
(ii) If a proposed formal enforcement action or immediate suspension is based upon information obtained from a third party other than the SBA Lender, Intermediary, or SBA, SBA's notice of proposed action or immediate suspension will provide copies of documentation received from such third party, or the name of the third party in case of oral information, unless SBA determines that there are compelling reasons not to provide such information. If compelling reasons exist, SBA will provide a summary of the information it received to the SBA Lender or Intermediary.
(2) SBA Lender's or Intermediary's opportunity to object. (i) An SBA Lender or Intermediary that desires to contest a proposed formal enforcement action or an immediate suspension must file, within 30 calendar days of its receipt of the notice or within some other term established by SBA in its notice, a written objection with the appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority or other SBA official identified in the notice. Notice will be presumed to have been received within five days of the date of the notice unless the SBA Lender or Intermediary can provide compelling evidence to the contrary.
(ii) The objection must set forth in detail all grounds known to the SBA Lender or Intermediary to contest the proposed action or immediate suspension and all mitigating factors, and must include documentation that the SBA Lender or Intermediary believes is most supportive of its objection. An SBA Lender or Intermediary must exhaust this administrative remedy in order to preserve its objection to a proposed formal enforcement action or an immediate suspension.
(iii) If an SBA Lender or Intermediary can show legitimate reasons as determined by SBA in SBA's discretion why it does not understand the reasons given by SBA in its notice of the action, the Agency will provide clarification. SBA will provide the requested clarification in writing to the SBA Lender or Intermediary or notify the SBA Lender or Intermediary in writing that SBA has determined that such clarification is not necessary. SBA, in its discretion, will further advise in writing whether the SBA Lender or Intermediary may have additional time to present its objection to the notice. Requests for clarification must be made to the appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority in writing and received by SBA within the 30 day timeframe or the timeframe given by the notice for response.
(iv) An SBA Lender or Intermediary may request additional time to respond to SBA's notice if it can show that there are compelling reasons why it is not able to respond within the 30 day timeframe or the response timeframe given by the notice. If such requests are submitted to the Agency, SBA may, in its discretion, provide the SBA Lender or Intermediary with additional time to respond to the notice of proposed action or immediate suspension. Requests for additional time to respond must be made in writing to the appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority or other official identified in the notice and received by SBA within the 30 day timeframe or the response timeframe given by the notice.
(v) Prior to the issuance of a final agency decision by SBA, if an SBA Lender or Intermediary can show that there is newly discovered material evidence which, despite the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's exercise of due diligence, could not have been discovered within the timeframe given by SBA to respond to a notice, or that there are compelling reasons beyond the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's control as to why it was not able to present a material fact or argument to SBA, and that the SBA Lender or Intermediary has been prejudiced by not being able to present such information, the SBA Lender or Intermediary may submit such information to SBA and request that the Agency consider such information in its final agency decision.
(3) SBA's notice of final agency decision on a formal enforcement action where an SBA Lender or Intermediary filed objection to the proposed action or immediate suspension. (i) If the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary files a timely written objection to a proposed formal enforcement action other than an immediate suspension in accordance with this section, SBA must issue a written notice of final agency decision to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary advising whether SBA is undertaking the proposed formal enforcement action and setting forth the grounds for the decision. SBA will issue such a notice of decision within 90 days of either receiving the objection or from when additional information is provided under paragraph (a)(2)(v) or (a)(3)(iii) of this section, whichever is later, unless SBA provides notice that it requires additional time.
(ii) If the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary files a timely written objection to a notice of immediate suspension, SBA must issue a written notice of final agency decision to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary within 30 days of receiving the objection advising whether SBA is continuing with the immediate suspension, unless SBA provides notice that it requires additional time. If the SBA Lender or Intermediary submits additional information to SBA (under paragraph (a)(2)(v) or (a)(3)(iii) of this section) after submitting its objection but before SBA issues its final agency decision, SBA must issue its final agency decision within 30 days of receiving such information, unless SBA provides notice that it requires additional time.
(iii) Prior to issuing a notice of decision, SBA in its discretion can request additional information from the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary or other partiesand conduct any other investigation it deems appropriate. If SBA determines, in its discretion, to consider an untimely objection, it must issue a notice of final agency decision pursuant to this paragraph (a)(3).
(4) SBA's notice of final agency decision on a formal enforcement action where no filed objection or untimely objection not considered. If SBA chooses not to consider an untimely objection or if the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary fails to file a written objection to a proposed formal enforcement action or an immediate suspension, and if SBA continues to believe that such proposed formal enforcement action or immediate suspension is appropriate, SBA must issue a written notice of final agency decision to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary that SBA is undertaking one or more of the proposed formal enforcement actions against the SBA Lender or Intermediary or that an immediate suspension of the SBA Lender or Intermediary will continue. Such a notice of final agency decision need not state any grounds for the action other than to reference the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's failure to file a timely objection, and represents the final agency decision.
(5) Appeals. An SBA Lender or Intermediary may appeal the final agency decision to the appropriate Federal district court. Alternatively, 7(a) Lenders may appeal such decisions (except for decisions against SBA Supervised Lenders that are covered by procedures in § 120.1600(b) or (c) or § 120.465) to SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (“OHA”) within 30 calendar days of the date of the decision, and in the event of such an appeal, OHA will issue its decision in accordance with part 134 of this title. The enforcement action will remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal, if any.
(6) Receiverships of Certified Development Companies and/or other relief. If SBA undertakes the appointment of a receiver for a Certified Development Company and/or injunctive or other equitable relief, paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section will not apply and SBA will follow the applicable procedures under Federal law to obtain such remedies and to enforce the Certified Development Company's consent and waiver in advance to those remedies.
(b) Procedures for certain formal enforcement actions against SBA Supervised Lenders (except Other Regulated SBLCs) and, where applicable, Management Officials and Other Persons —(1) Suspension and revocation actions and cease and desist orders. If SBA seeks to suspend or revoke loan program authority (including, the authority to make, service, liquidate, or litigate SBA loans), or issue a cease and desist order to an SBA Supervised Lender or, as applicable, Other Person, SBA will follow the procedures below in lieu of those in paragraph (a) of this section.
(i) Show cause order and hearing. The Administrator will serve upon the SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person an order to show cause why an order suspending or revoking the authority or why a cease and desist order should not be issued. The show cause order will contain a statement of the matters of fact and law asserted by SBA, as well as the legal authority and jurisdiction under which an administrative hearing will be held, and will set forth the place and time of the administrative hearing. The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554-557, 15 U.S.C. 650, and applicable sections of part 134 of this chapter. The Administrative Law Judge will issue a recommended decision based on the record.
(ii) Witnesses. The party calling witnesses will pay the witness the same fees and mileage paid witnesses for their appearance in U.S. courts.
(iii) Administrator finding and order issuance. If after the administrative hearing, or the SBA Supervised Lender's or Other Person's waiver of the administrative hearing, the Administrator determines that the order should be issued, the Administrator will issue an order to suspend or revoke authority or a cease and desist order, as applicable. The order will include a statement of findings, the grounds and reasons, and will specify the order's effective date. SBA will serve the order on the SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person. The Administrator may delegate the power to issue a cease and desist order or to suspend or revoke loan program authority only if the Administrator is unavailable and only to the Deputy Administrator.
(iv) Judicial review. The order constitutes a final agency action. The SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person will have 20 days from the order issuance date to file an appeal in the appropriate federal district court.
(2) Immediate suspension or immediate cease and desist order. If SBA undertakes an immediate suspension of authority to participate in the 7(a) loan program or immediate cease and desist order against an SBA Supervised Lender or, as applicable, Other Person, SBA will within two business days follow the procedures set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(3) Removal of Management Official. If SBA undertakes the removal of a Management Official of an SBA Supervised Lender, SBA will follow the procedures below in lieu of those in paragraph (a) of this section.
(i) Notice and hearing. SBA will serve upon the Management Official and the SBA Supervised Lender written notice of intention to remove that includes a statement of the facts constituting the grounds and the date, time, and place for an administrative hearing. The administrative hearing will be held between 30 and 60 days from the date notice is served, unless an earlier or later date is set at the request of the Management Official for good cause shown or at the request of the Attorney General. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554-557, 15 U.S.C. 650 and applicable sections of part 134 of this chapter. Failure of the Management Official to appear at the administrative hearing will constitute consent to the removal order. SBA will serve on the SBA Supervised Lender a copy of each notice that is served on a Management Official.
(ii) Suspension from office or prohibition in participation, pending removal. The suspension or prohibition will take effect upon service of intention to remove the Management Official or such subsequent time as the Administrator or his/her delegate deems appropriate and serves notice. It will remain in effect pending the completion of the administrative proceedings to remove and until such time as either SBA dismisses the charges in the removal notice or, if an order to remove or prohibit participation is issued, until the effective date of an order to remove or prohibit. In the case of suspension or prohibition following criminal charges, it may remain in effect until the information, indictment, or complaint is finally disposed of, or until the suspension is terminated by SBA or by order of a district court. A Management Official may appeal to the appropriate federal district court for a stay of the suspension or prohibition pending completion of the administrative hearing not later than 10 days from the suspension or prohibition's effective date.
(iii) Decision. SBA may issue the order of removal if the Management Official consents or is convicted of the criminal charges and the judgment is not subject to further judicial review (not including writ of habeas corpus), or if upon a record of a hearing, SBA finds that any of the notice grounds have been established. After the hearing, in the latter case, and within 30 days after SBA has notified the parties that the case has been submitted for final decision, SBA will render a decision (which includes findings of fact upon which the decision is predicated) and issue and serve an order upon each party to the proceeding. The decision will constitute final agency action.
(iv) Effective date and judicial review. The removal order will take effect 30 days after date of service upon the SBA Supervised Lender and the Management Official except in case of consent which will be effective at the time specified in the order or in case of removal for conviction on criminal charges the order will be effective upon removal order service on the SBA Supervised Lender and the Management Official. The order will remain effective and enforceable, except to the extent it is stayed, modified, terminated, or set aside by Administrator or a reviewing court. The adversely affected party will have 20 days from the order issuance date to seek judicial review in the appropriate federal district court.
(4) Receiverships, transfer of assets and servicing activities. If SBA undertakes the appointment of a receiver for, or the transfer of assets or servicing rights of an SBA Supervised Lender and/or injunctive or other equitable relief, SBA will follow the applicable procedures under Federal law to obtain such remedies and to enforce the SBA Supervised Lender's consent and waiver in advance to those remedies.
(5) Civil penalties for report filing failure. If SBA seeks to impose civil penalties against an SBA Supervised Lender for failure to file a report in accordance with SBA regulations or written directive, SBA will follow the procedures set forth for enforcement actions in § 120.465.
(c) Additional procedures for certain formal enforcement actions against SBLCs. Capital directive —(1) Notice of intent to issue capital directive. SBA will notify an SBLC in writing of its intention to issue a directive. The notice will state:
(i) Reasons for issuance of the directive and
(ii) The proposed contents of the directive.
(2) Response to notice. (i) An SBLC may respond to the notice by stating why a capital directive should not be issued and/or by proposing alternative contents for the capital directive or seeking other appropriate relief. The response must include any information, mitigating circumstances, documentation, or other relevant evidence that supports its position. The response may include a plan for achieving the minimum capital requirement applicable to the SBLC. The response must be in writing and delivered to the SBA within 30 days after the date on which the SBLC received the notice. In its discretion, SBA may extend the time period for good cause. SBA may shorten the 30-day time period:
(A) When, in the opinion of SBA, the condition of the SBLC so requires, provided that the SBLC will be informed promptly of the new time period;
(B) With the consent of the SBLC; or
(C) When the SBLC already has advised SBA that it cannot or will not achieve its applicable minimum capital requirement.
(ii) Failure to respond within 30 days or such other time period as may be specified by SBA will constitute a waiver of any objections to the proposed capital directive.
(3) Decision. After the closing date of the SBLC's response period, or receipt of the SBLC's response, if earlier, SBA may seek additional information or clarification of the response. Thereafter, SBA will determine whether or not to issue a capital directive, and if one is to be issued, whether it should be as originally proposed or in modified form.
(4) Issuance of a capital directive. (i) A capital directive will be served by delivery to the SBLC. It will include, or be accompanied by, a statement of reasons for its issuance.
(ii) A capital directive is effective immediately upon its receipt by the SBLC, or upon such later date as may be specified therein, and will remain effective and enforceable until it is stayed, modified, or terminated by SBA.
(5) Reconsideration based on change in circumstances. Upon a change in circumstances, an SBLC may request SBA to reconsider the terms of its capital directive or may propose changes in the plan to achieve the SBLC's applicable minimum capital requirement. SBA also may take such action on its own initiative. SBA may decline to consider requests or proposals that are not based on a significant change in circumstances or are repetitive or frivolous. Pending a decision on reconsideration, the capital directive and plan will continue in full force and effect.
(6) Relation to other administrative actions. A capital directive may be issued in addition to, or in lieu of, any other action authorized by law, including cease and desist proceedings. SBA also may, in its discretion, take any action authorized by law, in lieu of a capital directive, in response to an SBLC's failure to achieve or maintain the applicable minimum capital requirement.
(7) Appeals. The capital directive constitutes a final agency action. An SBLC may appeal the final agency decision only in the appropriate federal district court.
§ 120.1700   Definitions used in subpart J.
504 financing. The loans made to a small business to fund a Project under the SBA's development company loan program authorized by Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
Affiliate. A person or entity SBA determines to be an affiliate of a Program Participant pursuant to the application of the principles and guidelines set forth in § 121.103 of this Title.
Central Servicing Agent or CSA. The entity serving as SBA's central servicing agent for the Program.
Certified Development Company or CDC. An entity that meets the definition of a Certified Development Company as defined in § 120.10 of this Part.
Current. That no scheduled payment owed by an Obligor pursuant to a Pool Note is over 29 days past due.
First Lien Position 504 Loan. The financing provided by the First Lien Position 504 lender that is part of the 504 project financing.
First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement. The agreement, in the form approved by SBA, wherein entities agree to participate in the forming of a Pool under the Program, available at http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/elending/index.html/.
Guide. The First Lien Position 504 Loan Pooling Program Guide published by SBA which provides information applicable to the Program including, among other things, requirements relating to the formation of a Pool, available at http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/elending/index.html/.
Liquidation Proceeds. Cash, including insurance proceeds, proceeds of any foreclosed-on property disposition, revenues received with respect to the conservation and disposition of a foreclosed-on property or repossessed collateral, including any real property securing the Pool Loan, consisting of a commercial property or residential property and any improvements thereon, and any other amounts received in connection with the liquidation of the Pool Loan, whether through Seller's sale, foreclosure sale, any offset or workout, or otherwise.
Loan Interest. The right to receive the owned portion of the principal balance of the Pool Loan together with interest thereon at a per annum rate in effect from time to time in accordance with the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
Maturity. The maturity of the Loan Interest in the Pool that has the longest remaining term of any Loan Interest in the Pool. The maturity will change from time to time due to prepayment or default on Loan Interests in the Pool.
Ongoing Guarantee Fee. An annual fee collected monthly and based on the percentage of the Pool Loan amount, pursuant to section 503(C)(3)(B)(ii) of the Recovery Act, to result in a cost of the loan guarantee of zero as determined under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, as amended. The funds generated by the fee serve as a reserve to pay for program losses.
Obligor. The obligor(s) under a Pool Note.
Pool. The aggregate of Loan Interests formed into a single pool by the Pool Originator in accordance with the Program. The Pool is comprised of an unguaranteed portion and an SBA-guaranteed portion. The unguaranteed portion of the Pool backs the Pool Originator Receipt, and cannot be sold to Pool Investors. The SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool backs the Pool Certificates sold to Pool Investors. The Seller's Loan Interest is not included in the Pool.
Pool Assembler. An entity that meets the qualifications of a Pool Assembler as set forth in section 120.630 of this Part and has been approved as such by SBA.
Pool Certificate. The document representing a beneficial fractional interest in the SBA-guaranteed portion of a Pool.
Pooled. When one or more Loan Interests in a Pool Loan has been put into a Pool.
Pooling. The transfer of one or more Loan Interests in a Pool Loan into a Pool.
Pool Investor. An entity which holds a Pool Certificate in accordance with Program Rules and Regulations.
Pool Loan. A loan that meets the Program eligibility requirements as set forth in § 120.1704 of this subpart J and has been pooled.
Pool Loan Receivables. Pool Loan payments, prepayments, or collections made in connection with the Pool Loan by the Obligor pursuant to Pool Note or any other Pool Loan documents or agreements, or by another person or entity made on behalf of any such Pool Loan obligor, and Liquidation Proceeds.
Pool Note. The document evidencing a Pool Loan.
Pool Originator. An entity approved by SBA to pool Loan Interests under the Program.
Pool Originator Receipt. The document evidencing the Pool Originator's retained ownership in a Pool it has formed under the Program.
Premier Certified Lenders Program. The program defined in § 120.845 of this Part.
Program. The program authorized by section 503 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Program Participant. An entity that executes the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Seller, Pool Originator, or Pool Investor, and any successors or assignees thereof.
Program Participant Associate. (1) An officer, director, key employee, or holder of 20 percent or more of the value of a Program Participant's stock or debt instruments, or (2) Any individual in which one or more individuals referred to in paragraph (1) of this definition, or a spouse, or child, or sibling, or the spouse of any such individual, owns or controls at least 20 percent.
Program Preference. Any arrangement giving the Seller, Pool Originator, or a Program Associate or Affiliate of Seller or Pool Originator, a preference or benefit of proportion greater than its Loan Interest as compared to Pool Originator, Pool Investor, or SBA relating to the making, servicing, or liquidation of the Loan with respect to such things as repayment, collateral, guarantees, control, maintenance of a compensating balance, purchase of a certificate of deposit or acceptance of a separate or companion loan, without SBA's consent. Seller's agreement to grant a Pool Loan's Obligor a deferment in return for receiving more collateral on a different loan owned by Seller is an example of a preference.
Program Rules and Regulations. This subpart J, as may be amended from time to time by SBA (the Program Regulations), the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement, any other Program agreements signed by a Program Participant, if applicable, the Guide, the Recovery Act, and the provisions of subpart H governing Third Party Loans and Third Party Lenders.
Project. A project as defined by § 120.802 of the Part.
SBA. The United States Small Business Administration, an agency of the United States Government.
Seller. An entity that has sold a Pool Loan to a Pool Originator to be Pooled and any successor entity that has executed the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guaranty Agreement pursuant to § 120.1707.
Seller's Pool Loan. The Pool Loan sold to a Pool Originator pursuant to the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
Seller Receipt. The document that evidences a Seller's Loan Interest.
Servicing Retention Amount. The amount of a Pool Loan interest payment retained by Seller for servicing the Pool Loan that is payable and calculated pursuant to the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
Weighted Average Interest Rate. The dollar-weighted average interest rate of a Pool Certificate calculated by multiplying the interest rate of each Loan Interest in the Pool by the ratio of that Loan Interest's current outstanding principal in the SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool (that is, the portion of the Pool Loan backing the Pool Certificates) to the current aggregate or outstanding principal of each Loan Interest in the SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool, and adding the sum of the resulting products. The Pool Certificate interest rate will fluctuate over the life of the Pool as defaults, prepayments and normal repayments applicable to Loan Interests in the Pool occur.
Weighted Average Maturity. The weighted average maturity of a Pool Certificate is a dollar weighted average maturity that is calculated by multiplying the remaining term, in months, of each Loan Interest in a Pool by the ratio of that Loan Interest's current outstanding pooled principal to the current aggregate outstanding pooled principal of all Loan Interests in the Pool, and adding the sum of the resulting products. The weighted average maturity of a Pool Certificate will fluctuate over the life of the Pool as Loan Interest defaults, prepayments and normal Loan Interest repayments occur.
§ 120.1701   Program purpose.
As authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), SBA establishes the Program to authorize an entity to apply for SBA's guarantee of Pools comprised of portions of First Lien Position 504 Loans backing Pool Certificates to be sold to Pool Investors. The purpose of the Program is to temporarily provide a federal guarantee for Pools of First Lien Position 504 Loans to facilitate the sale of such loans and increase the liquidity of the lenders holding the loans so that the lenders can use the sale proceeds to fund more such loans. The Program's authorization expires on September 23, 2012 and the Administrator may guarantee not more than $3,000,000,000 of pools under this authority pursuant to section 503(c)(B)(iii) of the Recovery Act, as amended by section 1119 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
§ 120.1702   Program fee.
Ongoing Guarantee Fee. The Ongoing Guarantee Fee is payable to SBA, and it is calculated and payable monthly from the amounts received in respect of interest on Loan Interests in the SBA-guaranteed portion of a Pool. This amount is set forth in the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement. This fee is used to pay program losses.
§ 120.1703   Qualifications to be a Pool Originator.
(a) Application to become Pool Originator. The application to become a Pool Originator is available from the SBA and can be found on SBA's website. In order to qualify as a Pool Originator, an entity must send the application to the SBA and certify that it is a Pool Assembler or it:
(1) Is regulated by the appropriate agency as defined in section 3(a)(34)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(34)(G));
(2) Meets all financial and other applicable requirements of its regulatory authority and the Government Securities Act of 1986, as amended (Pub. L. 99-571, 100 Stat. 3208);
(3) Has the financial capability to originate acceptable pools consisting of eligible First Lien Position 504 Loans in sufficient quantity to support the issuance of Pool Certificates;
(4) Is in good standing with SBA (as the SBA determines), and is Satisfactory with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) if it is a national bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation if it is a bank not regulated by the OCC, the Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority if it is a member, the National Credit Union Administration if it is a credit union, as determined by SBA; and
(5) for any Pool Originator that is an SBA Lender, that the SBA Lender has satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its sole discretion.
(b) Approval by SBA. An entity may not submit applications to form Pools to the CSA until SBA has approved its application to become a Pool Originator.
(c) Conduct of business by Pool Originator. An entity continues to qualify as a Pool Originator so long as it:
(1) Meets the eligibility standards in paragraph (a) of this section;
(2) Conducts its business in accordance with SBA regulations and accepted securities or banking industry practices, ethics, and standards;
(3) Maintains its books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or in accordance with the guidelines of the regulatory body governing its activities; and
(4) Has not been suspended or terminated from the Program by SBA.
§ 120.1704   Pool Loans eligible for Pooling.
(a) General Pool Loan eligibility requirements. For a First Lien Position 504 Loan to be eligible for Pooling it must:
(1) Be a loan that is:
(i) A Third Party Loan as defined in § 120.801(c)(3);
(ii) Made by a private sector lender acceptable to SBA in its sole discretion; and
(iii) Secured by a first lien on the Project Property as defined in § 120.801 of this chapter;
(2) Be part of a 504 financing that is comprised of only one Third Party Loan and one CDC 504 loan; the CDC 504 loan must be funded by a Debenture that was been sold on or after February 17, 2009;
(3) Be Current and have been Current for the six-month-period immediately prior to the date the Pool is formed or for the life of the Pool Loan, whichever time period is shorter;
(4) Have been made and closed in a commercially reasonable manner, consistent with prudent lending standards;
(5) Be part of a completed 504 financing, funded by a 504 debenture, which means that the Pool Loan must be fully disbursed and the debenture funding the related loan by a CDC must have been sold on or after February 17, 2009; and
(6) Not be:
(i) To a business deriving more than one-third of its gross annual revenue from legal gambling activities;
(ii) To a casino, gambling establishment, or casino hotel;
(iii) For financing the acquisition, construction or renovation of an aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool; or
(iv) To a business covered by a six-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for casinos—713210 (“Casinos (Except Casino Hotels)”); casino hotels—721120 (“Casino Hotels”); other gambling institutions—713290 (“Other Gambling Industries”); golf courses—713910 (“Golf Courses and Country Clubs”); or aquariums and zoos—712130 (“Zoos and Botanical Gardens”).
(b) SBA review of a Pool Loan prior to pool formation. SBA has the right to review any Pool Loan before a Loan Interest in it is added to a Pool, and SBA may prohibit the Pool's formation as proposed based on SBA's review in SBA's sole discretion. In the event SBA decides to review Pool Loan documents related to a Loan Interest prior to the requested Pool formation, that Loan Interest may not be added to the Pool until SBA reviews and approves the Pool Loan for such purpose. Copies of Pool Loan documents related to underwriting and origination, and any other Pool Loan-related documents SBA may, in its sole discretion, request to review in writing, must be sent to SBA's Sacramento Pool Loan Processing Center. The Pool Originator must identify and SBA must review Pool Loan documents before a Loan Interest is added to a Pool if:
(1) The Pool Loan is to a business within NAICS code 713940 covering Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers; (If SBA determines that a Pool Loan has had any of its proceeds used for any of the restricted purposes listed above, the Pool Loan will be prohibited from being part of a Pool.)
(2) The Pool Loan was part of a 504 financing involving a 504 loan that was processed under SBA's Premier Certified Lenders Program; or
(3) The Project the Pool Loan financed included the refinancing of existing debt owed to the Seller or Third Party Lender (not including interim financing associated with the Project).
§ 120.1705   Pool formation requirements.
(a) Initiation of Pool formation. Only an entity approved by SBA to be a Pool Originator under the Program that continues to qualify to be a Pool Originator pursuant to this subpart may initiate the formation of a Pool. The Pool Originator creates the Pool subject to Program Rules and Regulations, including the parameters set forth in the Guide, and SBA approval.
(b) Adjustment of Pool requirements. SBA may adjust the Pool characteristics periodically based on program experience and market conditions and will publish a revised version of the Guide in the Federal Register to implement such adjustments. Any such adjustments shall not affect Pools formed prior to the adjustment.
(c) When the Pool Originator is the Seller. When a Pool Originator proposes to form a Pool involving a Pool Loan it owns, it must execute the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Pool Originator and as Seller and, consequently, will be subject to all applicable Program Rules and Regulations pertaining to both roles.
(d) When the Pool Originator does not own the Pool Loan. When a Pool Originator proposes to form a Pool involving a Pool Loan it does not own, it must purchase the Loan Interest it proposes to pool from a Seller that owns the whole Pool Loan and that has the servicing rights. The Pool Originator must purchase the Loan Interest and take it into inventory or settle the purchase of the Loan Interest through the CSA concurrently with the formation of the Pool. The entity selling the Loan Interest to the Pool Originator must execute the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Seller and, consequently, will be subject to all applicable Program Rules and Regulations pertaining to a Seller. The Pool Originator must also execute the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guaranty Agreement.
(e) What CSA must receive prior to Pool formation. Before the CSA may carry out its responsibilities relating to the formation of a Pool, it must receive:
(1) From the Pool Originator: A properly completed First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool application form, First Lien Position 504 Loan Guarantee Agreement, and any other documentation which SBA may require, if applicable; and
(2) All cost reimbursement due and payable to the CSA prior to Pool formation owed by the Participants participating in the formation of the Pool.
§ 120.1706   Pool Originator's retained interest in Pool.
The Pool Originator must retain an ownership interest in any Pool it has formed that is equal to at least 5% of the aggregate of the total outstanding principal balance of each Pool Loan with a Loan Interest in the Pool as calculated at the time of Pool formation. Such interest will decline with Loan Interest payments, prepayments, defaults and any other early termination. At Pool formation, the CSA will issue the Pool Originator a Pool Originator Receipt evidencing the Pool Originator's retained interest in the Pool. The Pool Originator may not sell, pledge, participate, or otherwise transfer its Pool Originator Receipt or any interest therein for the life of the Pool.
§ 120.1707   Seller's retained Loan Interest.
The Seller must retain a 15% or greater Loan Interest in each of its loans included in a Pool. At Pool formation, the CSA will issue the Seller a Seller Receipt evidencing the Seller's retained ownership in the Pool Loan. With SBA's written permission, the Seller may sell the Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount in whole, but not in part, to a single entity at one time. The Seller may not sell less than 100% of the Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount, and may not sell a participation interest in any portion of any of its Pooled loans. In addition, in order to complete such sale, Seller must have the purchaser of its rights to the Pool Loan execute an allonge to the Seller's First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement in a form acceptable to SBA, acknowledging and accepting all terms of the Seller's First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement, and deliver the executed original allonge and a copy of the corresponding First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement to the CSA. All Pool Loan payments related to a Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount proposed for sale will be withheld by the CSA pending SBA acknowledgement of receipt of all executed documents required to complete the transfer.
§ 120.1708   Pool Certificates.
(a) SBA Guarantee of Pool Certificates. SBA guarantees to a Pool Investor the timely payment of principal and interest installments and any prepayment or other recovery of principal to which the Pool Investor is entitled. If an Obligor misses a scheduled payment pursuant to the terms of the Pool Note underlying a Loan Interest backing a Pool Certificate, SBA, through the CSA, will make advances to maintain the schedule of interest and principal payments to the Pool Investor. If SBA makes such payments, it is subrogated fully to the rights satisfied by such payment.
(b) SBA guarantee backed by full faith and credit. SBA's guarantee of the Pool Certificate is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
(c) SBA purchase of a Loan Interest. SBA will determine whether to purchase a Loan Interest backing a Pool Certificate with an underlying Pool Note that is 60 days or more in arrears. SBA reserves the right to purchase a Loan Interest from a Pool at any time.
(d) Self-liquidating. A Pool Certificate represents a fractional beneficial interest in a Pool that is self-liquidating by Pool Loan Receivables and/or SBA Loan Interest payment or redemption.
(e) Pool Certificate form. The CSA prepares the Pool Certificate. SBA must approve the form and terms of the Pool Certificate.
(f) Pool Certificate registration. A Pool Certificate must be registered with the CSA.
(g) Face amount of Pool Certificate. The face amount of a Pool Certificate cannot be less than a minimum amount as specified in the Guide, and the dollar amount of Pool Certificates must be in increments which SBA will specify in the Guide (except for one Pool Certificate for each Pool). SBA may change these requirements based upon an analysis of market conditions and program experience, and will publish any such change in the Federal Register.
(h) Basis of payment for Pool Certificates. All payments on a Pool Certificate are due pursuant to terms, conditions, and percentages set forth or referenced therein and are based on the unpaid principal balance of the Pool represented by the Pool Certificate. Any Pool Loan Receivables applicable to a Loan Interest in the SBA-guaranteed portion of a Pool will be passed through to the appropriate Pool Investors with the regularly scheduled payments to such Pool Investors.
(i) Pool Certificate interest rate. A Pool Certificate must have a Weighted Average Interest Rate.
(j) Pool Certificate maturity. A Pool Certificate must have a Maturity and a Weighted Average Maturity.
(k) Early Pool Certificate redemption. SBA, or the CSA on behalf of SBA, may redeem a Pool Certificate prior to its Maturity because of Obligor prepayment and/or SBA purchase of all Loan Interests in the Pool backing the Pool Certificate.
§ 120.1709   Transfers of Pool Certificates.
(a) Transfer of Pool Certificates. A Pool Certificate is transferable. A transfer of a Pool Certificate must comply with Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York. The seller may use any form of assignment acceptable to SBA and the CSA. The CSA may refuse to issue a Pool Certificate until it is satisfied that the documents of transfer are complete.
(b) Transfer on CSA records. In order for the transfer of a Pool Certificate to be effective, the CSA must reflect the transfer on its records.
(c) Contents of letter of transmittal for Pool Certificate. A letter of transmittal must accompany each Pool Certificate which a Pool Investor submits to the CSA for transfer. The Pool Investor must supply the following information in the letter:
(1) Pool number;
(2) Pool Certificate number;
(3) Name of purchaser of Pool Certificate;
(4) Address and tax identification number of the purchaser;
(5) Name, e-mail address and telephone number of the person handling or facilitating the transfer; and
(6) Instructions for the delivery of the new Pool Certificate.
(d) CSA transfer cost recovery. At the same time a Pool Investor submits a letter of transmittal for a Pool Certificate pursuant to this section, it must send to the CSA sufficient funds to cover its cost for this service. The CSA will supply the transfer information to the Pool Investor.
§ 120.1710   Central servicing of the Program.
(a) Pool Certificates and Receipts issued at Pool formation. As part of its role as Central Servicing Agent for the Pool, at Pool formation, CSA issues a Seller Receipt to the Seller, a Pool Originator Receipt to the Pool Originator, and a Pool Certificate to each Pool Investor.
(b) CSA fiscal transfer responsibilities. All Pool Loan Receivables on a Pool Loan received by the CSA must be forwarded by it to pay the Servicing Retention Amount, Ongoing Guarantee Fee, Seller Receipt, Pool Originator Receipt, Pool Certificates, any SBA-purchased Loan Interest, and any other payment applicable to the Pooling of such Pooled Loan, in accordance with Program Rules and Regulations.
(c) Administration of the Pool Certificates. CSA must administer each Pool Certificate. It shall maintain a registry of Pool Investors and other information as SBA requires. CSA registers all Pool Certificates. This means it issues, transfers title to, and redeems them. It shall maintain a registry of Pool Investors and other information as SBA requires. In fulfilling its obligation to keep the central registry current, the CSA may, with SBA's approval, obtain any necessary information from the parties involved in the Program.
(d) CSA Monthly Report. CSA must provide SBA with a list, by Pool, of each Loan Interest with an underlying Pool Note that is 60 days or more in arrears on a monthly basis.
§ 120.1711   Suspension or termination of Program participation privileges.
(a) Participant suspension or termination. The SBA may suspend or terminate the privilege of a Participant, and/or any Associate or Affiliate of the Participant, to sell, purchase, broker, or deal in Pool Loans, Loan Interests, or Pool Certificates under the Program if any such Participant or its Associate or Affiliate has:
(1) Failed to comply materially with any requirement imposed by the Program Rules and Regulations or other SBA rules and regulations; or
(2) Made a material false statement or failed to disclose a material fact to SBA.
(b) Additional rules for suspension or termination of Pool Originator. In addition to the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) above, SBA may also suspend or terminate the Program participation privileges of a Pool Originator if the Pool Originator (and/or its Associates):
(1) Does not comply with any of the requirements in 120.1703(a) or (c);
(2) Has been revoked or suspended it from engaging in the securities business by its supervisory agency, or is under investigation for a practice which SBA considers, in its sole discretion, to be relevant to its fitness to participate in the Program;
(3) Has been indicted or otherwise formally charged with, or convicted of, a felony, or a misdemeanor which, in SBA's sole discretion, bears on its fitness to participate in the Program;
(4) Has received an adverse civil judgment that it has committed a breach of trust or a violation of a law or regulation protecting the integrity of business transactions or relationships; or
(5) Has been suspended or terminated as a Pool Assembler under 120.631.
(c) Suspension procedures. SBA may undertake suspension or enforcement actions under this section using the procedures set forth in § 120.1600(a).
§ 120.1712   Seller responsibilities with respect to Seller's Pool Loan.
Seller shall remain obligated for servicing and liquidating Seller's Pool Loan until the Pool Loan is repaid in full unless SBA provides written approval or notice to the contrary.
§ 120.1713   Seller's Pool Loan origination.
SBA is entitled to recover from the Seller losses incurred by SBA on its guarantee of a Pool if such losses resulted because Seller's Pool Loan was not made and closed in a commercially reasonable manner, consistent with prudent lending standards, and in accordance with any applicable Program Rules and Regulations.
§ 120.1714   Seller's Pool Loan servicing.
Subject to § 120.1718 of this subpart J, the Seller must service Seller's Pool Loan in a commercially reasonable manner, consistent with prudent lending standards, and in accordance with applicable Program Rules and Regulations. The Seller receives the Servicing Retention Amount for servicing the Seller's Pool Loan.
§ 120.1715   Seller's Pool Loan liquidation.
Subject to § 120.1718 of this subpart J, the Seller must liquidate and conduct debt collection litigation for Seller's Pool Loan in a prompt, cost-effective and commercially reasonable manner, consistent with prudent lending standards, in accordance with applicable Program Rules and Regulations, and with SBA approval of a liquidation plan and any litigation plan, and any amendment of either such a plan, if applicable.
§ 120.1716   Required SBA approval of servicing actions.
Seller shall not, without prior written consent of SBA, take the following actions with respect to Seller's Pool Loan:
(a) Make or consent to any substantial alteration in the terms (“substantial” includes, but is not limited to, any changes to the principal amount or interest rate);
(b) Accelerate the maturity;
(c) Sue; or
(d) Waive or release any claim. Guidance on other servicing actions, some of which may need prior SBA approval, is provided in the Guide.
§ 120.1717   Seller's Pool Loan deferments.
Without the prior written consent of SBA, Seller, at the request of Obligor, may grant one deferment of Obligor's scheduled payments for a continuous period not to exceed three months of past or future installments. Seller shall immediately notify CSA of any payment deferment and that notification shall include:
(a) The SBA Pool Loan number;
(b) The Obligor's name;
(c) The terms of such deferment;
(d) The date Obligor is to resume payment; and
(e) Reconfirmation of the basis of interest calculation (e.g. 30/360 or Actual Days/365).
§ 120.1718   SBA's right to assume Seller's responsibilities.
SBA may, in its sole discretion, undertake the servicing, liquidation and/or litigation of Seller's Pool Loan at any time and, in such event, Seller must take any steps necessary to facilitate the assumption by SBA of such responsibilities, which can be transferred by SBA at its discretion to a contractor, agent or other entity, and such steps shall include, among other things, providing or assigning to SBA any documents requested by SBA within 15 calendar days of Seller's receipt of such request. SBA will notify the Obligor of the change in servicing.
§ 120.1719   SBA's right to recover from Seller.
SBA is entitled to recover from Seller any monies paid on SBA's guarantee of a Pool Certificate backed in part by Seller's Pool Loan, plus interest, if SBA in its sole discretion determines that any of the following events has occurred:
(a) Seller's improper action or inaction has put SBA at risk;
(b) Seller has failed to disclose a material fact to SBA regarding a Seller's Pool Loan in a timely manner;
(c) Seller has misrepresented a material fact to SBA regarding Seller's Pool Loan;
(d) Seller has failed to comply materially with § 120.1720 of this subpart;
(e) SBA has received a written request from Seller to terminate the SBA's guarantee on the Loan Interest in Seller's Pool Loan;
(f) Seller has failed to comply materially with Program Rules and Regulations; or
(g) Seller has failed to make, close, service or liquidate Seller's Pool Loan in a prudent manner.
§ 120.1720   SBA's right to review Pool Loan documents.
In the event that SBA purchases a Loan Interest in Seller's Pool Loan, Seller must provide to SBA copies of the Pool Loan collateral documents, Pool Loan underwriting documents, and any other documents SBA may require in writing within 15 calendar days of a written request from SBA (which SBA will review in connection with its efforts to determine if Seller is obligated to reimburse SBA pursuant to this subpart). A Seller's failure to provide the requested documentation may constitute a material failure to comply with the Program Rules and Regulations and may lead to an action for recovery under § 120.1719. SBA will also evaluate a Seller's continued participation in the Program and may restrict further sales under the Program until SBA determines that the Seller has provided sufficient documentation.
§ 120.1721   SBA's right to investigate.
SBA may undertake such investigation as it deems necessary to determine whether it is entitled to seek recovery from the Seller and Seller agrees to take whatever actions are necessary to facilitate such investigation.
§ 120.1722   SBA's offset rights.
SBA shall have the right to offset any amount owed by Lender to SBA, including, without limitation, an offset against CSA's obligation to pay Lender pursuant to any Section 504 First Mortgage Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
§ 120.1723   Pool Loan receivables received by Seller.
Any Pool Loan Receivables received by Seller in connection with obligations under Seller's Pool Loan must be forwarded by Seller to CSA within two business days of receipt of collected funds.
§ 120.1724   Servicing and liquidation expenses.
All ordinary and reasonable expenses of servicing and liquidating Seller's Pool Loan shall be paid by, or be recoverable from, Obligor, and all such ordinary and reasonable expenses incurred by Seller or SBA which are not recoverable from Obligor shall be shared ratably by Seller, SBA, and the Pool Originator pursuant to the applicable percentages set forth in the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
§ 120.1725   No Program Preference by Seller or Pool Originator.
The Seller and the Pool Originator must not establish a Program Preference, which is defined in 13 CFR 120.10.
§ 120.1726   Pool Certificates a Seller cannot purchase.
Neither a Seller, nor any of its Program Associates or Affiliates, may purchase a Pool Certificate that is backed by a Loan Interest in a Pool Loan that the Seller, or any of its Program Associates or Affiliates, originated or owned, and, in the event such purchase occurs, SBA's guarantee shall not be in effect with respect to any such Pool Certificate.