[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 1998)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 56873-56878] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-28480] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Parts 614, 616, 618, and 621 RIN 3052-AB63 Loan Policies and Operations; Leasing; General Provisions; Accounting and Reporting Requirements AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration. ACTION: Reproposed rule; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) through the Farm Credit Administration Board (Board) seeks additional comment on a rule to amend its regulations that provide Farm Credit System (System) institutions regulatory guidance concerning leasing activities. The reproposed rule addresses the comments received on the proposed rule and streamlines the regulations where appropriate. The reproposed rule provides clear and concise regulations pertaining to the System's leasing activities and clarifies existing regulations that apply to leasing. DATES: Please submit your comments on or before December 7, 1998. ADDRESSES: You may send us your comments via electronic mail to ``[email protected]'' or through the Pending Regulations section of the FCA's interactive website at ``www.fca.gov.'' You may also mail or deliver your comments to Patricia W. DiMuzio, Director, Regulation and Policy Division, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-5090, or send them by facsimile transmission to FAX number (703) 734-5784. You may review copies of all comments we receive in the Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Hays, Policy Analyst, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, (703) 883-4498, TDD (703) 883-4444, or James M. Morris, Senior Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, (703) 883-4020, TDD (703) 883- 4444. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 15, 1997, the FCA published a proposed rule that would replace the existing regulatory guidance relating to System institutions' leasing activities (62 FR 53581). The Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation (FCL) and AgriBank, FCB (AgriBank) provided specific comments on the proposed rule. Ag Credit Agricultural Credit Association and AgFirst, Farm Credit Bank submitted general comments. After considering the four comment letters received, we revised the proposed rule and now seek additional comment. We have renumbered all sections in the reproposed part 616 and note the new section numbers as part of our discussion of the reproposed amendments. 1. Authority and Lessee Eligibility As originally proposed, Sec. 616.6100(a), (b), and (c) generally restated sections 1.11(c)(2), 2.4(b)(4), and 3.7(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (Act). Because it is unnecessary to restate the Act in our regulations, we have omitted these paragraphs. The reproposed rule designates the remaining paragraph (d) as Sec. 616.6400 and requires that an institution document that the lease of equipment or facility is authorized under its leasing authorities. In the reproposed rule, Sec. 616.6100 results from the redesignation of Sec. 616.6110, discussed below. 2. Purchase and Sale of Interests in Leases The existing definition of a ``loan'' in Sec. 614.4325(a)(3) includes leases and generally applies the loan purchase and sale rules to leases. This approach has proven unsatisfactory because the interests in a loan and lease are different; a lease cannot be divided into a principal amount and interest payments. The proposed rule intended to accommodate these differences by providing a new definition tailored to leases. We proposed to define a lease participation in Sec. 616.6000(d) as a fractional undivided interest in: (1) All of the lease payments; (2) the residual value of all of the property leased; or (3) all of the lease payments and the residual value of all of the property leased. AgriBank and the FCL raised technical concerns with the proposed approach. AgriBank suggested a clarification to the definition of ``interests in leases'' in proposed Sec. 616.6000(a). The FCL recognized the difficulty of treating lease interests in the same manner as loan interests and requested further clarification. After considering these comments, we have concluded that a different and simpler approach is needed. The reproposed rule does not differentiate between ``participation'' interests in leases and other types of lease interests that can be purchased and sold. Reproposed Sec. 616.6100 (Sec. 616.6110 in the proposed regulation), would authorize a System institution to purchase from any lessor any interest (including a participation interest) in a lease for equipment or facilities used in the operations of eligible borrowers. Specifically, the reproposed rule would: (1) Eliminate the distinctions concerning the authority to purchase ``lease interests'' and ``lease participation interests''; (2) Eliminate cross-title restrictions on the purchase of lease interests; and (3) Eliminate the retention requirement concerning the purchase of lease interests from outside the System. At present, this provision requires that the servicer of the lease have at least a 10-percent ownership interest in the lease in order for a System institution to purchase an interest from a non-System lessor. We conclude that requiring the servicer to have an ownership interest is not necessary to manage risk and is not required by law. The reproposed rule omits as no longer necessary the definition of a lease participation in proposed Sec. 616.6000(d) and the definition of a participating institution in proposed Sec. 616.6000(e). Reproposed Sec. 616.6000(b) would define ``lease'' to include only those leases for equipment or facilities that are used in the operations of persons eligible to borrow under part 613 of this chapter. Eliminating the distinctions between ``lease interests'' and ``participation interests'' enables us to shorten the regulation by eliminating proposed Sec. 616.6115. Reproposed Sec. 616.6100 would incorporate relevant provisions from proposed Sec. 616.6115. The following information explains how we combined these provisions: [[Page 56874]]We rewrote paragraph (a) of Sec. 616.6100, as reproposed, to allow System institutions to purchase leases and interests in leases. The definition of ``lease'' would continue to limit the types of leases in which System institutions can purchase an interest, that is, leases of equipment or facilities used in the operations of eligible borrowers. We clarified that paragraph (b) of Sec. 616.6100, as reproposed, would reflect that the policy requirement applies only if an institution buys or sells interests in leases. We removed paragraph (b)(1) of proposed Sec. 616.6110, because there are no restrictions limiting to whom a System institution may sell interests in leases. We renumbered and clarified paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(7) in reproposed Sec. 616.6100. We restructured paragraph (c), which contained requirements roughly parallel to Sec. 614.4325(d) requirements applicable to loans, to incorporate requirements contained in proposed Sec. 616.6115(a) and to add a provision concerning transactions through agents. We did not change paragraph (d). We removed paragraph (e) of proposed Sec. 616.6110 because it duplicates a provision in Sec. 616.6100(b). We redesignated paragraphs (f) and (g) as paragraphs (e) and (f) without change. AgriBank also suggested adding language to the regulation that would permit lease transactions through agents parallel to loan transactions permitted by Sec. 614.4325(h). We agree that lease transactions through agents should be permitted on the same basis as Sec. 614.4325(h) permits for loans. Reproposed Sec. 616.6100(c)(8) incorporates the rules contained in Sec. 614.4325(h). This provision would require a written agency agreement and periodic review of the agency relationship. If a funding bank serves as an association's agent, the agency agreement must provide for termination of the agreement upon 60-days notice to the bank. In addition, the agreement must provide that an association can require repurchase of the interest in a lease if the interest does not comply with either the agency agreement or the association's underwriting standards. Finally, a technical change is necessary in order to delete the term ``lease'' from the Sec. 614.4325(a)(3) definition of a ``loan'' for purposes of subpart H, since that subpart would no longer apply. 3. Customer Choice of Lease Provider Proposed Sec. 616.6120 would have required an institution making out-of-territory leases to obtain the concurrence of at least one institution offering similar leasing services in the territory. Upon reconsideration, we are deleting this requirement from the reproposed regulation in order to provide System institutions with additional flexibility to make leases beyond their designated territory. The reproposed rule would not require a System lessor to satisfy any notice or concurrence requirements in order to serve lessees beyond the lessor's territory. The reproposed regulation is now Sec. 616.6200. 4. Leasing Policies, Procedures, and Underwriting Standards The proposed Sec. 616.6200 would have required a System institution engaged in leasing to adopt a written policy (or policies) and underwriting standards. One provision of the proposed regulation would have required that a System lessor adopt written policies and procedures that require management to establish a prudent residual value at the inception of the lease. The FCL agreed with proposed Sec. 616.6200 in general, but requested that we delete the word ``prudent'' as a modifier of the phrase ``residual value'' in proposed Sec. 616.6200(d). We have eliminated the term ``prudent'' from proposed Sec. 616.6200(d) and from the introductory text of Sec. 616.6200 because it is unnecessary and the written policies and procedures must reflect lease practices that control risk. We have clarified in the reproposed regulation that policies must address the appropriateness of all terms and conditions, including the residual value. We also make a clarifying change to proposed Sec. 616.6200 to replace the general reference to part 614 with the specific reference to the requirements of Sec. 614.4150. To ensure that the list in proposed Sec. 616.6200 does not duplicate any requirement of Sec. 614.4150, we have omitted proposed Sec. 616.6200(a) and (b) and redesignated the remaining paragraphs. The reproposed rule is now Sec. 616.6300. 5. Investment in Leased Assets We received no comments on the proposed provision concerning investment in leased assets, Sec. 616.6210, which would authorize an institution to purchase property to lease if the acquisition of such property is consistent with the type of leasing being conducted or planned in the future. The reproposed rule is now Sec. 616.6500. 6. Lending and Leasing Limits We received one comment on the proposal to make leases and loans to a single borrower subject to a ``lending and leasing limit.'' This provision would limit an institution's exposure to risk from a single borrower. The FCL sought clarification of the provision that allows certain interests sold to be excluded from computing the total loans and leases to a borrower. Proposed Sec. 614.4358(b)(5) would have excluded interests in leases sold if the sale agreement met three specific requirements. The third requirement, the subject of the FCL's comment, is that the agreement under which the interest is sold must provide for the sharing of all payments on a pro rata basis according to the percentage interest in the lease. The FCL commented that it is unclear how Sec. 614.4358(b)(5)(iii) applies when the participation interest is solely the residual value. We revised the reproposed rule in response to this comment. The pro rata sharing requirement would apply only to lease payments. We have made these additional changes to implement the leasing and lending limit regulations in subpart J of part 614 include: We clarified that the definition of ``borrower'' includes, for the purposes of subpart J, any customer to whom an institution has made a lease or a commitment to make a lease. See Sec. 614.4350(a). We expanded the definition of ``loan'' includes all types of leases (operating, financing, and lease interests). See Sec. 614.4350(c). The reproposed rule would prohibit a System institution from making a lease or a loan if the consolidated amount of all loans and leases to a single borrower exceeds a specific percentage of the institution's lending and leasing limit base. See Secs. 614.4352 through 614.4355. The reproposed rule would prohibit the FCL from making leases to a single lessee or any related entities that exceed 25 percent of the FCL's ``lending and leasing limit base.'' See Sec. 614.4356. We added the outstanding lease balances to the items included in the computation of obligations. See Sec. 614.4358(a)(1). All leases, except those that are permitted under Sec. 614.4361, must comply with the leasing and lending limits at all times. See Sec. 614.4360(d). 7. Portfolio Limitations Proposed Sec. 616.6230 would have limited leases made by Farm Credit Banks (FCBs), agricultural credit banks (ACBs), production credit associations (PCAs), Federal land credit associations and agricultural credit associations (ACAs), and the FCL to processing and marketing operations of agricultural or aquatic producers who supply less than [[Page 56875]] 20 percent of the throughput. That provision would have included low- throughput processing and marketing leases in computing loan portfolio restrictions contained in sections 1.11(a)(2) and 2.4(a)(1) of the Act. Loans and leases made to borrowers who supply less than 20 percent of the throughput used in a processing or marketing operation would have been subject to the 15-percent portfolio ceiling in Sec. 613.3010(b). Proposed Sec. 616.6230(b) would have imposed this 15-percent portfolio limitation on the FCL for leases it makes to processing or marketing operations. Upon reconsideration, we have concluded that the Act does not impose portfolio limitations on leases to processing and marketing operations. In the absence of a statutory requirement or a safety and soundness concern, we do not believe such a limitation on leasing activity is necessary. Therefore, we have not included proposed Sec. 616.6230 in the reproposed rule. 8. Stock Purchase Requirements We read the Act to impose a stock purchase requirement in connection with some leases, but not others. The Act authorizes FCBs to lease facilities and equipment to ``persons eligible for credit.'' In contrast, the Act authorizes PCAs and Banks for Cooperatives (BCs) to lease equipment only to ``stockholders,'' but does not prescribe any minimum stock purchase requirement. Therefore, lessees who lease equipment from PCAs, ACAs, BCs, or ACBs under titles II or III of the Act must be stockholders. Because cooperatives operate on a one-person, one-vote basis, the number of shares of stock does not affect membership rights. Therefore, the purchase of a single share of stock is sufficient to satisfy the stockholder requirement. Institutions may also satisfy the stock requirement by counting outstanding shares stockholders already own. The stock requirement in the reproposed rule would not apply to the FCL because its stockholders are System banks, rather than its lease customers. The disclosure requirements for equities issued as a condition to obtain a lease would be the same as disclosure requirements for equities issued as a condition to obtain a loan as required under Sec. 615.5250(a) and (b) of this chapter. AgriBank inquired whether System institutions could issue participation certificates to lessees, rather than stock. Because both stock and participation certificates satisfy the membership requirements of the Act, the FCA has allowed System institutions to use either one. We inserted the phrase ``or one participation certificate'' into the reproposed rule after the phrase ``at least one share of stock,'' in order to clarify that an institution may issue one participation certificate to satisfy the stock purchase requirement if authorized by the institution's bylaws. The reproposed rule is now Sec. 616.6700. 9. Disclosure Requirements The proposed rule contained two disclosure requirements. Proposed Sec. 616.6250(a) would have required that lease applicants be provided, not later than the time of lease closing, a copy of all lease documents signed by the lessee. In addition, proposed Sec. 616.6250(b) would have required a System institution to render its decision on the lease application in as expeditious a manner as is practical and provide prompt written notice of its decision to the applicant. The FCL questioned what constitutes ``lease closing.'' The FCL submits that if the term means lease commencement, this provision could pose a problem for System lessors because it is an industry practice for leases to commence on delivery and acceptance of the equipment by the lessee, while the paperwork may not be finalized until later. The FCL recommended that we omit the phrase ``not later than the time of lease closing'' or alternatively, replace it with the phrase ``within a reasonable time following lease closing.'' The reproposed rule is revised to require that copies be provided to a lessee within a reasonable time following lease closing. The FCL and AgriBank opposed the proposed requirement to provide notice of adverse action on applications. The FCL contends that requiring System lessors to provide notice of adverse action would increase administrative costs and result in an uneven playing field compared to System competitors. The FCL suggested, as an alternative, the adoption of a threshold similar to that contained in Federal Reserve Board Regulation M, which only applies to consumer leases of less than $25,000. AgriBank recommended that the FCA eliminate entirely the requirement to provide notice of adverse action because the requirement would go beyond current legal and regulatory requirements for other lessors. The FCA has deleted this requirement in the reproposed rule. However, the reproposal continues to require that an institution provide written notice of its decision on the application. While the FCA believes little additional burden would result from providing the reason(s) for adverse action, it is not required by law. The FCA continues to believe that providing such a notice is a good business practice. The reproposed rule is now Sec. 616.6800. The existing leasing regulations in Secs. 618.8050 and 618.8060 will be deleted upon the effective date of the final rule. The reproposed rule also makes conforming technical changes to Secs. 614.4710 and 621.7. List of Subjects 12 CFR Part 614 Agriculture, Banks, banking, Flood insurance, Foreign trade, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas. 12 CFR Part 616 Agriculture, Banks, banking, leasing. 12 CFR Part 618 Agriculture, Archives and records, Banks, banking, Insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, Technical assistance. 12 CFR Part 621 Accounting, Agriculture, Banks, banking, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas. For the reasons stated in the preamble, parts 614, 618 and 621 are proposed to be amended and part 616 is proposed to be added to chapter VI, title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as follows: PART 614--LOAN POLICIES AND OPERATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 614 is revised to read as follows: Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4012a, 4104a, 4104b, 4106, and 4128; secs. 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 3.0, 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, 3.20, 3.28, 4.12, 4.12A, 4.13, 4.13B, 4.14, 4.14A, 4.14C, 4.14D, 4.14E, 4.18, 4.18A, 4.19, 4.25, 4.26, 4.27, 4.28, 4.36, 4.37, 5.9, 5.10, 5.17, 7.0, 7.2, 7.6, 7.8, 7.12, 7.13, 8.0, 8.5 of the Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2071, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2091, 2093, 2094, 2097, 2121, 2122, 2124, 2128, 2129, 2131, 2141, 2149, 2183, 2184, 2199, 2201, 2202, 2202a, 2202c, 2202d, 2202e, 2206, 2206a, 2207, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2219a, 2219b, 2243, 2244, 2252, 2279a, 2279a-2, 2279b, 2279c-1, 2279f, 2279f-1, 2279aa, 2279aa-5); sec. 413 of Pub. L. 100-233, 101 Stat. 1568, 1639. Subpart H--Loan Purchases and Sales Sec. 614.4325 [Amended] 2. Section 614.4325 is amended by removing the word ``leases,'' from paragraph (a)(3). 3. The heading of subpart J is revised to read as follows: [[Page 56876]] Subpart J--Lending and Leasing Limits 4. Section 614.4350 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (c) to read as follows: Sec. 614.4350 Definitions. * * * * * (a) Borrower means an individual, partnership, joint venture, trust, corporation, or other business entity (except a Farm Credit System association or other financing institution that complies with the criteria in section 1.7(b) of the Act and the regulations in subpart P of this part) to which an institution has made a loan or a commitment to make a loan either directly or indirectly. For the purposes of this subpart, the term ``borrower'' includes any customer to whom an institution has made a lease or a commitment to make a lease. * * * * * (c) Loan means any extension of, or commitment to extend, credit authorized under the Act whether it results from direct negotiations between a lender and a borrower or is purchased from or discounted for another lender, including participation interests. The term ``loan'' includes loans and leases outstanding, obligated but undisbursed commitments to lend or lease, contracts of sale, notes receivable, other similar obligations, guarantees, and all types of leases. An institution ``makes a loan or lease'' when it enters into a commitment to lend or lease, advances new funds, substitutes a different borrower or lessee for a borrower or lessee who is released, or where any other person's liability is added to the outstanding loan, lease or commitment. * * * * * Sec. 614.4351 [Amended] 5. Section 614.4351 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit base'' each place they appear in the heading and in the entire section. Sec. 614.4352 [Amended] 6. Section 614.4352 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit base'' in paragraphs (a) and (b)(1); and by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limits'' in paragraph (b)(2). Sec. 614.4353 [Amended] 7. Section 614.4353 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit base''. Sec. 614.4354 [Amended] 8. Section 614.4354 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit base''. Sec. 614.4355 [Amended] 9. Section 614.4355 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit base'' in the introductory paragraph; and by removing the word ``lending'' in the headings of paragraphs (a) and (b). Secs. 614.4356--614.4360 [Redesignated] 10. Sections 614.4356 through 614.4360 are redesignated as Secs. 614.4357 through 614.4361; and a new Sec. 614.4356 is added to read as follows: Sec. 614.4356 Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation. The Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation may enter into a lease agreement with a lessee if the consolidated amount of all leases and undisbursed commitments to that lessee or any related entities does not exceed 25 percent of its lending and leasing limit base. 11. Newly designated Sec. 614.4358 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit'' in the introductory text of paragraphs (a) and (b); by adding the words ``and lease balances outstanding'' after the word ``loans'' the first place it appears in paragraph (a)(1); by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4358'' and adding in its place the reference ``Sec. 614.4359'' in paragraph (a)(3); by redesignating existing paragraph (b)(5) as paragraph (b)(6); and by adding a new paragraph (b)(5) to read as follows: Sec. 614.4358 Computation of obligations. * * * * * (b) * * * (5) Interests in leases sold when the sale agreement provides that: (i) The interest sold must be: (A) An undivided interest in all the lease payments or the residual value of all the leased property; or (B) A fractional undivided interest in the total lease transaction; (ii) The interest must be sold without recourse; and (iii) The sharing of all lease payments must be on a pro rata basis according to the percentage interest in the lease payments. * * * * * Sec. 614.4359 [Amended] 12. Newly designated Sec. 614.4359 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit'' in paragraphs (a) introductory text, (b), and (c); by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4356'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4357'' in paragraph (a)(1)(iii); and by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4358'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4359'' in the heading for column two in Table 1. 13. Newly designated Sec. 614.4360 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limit'' in the heading and in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d); by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4360'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4361'' in paragraph (a); by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4359(b)(3)'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4360(b)(3)'' in paragraph (c); by redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (e); and by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows: Sec. 614.4360 Lending and leasing limit violations. * * * * * (d) All leases, except those that are permitted under the provisions of Sec. 614.4361, reading ``effective date of this subpart'' in Sec. 614.4361(a) and ``effective date of these regulations'' in Sec. 614.4361(b) as ``effective date of this amendment,'' shall be in compliance with the lending and leasing limit on the date the lease is made, and at all times thereafter. * * * * * Sec. 614.4361 [Amended] 14. Newly designated Sec. 614.4361 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limits'' in each place they appear in paragraphs (a) and (b); and by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4359'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4360'' in paragraph (b). Subpart Q--Banks for Cooperatives and Agricultural Credit Banks Financing International Trade Sec. 614.4710 [Amended] 15. Section 614.4710 is amended by adding the words ``and leasing'' between the words ``lending'' and ``limits'' in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph and in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3). 16. A new part 616 is added to read as follows: PART 616--LEASING Sec. 616.6000 Definitions. 616.6100 Purchase and sale of interests in leases. [[Page 56877]] 616.6200 Out-of-territory leasing. 616.6300 Leasing policies, procedures, and underwriting standards. 616.6400 Documentation requirements. 616.6500 Investment in leased assets. 616.6600 Leasing limits. 616.6700 Stock purchase requirements. 616.6800 Disclosure requirements. Authority: Secs. 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.10, 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 3.0, 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.20, 3.28, 4.3, 4.3A, 4.13, 4.13A, 4.13B, 4.14, 4.14A, 4.14C, 4.14D, 4.14E, 4.18, 4.18A, 4.25, 4.26, 4.27, 4.28, 4.36, 4.37, 5.9, 5.10, 5.17, 7.0, 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, 7.8, 7.12, 7.13 of the Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2071, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2091, 2093, 2094, 2097, 2121, 2122, 2124, 2128, 2129, 2130, 2131, 2141, 2149, 2154, 2154a, 2199, 2200, 2201, 2202, 2202a, 2202c, 2202d, 2202e, 2206, 2206a, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2219a, 2219b, 2243, 2244, 2252, 2279a, 2279a-2, 2279a-3, 2279b, 2279c-1, 2279f, 2279f-1). PART 616--LEASING Sec. 616.6000 Definitions. For the purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply: (a) Interests in leases means ownership interests in any aspect of a lease transaction, including, but not limited to, servicing rights. (b) Lease means any contractual obligation to own and lease, or lease with the option to purchase, equipment or facilities used in the operations of persons eligible to borrow under part 613 of this chapter. (c) Sale with recourse means a sale of a lease or an interest in a lease in which the seller: (1) Retains some risk of loss from the transferred asset for any cause except the seller's breach of usual and customary warranties or representations designed to protect the purchaser against fraud or misrepresentation; or (2) Has an obligation to make payments to any party resulting from: (i) Default on the lease by the lessee or guarantor or any other deficiencies in the lessee's performance; (ii) Changes in the market value of the assets after transfer; (iii) Any contractual relationship between the seller and purchaser incident to the transfer that, by its terms, could continue even after final payment, default, or other termination of the assets transferred; or (iv) Any other cause, except that the retention of servicing rights alone shall not constitute recourse. Sec. 616.6100 Purchase and sale of interests in leases. (a) Authority to purchase interests in leases. A Farm Credit System institution may purchase leases and interests in leases. (b) Policies. Each Farm Credit System institution that sells or purchases interests in leases shall do so only in accordance with a policy adopted by its board of directors that addresses the following: (1) The types of leases in which the institution may purchase or sell an interest and the types of interests which may be purchased or sold; (2) The underwriting standards to be applied in the purchase of interests in leases; (3) Such limitations on the aggregate lease payments and residual amount of interests in leases that the institution may purchase from a single institution as are necessary to diversify risk, and such limitations on the aggregate amounts the institution may purchase from all institutions as are necessary to assure that service to the territory is not impeded; (4) Identification and reporting of leases in which interests are sold or purchased; (5) Requirements for securing from the selling lessor in a timely manner adequate financial and other information concerning the lessee needed to make an independent judgment; and (6) Any limitations or conditions to which sales or purchases are subject that the board deems appropriate, including arbitration. (c) Purchase and sale agreements. Each agreement to purchase or sell an interest in a lease shall, at a minimum: (1) Identify the particular lease(s) to be covered by the agreement; (2) Provide for the transfer of lessee information on a timely and continuing basis; (3) Identify the nature of the interest(s) sold or purchased; (4) Specify the rights and obligations of the parties and the terms and conditions of the sale; (5) Contain any terms necessary for the appropriate administration of the lease, including lease servicing and monitoring of the servicer and authorization and conditions for action in the event of lessee distress or default; (6) Provide for a method of resolution of disagreements arising under the agreement; (7) Specify whether the contract is assignable by either party; and (8) In the case of lease transactions through agents, comply with the provisions of Sec. 614.4325(h) of this chapter, reading the term ``lease'' or ``leases'' in place of the term ``loan'' or ``loans,'' as applicable. (d) Independent judgment. Each institution that purchases an interest in a lease shall make a judgment on the payment ability of the lessee that is independent of the originating or lead lessor and any intermediary seller or broker prior to the purchase of the interest and prior to any servicing action that alters the terms of the original agreement, which judgment shall not be delegated to any person(s) not employed by the institution. A Farm Credit System institution that purchases a lease or any interest therein may use information, such as appraisals or inspections, furnished by the originating or lead lessor, or any intermediary seller or broker; however, the purchasing Farm Credit System institution shall independently evaluate such information when exercising its independent judgment. The independent judgment shall be documented by a payment analysis that considers factors set forth in Sec. 616.6300. The payment analysis shall consider such financial and other lessee information as would be required by a prudent lessor and shall include an evaluation of the capacity and reliability of the servicer. Boards of directors of jointly managed institutions shall adopt procedures to ensure that the interests of their respective shareholders are protected in participation between such institutions. (e) Sales with recourse. When a lease or interest in a lease is sold with recourse, it shall be accorded the following treatment: (1) The lease shall be considered, to the extent of the recourse or guaranty, a lease by the purchaser to the seller, as well as a lease from the seller to the lessee, for the purpose of determining whether total leases to a lessee are within the lending and leasing limits established in subpart J of part 614. (2) The amount of the lease subject to the recourse agreement shall be considered a lease sold with recourse for the purpose of computing capital ratios. (f) Similar entity lease transactions. The provisions of Sec. 613.3300 of this chapter that apply to interests in loans made to similar entities shall apply to interests in leases made to similar entities. In applying these provisions, the term ``loan'' shall be read to include the term ``lease'' and the term ``principal amount'' shall be read to include the term ``lease amount.'' Sec. 616.6200 Out-of-territory leasing. A System institution may make leases outside its chartered territory. A System institution making out-of-territory leases is not required to provide notification to, or obtain concurrence from, other System institutions. [[Page 56878]] Sec. 616.6300 Leasing policies, procedures, and underwriting standards. The board of each institution engaged in lease underwriting shall set forth a written policy (or policies) and procedures governing such activity that reflect lease practices that control risk and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Any leasing activity shall comply with the lending policies and loan underwriting requirements in Sec. 614.4150 of this chapter. An institution engaged in the making, purchasing, or syndicating of leases also must establish written policies and procedures that address the additional risks associated with leasing. Written policies and procedures shall address the following, if applicable: (a) Appropriateness of the lease amount, purpose, and terms and conditions, including the residual value established at the inception of the lease; (b) Process for estimating the leased asset's market value during the lease term; (c) Types of equipment and facilities the institution will lease; (d) Remarketing of leased property and associated risks; (e) Property tax and sales tax reporting; (f) Title and ownership of leased assets; (g) Title and licensing for motor vehicles; (h) Liability associated with ownership, including any environmental hazards or risks; (i) Insurance requirements for both the lessor and lessee; (j) Classification of leases in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and (k) Tax treatment of lease transactions and associated risks. Sec. 616.6400 Documentation requirements. Each institution shall adequately document that any asset it leases is within its statutory authority. Sec. 616.6500 Investment in leased assets. An institution may acquire property to be leased, if the acquisition of the property is consistent with the leasing then conducted by the institution or is consistent with a business plan for expansion of the institution's existing leasing business or for entry into the leasing business. Sec. 616.6600 Leasing limits. All leases made by Farm Credit System institutions shall be subject to the lending and leasing limits prescribed in subpart J of part 614 of this chapter. Sec. 616.6700 Stock purchase requirements. (a) Each System institution making an equipment lease under titles II or III of the Act shall require the lessee to purchase at least one share of stock or one participation certificate in accordance with its bylaws, unless the lessee already owns stock in the institution making the lease. This provision does not apply to the Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation. (b) The disclosure requirements of Sec. 615.5250(a) and (b) of this chapter shall apply to stock (or participation certificates) purchased as a condition for obtaining a lease. Sec. 616.6800 Disclosure requirements. (a) Each System institution shall furnish to each lessee a copy of all lease documents signed by the lessee in connection with the lease, within a reasonable time following lease closing. (b) Each System institution shall render its decision on a lease application in as expeditious a manner as is practical. Upon reaching a decision on a lease application, the institution shall provide prompt written notice of its decision to the applicant. PART 618--GENERAL PROVISIONS 17. The authority citation for part 618 continues to read as follows: Authority: Secs. 1.5, 1.11, 1.12, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.12, 3.1, 3.7, 4.12, 4.13A, 4.25, 4.29, 5.9, 5.10, 5.17 of the Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2013, 2019, 2020, 2073, 2075, 2076, 2093, 2122, 2128, 2183, 2200, 2211, 2218, 2243, 2244, 2252). Subpart C--Leasing Subpart C--[Removed and Reserved] 18. Subpart C, consisting of Secs. 618.8050 and 618.8060, is removed and reserved. PART 621--ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 19. The authority citation for part 621 continues to read as follows: Authority: Secs. 5.17, 8.11 of the Farm Credit Act (12 U.S.C. 2252, 2279aa-11). Subpart C--Loan Performance and Valuation Assessment Sec. 621.7 [Amended] 20. Section 621.7 is amended by removing the reference ``Sec. 614.4358(a)(2)'' and adding in its place, the reference ``Sec. 614.4359(a)(2)'' in paragraph (a)(2)(iii). * * * * * Dated: October 20, 1998. Floyd Fithian, Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board. [FR Doc. 98-28480 Filed 10-22-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6705-01-P