[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 260-263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30867]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION


Office of Small Credit Unions (OSCUI) Loan Program Access for 
Credit Unions

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is issuing a 
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite eligible credit unions 
to submit applications for participation in the OSCUI Loan Program 
(a.k.a. Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF)), subject to 
funding availability. The OSCUI Loan Program serves as a source of 
financial support, in the form of loans, for credit unions serving 
predominantly low-income members. It also serves as a source of funding 
to help low-income designated credit unions (LICUs) respond to 
emergencies arising in their communities.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency

A. Program Description

    The purpose of the OSCUI Loan Program is to assist low-income 
designated credit unions (LICU) in providing basic financial services 
to their members to stimulate economic activities in their communities. 
Through the OSCUI Loan Program, NCUA provides financial support in the 
form of loans to LICUs. These funds help improve and expand the 
availability of financial services to these members. The OSCUI Loan 
Program also serves as a source of funding to help LICUs respond to 
emergencies. The Loan Program consists of Congressional appropriations 
that are administered by OSCUI, an office of the NCUA.
    Permissible Uses of Funds: NCUA will consider requests for funds 
consistent with the purpose of the OSCUI Loan Program. 12 CFR 705.1. A 
non-exhaustive list of examples of permissible uses or projects of loan 
proceeds are contained in Sec.  705.4 of the regulation, and include: 
(i) Development of new products or services for members including new 
or expanded share draft or credit card programs; (ii) Partnership 
arrangements with community based service organizations or government 
agencies; (iii) Loan programs, including, but not lmited to, micro 
business loans, payday loan alternatives, education loans, and real 
estate loans; (iv) Acquisition, expansion or improvement of office 
space or equipment, including branch facilities, ATMs, and electronic 
banking facilities; and (v) Operational programs such as security and 
disaster recovery.
    NCUA will consider other proposed uses of funds that in its sole 
discretion it determines are consistent with the purpose of the OSCUI 
Loan Program, the requirements of the regulations, and this NOFO.
    Regulation: Part 705 of NCUA's regulations implements the OSCUI 
Grant and Loan Program. 12 CFR 705. A revised Part 705 was published on 
November 2, 2011. 76 FR 67583. Additional requirements are found at 12 
CFR parts 701 and 741. Applicants should review these regulations in 
addition to this NOFO. Each capitalized term in this NOFO is more fully 
defined in the regulations, the loan application, and the loan 
agreement. For the purposes of this NOFO, an Applicant is a Qualifying 
Credit Union that submits a complete Application to NCUA under the 
OSCUI Loan Program.

B. Federal Award Information

    OSCUI loans are made to LICUs that meet the requirements in the 
program regulation and this NOFO, subject to funds availability. OSCUI 
loans are generally made at lower than market interest rates.
    Congress has not made an appropriation to the OSCUI Loan Program 
for Fiscal Years 2014-2015. NCUA expects to lend approximately $5.2 
million under this NOFO, derived from appropriated and earned funds. 
Monies for additional loans come from scheduled loan amortizations. 
NCUA reserves the right to: (i) Award more or less than the amount 
cited above; (ii) fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the 
applications submitted in response to this NOFO; and (iii) reallocate 
funds from the amount that is anticipated to be available under this 
NOFO to other programs, particularly if NCUA determines that the number 
of awards made under this NOFO is fewer than projected.
    The specific terms and conditions governing a loan will be 
established in the loan documents each Participating Credit Union will 
sign prior to disbursement of funds. The following are the general loan 
terms under the program
    1. Maximum Loan Amount: NCUA expects that most loans made under 
this NOFO will be in an amount less than or equal to $300,000. NCUA has 
determined that loans of this size will help maximize allocation of 
this limited resource among many credit unions. However, NCUA will 
consider funding requests in excess of $300,000 from Applicants that 
demonstrate the need and capability to effectively deploy such funding; 
and have a high probability of realizing significant impact, while 
maintaining financial and operational soundness. NCUA may consider 
other factors for the approval of funding requests in excess of 
$300,000 and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. See

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Section D and E of this NOFO for additional information.
    2. Dates: The application open period is from January 1, 2015 thru 
December 31, 2015. Funds may be exhausted prior to this deadline, at 
which time the programs/funds will no longer be available.
    3. Maturity: Loans will generally mature in five years. A credit 
union may request a shorter loan period, but in no case will the term 
exceed five years.
    4. Interest: The interest rate on loans is governed by the Loan 
Interest Rate Policy, which can be found on NCUA's Web site at http://www.ncua.gov/Resources/OSCUI/Pages/Loans.aspx.
    5. Repayment: All loans must be repaid to NCUA regardless of how 
they are accounted for by the Participating Credit Union.
    (a) Principal: The entire principal is due at maturity.
    (b) Interest: Interest is due in semi-annual payments beginning six 
months after the initial distribution of the loan.
    (c) Principal Prepayment: There is no penalty for principal 
prepayment. Principal prepayments may be made as often as monthly.
    6. Renewals: Not Applicable.

C. Eligibility Information

    The regulations specify the requirements a credit union must meet 
in order to be eligible to apply for assistance under this NOFO. See 12 
CFR 705. Following are additional requirements for participating in the 
Loan Program under this NOFO.
    1. Eligible Applicants: A credit union must have a Low-Income 
Credit Union (LICU) designation, or equivalent in the case of a 
Qualifying State-chartered Credit Union, in order to participate in the 
OSCUI Grant and Loan Program. Requirements for obtaining the 
designation are found at 12 CFR 701.34.
    2. Matching Funds: Part 705.5(g) of NCUA's regulations describe the 
overall requirements for matching funds. NCUA, in its sole discretion, 
may require matching funds of an Applicant, on a case-by-case basis 
depending on the financial condition of the Applicant. NCUA anticipates 
that most Applicants will not be required to obtain matching funds. 
However, each Applicant should address in the Application its strategy 
for raising matching funds if NCUA determines matching funds are 
required (see 12 CFR part 705 and the Application for additional 
information).
    (a) Matching Funds Requirements: The specific terms and covenants 
pertaining to any matching funds requirement will be provided in the 
loan agreement of the Participating Credit Union. Following, are 
general matching requirements. NCUA, in its sole discretion, may amend 
these requirements depending upon its evaluation of the Applicant, but 
in no case will the amended requirements be greater than the conditions 
listed below.
    (i) The amount of matching funds required must generally be in an 
amount equal to the loan amount.
    (ii) Matching funds must be from non-governmental member or 
nonmember share deposits.
    (iii) Any loan monies matched by nonmember share deposits are not 
subject to the 20% limitation on nonmember deposits under Sec.  701.32 
of NCUA's regulations.
    (iv) Participating Credit Unions must maintain the outstanding loan 
amount in the total amount of share deposits for the duration of the 
loan. Once the loan is repaid, nonmember share deposits accepted to 
meet the matching requirement are subject to Sec.  701.32 of NCUA's 
regulations.
    (b) Criteria for Requiring Matching Funds: NCUA will use the 
following criteria to determine whether to require an Applicant to have 
matching funds as a condition of its loan.
    (i) CAMEL Composite Rating
    (ii) CAMEL Management Component Rating
    (iii) CAMEL Asset Quality
    (iv) Regional Director Concurrence
    (v) Net Worth Ratio
    (c) Documentation of Matching Funds: NCUA may contact the matching 
funds source to discuss the matching funds and the documentation that 
the Applicant has provided. If NCUA determines that any portion of the 
Applicant's matching funds is ineligible under this NOFO, NCUA, in its 
sole discretion, may permit the Applicant to offer alternative matching 
funds as a substitute for the ineligible matching funds. In this case: 
(i) The Applicant must provide acceptable alternative matching funds 
documentation within 10 business days of NCUA's request.
    3. Other Eligiblity Requirements:
    (a) Financial Viability: Applicants must meet the underwriting 
standards established by NCUA, including those pertaining to financial 
viability, as set forth in the application and found in 12 CFR 
705.6(c).
    (b) Compliance with Past Agreements: In evaluating funding requests 
under this NOFO, NCUA will consider an Applicant's record of compliance 
with past agreements, including any deobligation of funds. NCUA, in its 
sole discretion, will determine whether to consider an Application from 
an Applicant with a past record of noncompliance, including any 
deobligation (i.e. removal of unused awards) of funds.
    (i) Default Status: If an Applicant is in default of a previously 
executed agreement with NCUA, NCUA will not consider an Application for 
funding under this NOFO.
    (ii) Undisbursed Funds: NCUA may not consider an Application if the 
Applicant is a prior awardee under the OSCUI Grant Program and has 
unused grant awards as of the date of Application.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Form: The application and related documents can be 
found on NCUA's Web site at www.ncua.gov/OSCUI/GrantsandLoans.
    2. Minimum Application Content: Each Applicant must complete and 
submit information regarding the applicant and requested funding. In 
addition, applicants will be required to certify applications prior to 
submission.
    (a) DUNS Number: NCUA will not consider an Application that does 
not include a valid Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number 
issued by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B). Such an Application will be deemed 
incomplete and will be declined. See Section 3 for additional 
information.
    (b) Employer Identification Number: Each Application must include a 
valid and current Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the 
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). NCUA will not consider an 
application that does not include a valid and current EIN. Such an 
Application will be deemed incomplete and will be declined. Information 
on how to obtain a EIN may be found on the IRS's Web site at 
www.irs.gov.
    (c) Abbreviated Application: An Applicant requesting a loan amount 
of $300,000 or less is permitted to complete a short online application 
form that limits the amount of required narrative responses. The 
required narratives will address the proposed use of funds; the credit 
union's ability to obtain matching funds, if required; and how the 
credit union will assess the impact of the funding.
    (d) Narrative Responses: Each Application must include the 
narratives listed below. Applicants must adhere to character 
limitations contained in the Application. NCUA will not read or 
consider narrative comments beyond the limits specified. Additionally, 
NCUA will read only information requested in the Application and will 
not read attachments that have not been requested in this NOFO or the 
Application.

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    (i) Use of Funds: A narrative describing how it intends to use the 
loan proceeds. The narrative should demonstrate that the loan will 
enhance the products and services the credit union provides to its 
members. It also should describe how those enhanced products and 
services will support the economic development of the community served 
by the credit union.
    (ii) Matching Funds: A narrative describing its strategy for 
raising matching funds from non-federal sources if matching funds are 
required.
    (e) Large Loans: An Applicant requesting a loan in excess of 
$300,000 is required to complete an online application form that 
contains additional narrative comments supporting such request. The 
additional narrative consists of a business plan.
    (i) Business Plan: As detailed in Part 705 of NCUA's regulations, 
the business plan must: Describe the community's need for financial 
products and services and the Applicant's need for funding; summarize 
the services, financial products, and services provided by the 
Applicant; describe the Applicant's involvement with other entities; 
describe the credit union's marketing strategy to reach members and the 
community; and include financial projections.
    (f) Non-federally Insured Applicants:
    (i) Additional Application Requirements: Each Applicant that is a 
non-federally insured, state-chartered credit union must submit 
additional application materials. These additional materials are more 
fully described in Sec.  705.6(b)(3) of NCUA's regulations and in the 
Application.
    (ii) Examination by NCUA: Non-federally insured, state-chartered 
credit unions must agree to be examined by NCUA. The specific terms and 
covenants pertaining to this condition will be provided in the loan 
agreement of the Participating Credit Union.
    3. Dun and Bradstreet Univeral Numbering System (DUNS) Number and 
System for Award Management (SAM): Based on an Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) policy directive effective October 31, 2003, credit unions 
are required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its 
application; (ii) provided a valid Data Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number issued by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B); and (iii) continue to 
maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all 
times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or 
plan under consideration. NCUA will not consider an Application that 
does not include a valid DUNS number. Such an Application will be 
deemed incomplete and will be declined. Information on how to obtain a 
DUNS number may be found on D&B's Web site at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling D&B, toll-free, at 1-866-705-5711.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: The application open period is from 
January 1, 2015 thru December 31, 2015. Funds may be exhausted prior to 
this deadline, at which time the programs/funds will no longer be 
available.
    5. Other Submission Requirements: Under this NOFO, Applications 
must be submitted online at http://www.cybergrants.com/ncua.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Review and Selection Process:
    (a) Eligibility and Completeness Review: NCUA will review each 
Application to determine whether it is complete and that the Applicant 
meets the eligibility requirements described in the Regulations and in 
this NOFO. An incomplete Application or one that does not meet the 
eligibility requirements will be declined without further 
consideration.
    (b) Substantive Review: After an Applicant is determined eligible 
and its Application is determined complete, NCUA will conduct a 
substantive review in accordance with the criteria and procedures 
described in the Regulations and this NOFO. NCUA reserves the right to 
contact the Applicant during its review for the purpose of clarifying 
or confirming information contained in the Application. If so 
contacted, the Applicant must respond within the time specified by NCUA 
or NCUA, in its sole discretion, may decline the application without 
further consideration.
    (c) Evaluation and Scoring: The evaluation criteria are more fully 
described in Sec.  705.6 of NCUA's regulations. NCUA will evaluate each 
Application that receives a substantive review on the four criteria 
categories described in the regulation: Financial Performance, 
Compatibility, Feasibility, and Examination Information and Concurrence 
from Regional Director of Qualifying Credit Unions.
    (i) Assessment of Impact: The Compatibility criteria will take into 
consideration the extent of community need and projected impact of the 
funding on the Applicant's members and community.
    (ii) Effective Strategy: The Feasibility criteria will take into 
consideration the quality of the Applicant's strategy and its capacity 
to execute the strategy as demonstrated by its past performance, 
partnering relationships, and other relevant factors.
    (iii) Evaluating Prior Award Performance: For prior participants of 
the OSCUI Grant and Loan Program, loans may not be awarded if the 
participant: (1) Is noncompliant with any active award; (2) failed to 
make timely loan payments to NCUA during fiscal years prior to the date 
of Application; and (3) had an award deobligated (i.e. removal of 
unused awarded funds) during fiscal years prior to the date of 
Application.
    (d) Input from Examiners: NCUA will not approve an award to a 
credit union for which its NCUA regional examining office or State 
Supervisory Agency (SSA), if applicable, indicates it has safety and 
soundness concerns. If the NCUA regional office or SSA identifies a 
safety and soundness concern, OSCUI, in conjunction with the regional 
office or SSA, will assess whether the condition of the Applicant is 
adequate to undertake the activities for which funding is requested, 
and the obligations of the loan and its conditions. NCUA, in its sole 
discretion, may defer decision on funding an Application until the 
credit union's safety and soundness conditions improve.
    (e) Funding Selection: NCUA will make its funding selections based 
on a consistent scoring tier where each applicant will receive an 
individual score. NCUA will consider the impact of the funding. In 
addition, NCUA may consider the geographic diversity of the Applicants 
in its funding decisions. When loan demand is high applications will be 
ranked based on the aforementioned.

F. Federal Award Administration

    1. Federal Award Notices: NCUA will notify each Applicant of its 
funding decision. Notification will generally be by email. Applicants 
that are approved for funding will also receive instructions on how to 
proceed with disbursement of the loan.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
    (a) Loan Agreements: Each Participating Credit Union under this 
NOFO must enter into agreement with NCUA before NCUA will disburse loan 
funds. The agreement documents include, for example, a promissory note, 
loan agreement, and security agreement (if applicable). The Loan 
Agreement will include the terms and conditions of funding, including 
but not limited to the: (i) Loan amount; (ii) interest rate; (iii) 
repayment requirements; (iv) accounting treatment; (v) impact measures; 
and (vi) reporting requirements.

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    (b) Failure to Sign Agreement: NCUA, in its sole discretion, may 
rescind a loan offer if the Applicant fails to return the signed loan 
documents and/or any other requested documentation, within the time 
specified by NCUA.
    (c) Multiple Disbursements: NCUA may determine, in its sole 
discretion, to fund a loan in multiple disbursements. In such cases, 
the process for disbursement will be specified by NCUA in the Loan 
Agreement.
    3. Reporting: Annually, each Participating Credit Union will submit 
an annual report to NCUA. The report will address the Participating 
Credit Union's use of the loan funds; the impact of funding; and 
explanation of any failure to meet objectives for use of proceeds, 
outcome, or impact. NCUA, in its sole discretion, may modify these 
requirements. However, such reporting requirements will be modified 
only after notice to affected credit unions.
    Report Form: Applicable credit unions will be notified regarding 
the submission of the report form. A Participating Credit Union is 
responsible for timely and complete submission of the report. NCUA will 
use such information to monitor each Participating Credit Union's 
compliance with the requirements of its loan agreement and to assess 
the impact of the OSCUI Loan Program.

G. Agency Contacts

    1. Methods of Contact: Further information can be found at: 
www.ncua.gov/OSCUI/grantsandloans. For questions email: National Credit 
Union Administration, Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives at 
[email protected].
    2. Information Technology Support: People who have visual or 
mobility impairments that prevent them from using NCUA's Web site 
should call (703) 518-6610 for guidance (this is not a toll free 
number).

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1756, 1757(5)(D), and (7)(I), 1766, 1782, 
1784, 1785 and 1786; 12 CFR 705.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on December 
29, 2014.
Jon Canerday,
Acting Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2014-30867 Filed 1-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P