(a) In addition to any other legal remedy available to HUD, HUD may take the following actions with respect to a MAP lender:

(1) Warning letter;

(2) Probation;

(3) Suspension;

(4) Termination;

(5) Limited Denial of Participation (LDP);

(6) Referral to the Mortgagee Review Board; and

(7) Referral to the Office of Inspector General.

(b) The actions listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section are carried out in accordance with the requirements of this subpart. An LDP is a sanction applied in accordance with subpart J of 2 CFR part 2424 to participants in loan transactions other than FHA-insured lenders. The Mortgagee Review Board procedures are found at 24 CFR part 25.

(a) In general. HUD may issue a warning letter, which specifies problems or violations identified by HUD, to a MAP lender.

(b) Effect of warning letter. The warning letter:

(1) Does not suspend a lender's MAP privileges;

(2) May impose a higher level of review of the lender's underwriting by HUD;

(3) May direct the taking of a corrective action; and

(4) May require a meeting in a designated HUD office with the principal owners or officers, or both, of the MAP lender to discuss the specified problems and violations, and possible corrective actions.

(c) Relationship to other sanctions. The issuance of a warning letter is not subject to the MAP Lender Review Board procedures in accordance with § 200.1535, and is not a prerequisite to the probation, or suspension, or termination of MAP privileges.

(a) In general. Only the MAP Lender Review Board (or Board) may place a lender on probation, in accordance with the procedures of § 200.1535.

(b) Effect of probation. (1) Probation is intended to be corrective in nature and not punitive. As a result, release from probation is conditioned upon the lender meeting a specific requirement or requirements, such as replacement of a staff member. A lender's failure to take prompt corrective action after being placed on probation may be the basis for a recommendation of either suspension or termination. Any such recommendation shall, when possible, go to a MAP Lender Review Board composed of the same members who issued the original probation.

(2) During the probation period, a MAP lender:

(i) Shall be removed from the MAP-Approved Lender list posted on HUD's website;

(ii) May not submit, and HUD may not accept, materials after the close of business of the date of the probation letter for a new application under MAP for multifamily mortgage insurance from HUD; and

(iii) May continue to process any existing application for multifamily mortgage insurance submitted to a Multifamily Hub or Program Center before the date of the probation letter.

(3) The MAP Lender Review Board may impose a higher level of review of the lender's underwriting by HUD;

(4) Probation is nationwide in effect.

(c) Duration of probation. (1) Probation continues until all specific corrective actions required by the MAP Lender Review Board (for example, exclusion of a specific staff member from work on MAP loans) are taken by the MAP lender. When all corrective actions have been taken, the MAP lender shall notify the Board. Once the Board is satisfied that the corrective actions have occurred, the probation period shall end.

(2) A false statement that corrective action has been taken constitutes a false certification and may constitute a violation of 18 US.C. 1001.

(3) When probation is lifted, the lender's name shall be promptly reinstated on the MAP-Approved Lender list posted on HUD's Web site.

(a) In general. Only the MAP Lender Review Board may suspend a lender's eligibility for MAP, in accordance with the procedures of § 200.1535.

(b) Effect of suspension. (1) A suspension may impose any conditions that may be imposed by probation.

(2) During the suspension period a MAP lender:

(i) Shall be removed from the MAP-approved lender list posted on HUD's Web site;

(ii) May not submit, and the HUD field office may not accept, materials after the close of business of the date of the suspension letter for a new application for multifamily mortgage insurance from HUD; and

(iii) May continue to process any existing application for multifamily mortgage insurance submitted to a Multifamily Hub or Program Center before the date of the suspension letter.

(3) The MAP Lender Review Board may impose a higher level of review of the lender's underwriting by HUD;

(4) Suspension is nationwide in effect.

(c) Duration of suspension. (1) Suspension may not exceed 12 months, except where conditions are imposed. If both a time period and conditions are imposed, a suspension shall terminate only when:

(i) The time period of the suspension has expired;

(ii) The MAP lender has submitted a certification of compliance with those conditions to the Board; and

(iii) The Board has notified the MAP lender it has received the certification of compliance and is satisfied that the corrective actions have occurred.

(2) When suspension is lifted, the lender's name shall be promptly reinstated on the MAP-Approved Lender list posted on HUD's Web site.

(a) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, only the MAP Lender Review Board may terminate a lender's MAP privileges, in accordance with the procedures of § 200.1535.

(b) Administrative termination. HUD will notify a lender of immediate termination of MAP privileges when either of the following circumstances is present:

(1) Failure by the MAP lender to maintain its status as an FHA-approved lender; or

(2) Failure by the MAP lender to maintain a minimum level of MAP lender activity, as evidenced by failure to submit either a pre-application package or firm commitment application at least once every 12 months.

(c) Effect of termination. (1) The terminated lender shall be removed from the MAP-Approved Lender list on HUD's Web site.

(2) A terminated lender may not submit, and the HUD field office may not accept, materials after the close of business of the date of the termination letter for new multifamily mortgage insurance from HUD.

(3) Any MAP pre-application or MAP application in process may no longer be processed under MAP by the terminated lender. The lender will either:

(i) Immediately transfer the transaction to the traditional application processing (TAP) procedure. HUD will completely reprocess all stages of the transaction; or

(ii) Immediately transfer the project to a new MAP lender. The new MAP lender must completely reprocess all stages of the transaction. At no time can the new MAP lender assign the pre-application, the firm application, the mortgage insurance commitment, or the insured construction loan back to the original MAP lender.

(4) HUD will not endorse any MAP loan processed by the terminated lender unless a firm commitment was issued before the date of termination.

(i) Firm commitments involving new construction or substantial rehabilitation must be immediately transferred to a new MAP lender. At no time can the new MAP lender assign the firm mortgage insurance commitment, or the insured construction loan, back to the original MAP lender.

(ii) Firm commitments issued for Section 223(f) projects may be transferred before final endorsement to any approved FHA lender or kept in the lender's portfolio.

(iii) For those construction loans that have been initially endorsed, the MAP lender will lose its MAP privileges for construction loan administration. HUD will assume all the construction loan administration duties it normally performs for TAP processing.

(iv) The original lender may service a transferred loan once it is finally endorsed.

(5) Termination is nationwide in effect.

(6) When a MAP lender loses its MAP lender status as a result of termination, the lender's status to process transactions using TAP is unaffected, provided that the lender has maintained its status as an FHA-approved multifamily lender.

(d) Reinstatement. An application for reinstatement of MAP authority may not be made until at least 12 months after the date of termination. The requirements for reinstatement shall be the same as for initial qualification, and the applicant must show that the problems that led to termination have been resolved.

(a) HUD staff, as authorized, may negotiate a settlement agreement with a MAP lender before or after the issuance of a warning letter or referral to the MAP Lender Review Board. Once a matter has been referred to the MAP Lender Review Board, only the Board may approve a settlement agreement.

(b) Settlement agreements may provide for:

(1) Cessation of any violation;

(2) Correction or mitigation of the effects of any violation;

(3) Removal of lender staff from positions involving origination, underwriting, and/or construction loan administration;

(4) Actions to collect sums of money wrongfully or incorrectly paid by the MAP lender to a third party;

(5) Implementation or revision of a quality control plan or other corrective measure acceptable to HUD; and

(6) Modification of the duration or provisions of any administrative sanction deemed to be appropriate by HUD.

(c) A MAP lender's compliance with a settlement agreement is evidenced by the lender certifying its compliance with the conditions of the agreement, and HUD's determination that the lender is in compliance with the conditions of the agreement.

(d) Failure by a MAP lender to comply with a settlement agreement may result in a probation, or suspension, or termination of MAP privileges, or referral to the Mortgagee Review Board.

It is HUD policy that approved MAP lenders are expected to comply at all times with HUD's underwriting and construction loan administration requirements and not to take any action that presents a risk to HUD's insurance funds. A MAP lender's improper underwriting and construction loan administration activities may lead to a warning letter or other sanction from HUD. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Minor offenses that may be the basis for a warning letter include:

(1) Failure to provide required exhibits or the submission of incomplete or inaccurate exhibits. Although the MAP lender will be permitted to correct minor errors or provide additional information, substantial inaccuracies or lack of significant information will result in a return of the application and retention of any fee collected;

(2) Repeated failure to complete processing to firm commitment unrelated to an underwriting analysis that demonstrates that the process should not proceed to firm commitment;

(3) Preparation of an underwriting summary that is not supported by the appropriate documentation and analysis;

(4) Failure to notify the HUD processing office promptly of changes in the mortgage loan application for a firm commitment submitted, such as changes in rents, numbers of units, or gross project area;

(5) Failure to meet MAP closing requirements or construction loan administration requirements;

(6) Business practices that do not conform to those generally accepted by prudent lenders or that show irresponsibility; and

(7) Failure to cooperate with a Lender Qualifications and Monitoring Division review by HUD.

(b) Serious offenses that might be a basis for a warning letter or probation, suspension, or termination include:

(1) Receipt of multiple warning letters over any one-year period. In determining which sanction to pursue as a result of prior warning letters, HUD will consider the facts and circumstances surrounding those warning letters and the corrective actions, if any, undertaken by the lender;

(2) Fraud or material misrepresentation in the lender's participation in FHA multifamily programs;

(3) Lender collusion with, or influence upon, third party contractors to modify reports affecting the contractor's independent evaluation;

(4) A violation of MAP procedures by a third party contractor, which the MAP lender knew, or should have known, was occurring and which, if performed by the MAP lender itself, would constitute a ground for a sanction under this chapter;

(5) Evidence that a lender's inadequate or inaccurate underwriting was a cause for assignment of an FHA-insured mortgage and claim for insurance benefits to HUD;

(6) Identity-of-interest violations as defined by Chapter 2 of the MAP Guide;

(7) Payment by, or receipt of a payment by, a MAP lender of any kickback or other consideration, directly or indirectly, which would affect the lender's independent evaluation, or represent a conflict of interest, in connection with any FHA-insured mortgage transaction;

(8) Failure to comply with any agreement, certification, undertaking, or condition of approval listed in a MAP lender's application for approval;

(9) Noncompliance with any requirement or directive of the MAP Lender Review Board;

(10) Violation of the requirements of any contract with HUD, or violation of the requirements in any statute or regulation;

(11) Submission of false information, or a false certification, to HUD in connection with any MAP mortgage transaction;

(12) Failure of a MAP lender to respond in a timely manner to inquiries from the MAP Lender Review Board in accordance with this subpart;

(13) Indictment or conviction of a MAP lender or any of its officers, directors, principals, or employees for an offense that reflects on the responsibility, integrity, or ability of the lender to participate in the MAP initiative;

(14) Employing or retaining an officer, partner, director, or principal at the time when the person was suspended, debarred, ineligible, or subject to an LDP under 2 CFR part 2424, or otherwise prohibited from participation in HUD programs, when the MAP lender knew or should have known of the prohibition;

(15) Employing or retaining an employee who is not an officer, partner, director, or principal, and who is or will be working on HUD-FHA program matters, at a time when that person was suspended, debarred, ineligible, or subject to an LDP under 2 CFR part 2424, or otherwise prohibited from participation in HUD programs, when the MAP lender knew or should have known of the prohibition;

(16) Failure to cooperate with an audit or investigation by the HUD Office of Inspector General or an inquiry by HUD into the conduct of the MAP lender's FHA-insured loans; and

(17) Failure to fund MAP mortgage loans or any misuse of mortgage loan proceeds.

(a) Authority—(1) Sanctions. The MAP Lender Review Board (or Board) is authorized to impose appropriate sanctions on a MAP lender after:

(i) Conducting an impartial review of all information and documentation submitted to the Board; and

(ii) Making factual determinations that there has been a violation of MAP requirements.

(2) Settlement agreements. The Board is authorized to approve settlement agreements in accordance with § 200.1525 of any matter pending before the Board.

(3) Extensions. The Board is authorized to extend, on its own initiative or for good cause at the written request of a MAP lender, any time limit otherwise applicable under this section. Notice of any such extension shall be timely provided to a MAP lender.

(b) Notice of violation. Before the Board reviews a matter for consideration of a sanction, the Board's Chairman will issue written notice of violation to the MAP lender's contact person as listed on the Multifamily MAP Web site. The notice is sent by overnight delivery and must be signed for by an employee of the MAP lender upon receipt. The notice:

(1) Informs the lender that the Board is considering a specific violation;

(2) States the specific facts alleged concerning the violation, with citation to the HUD requirements that have been violated;

(3) Includes as attachments copies of all documents evidencing the violation and upon which the Board will rely in reaching a decision;

(4) Provides the lender with the opportunity to request in writing, within 15 business days after the date of the issuance of the notice, to:

(i) Meet for an informal conference with the Board in person or by video conference using HUD facilities at Headquarters or one of HUD's field offices; and

(ii) Present written evidence and any other relevant information at the conference;

(5) Requires a written response to be submitted to the Board by a date specified within the notice;

(6) Provides the street address, email address, or facsimile (FAX) number for purposes of receiving the lender's request for an informal conference and written response; and

(7) Is made part of the administrative record of the Board's decision of the matter.

(c) Response to notice. (1) The MAP lender's written response required by the notice of violation may not exceed 15 double-spaced typewritten pages and must include an executive summary, a statement of the facts, an argument, and a conclusion. The response and supporting documentation must be submitted in triplicate.

(2) Failure to respond by the dates specified within the notice may result in a determination by the Board without conducting an informal conference with the MAP lender and without consideration of any written response submitted by the MAP lender.

(d) Informal conference. (1) The Board will schedule an informal conference and notify the lender of the time and place of the conference, if one is requested.

(2) At the conference, the Board will meet with the lender or its designees and HUD staff to review documentary evidence and presentations by both sides.

(3) Oral statements made at the informal meeting will not be considered as part of the administrative record of the Board's determination, except:

(i) The Board may note for the record and consider voluntary admissions, made by the lender or a representative of the lender, of any element of the violation charged;

(ii) Statements substantiated by any additional documents or evidence submitted in accordance with paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(3) of this section; and

(iii) Transcripts prepared and submitted in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(e) Post-conference submissions. (1) Any additional documents, evidence, or written arguments relevant to the notice of violation and the informal conference that the lender or HUD staff wish to present to the Board, must be presented within five business days after date of the informal conference.

(2) No transcript of the informal conference will be made, unless the lender elects to have a transcript made by a certified court reporter at its own expense. If the lender elects to have a transcript made, the lender must provide three copies of the transcript to HUD within five business days after the date of the informal conference. The transcript will not become a part of the administrative record of the Board's decision unless it is submitted within the required five-day period frame.

(3) Following the receipt of any post-conference submissions, the Board may request or permit additional documents or evidence to be submitted within a period set by the Board for inclusion in the administrative record.

(f) Board action. (1) The Board will confer to consider the evidence included in the administrative record and make a final decision concerning the matter. Any record of confidential communications between and among Board members at this stage of the proceedings is privileged from disclosure and will not be regarded as a part of the administrative record of any matter.

(2) In determining what action is appropriate concerning the matter, the Board considers, among other factors:

(i) The seriousness and the extent of the violation;

(ii) Any history of prior offenses;

(iii) Deterrence of future violations;

(iv) Any inappropriate benefits received by the MAP lender;

(v) Potential inappropriate benefit to other persons; and

(vi) Any mitigating factors.

(3) Board decisions will be determined by majority vote.

(g) Notice of action. (1) The Board will issue its final decision within 10 business days after the date of the informal conference or the expiration of any period allowed for the submission of documents and evidence, whichever is later.

(2) The Board will notify the MAP lender of its final decision by overnight delivery of a written notice of the final decision to the MAP lender's contact person as listed on the Multifamily MAP Web site. The Board will also notify HUD field offices of its final decision.

(3) The final decision finds that a violation either does, or does not, exist. If a violation is found to exist, the final decision:

(i) States the violation and any factual findings of the Board;

(ii) States the nature and duration of the sanction;

(iii) Informs the MAP lender of its right to an appeal conference and identifies the appeals official to be contacted; and

(iv) May add to or modify the violation as stated in the initial notice of violation.

The Board may issue an imminent harm notice of action to terminate a MAP lender, or to place a MAP lender on probation or suspension without advance notice to the MAP lender in those instances where the Board determines there exists a need to protect the financial interest of HUD from imminent harm. In all such instances, the Board shall notify the lender of the Board's decision promptly and give the reasons for the decision in accordance with § 200.1535(g)(2) and (3). The lender shall have the right to submit materials to the Board and to appear before the Board to seek prompt reconsideration of the Board's decision in accordance with the procedures of § 200.1535.

(a) Request for appeal. Whenever the Board imposes a sanction of probation, suspension, or termination against a MAP lender, the lender may request, in writing, an appeal conference before the appeals official. The MAP lender must deliver the written request for an appeal to the appeals official within 10 business days after the date noted on the notice of action or the right to an appeal is deemed waived. Participation in the appeal process under this section is not a prerequisite to filing an action for judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) Appeals Official. The appeals official must be an individual who has not been previously involved with the proceedings or settlement discussions at issue.

(c) Notice of action in effect. The notice of action issued by the Board remains in effect while the appeal is pending.

(d) Scheduling of appeal. (1) Upon receipt of the request for an appeal, the appeals official will promptly notify the MAP lender of the time and place of the appeal conference. The appeal conference will be held within 10 business days after receipt of the MAP lender's appeal request, except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) A MAP lender may request, and the appeals official may agree, to have an appeal conference held more than 10, but not more than 30 business days after the date of the lender's request for an appeal.

(e) Scope of appeal. The appeals official may consider information included in the administrative record and any new information presented at the appeal conference that is substantiated in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. In addition, the appeals official may consider voluntary admissions by the lender or a representative of the lender of any element of the violation charged.

(f) Additional documents—(1) Transcript. No transcript of the appeal conference will be made, unless the MAP lender elects to have a transcript made by a certified court reporter at its own expense. If the lender elects to have a transcript made, it must provide three copies of the transcript to the appeals official within five business days after the date of the appeal conference.

(2) Other documents. Any additional, relevant documents or written arguments that the MAP lender wishes to present to the appeals official must be presented within five business days after the date of the appeal conference.

(g) Determination of appeal. Within 10 business days after the date of the appeal conference or the expiration of the period allowed for the submission of documents and written arguments, whichever is later, the appeals official will make a written determination to confirm, modify, or overturn the Board's decision and notice of action. If the appeals official overturns the Board's decision, the lender shall immediately return to an active status as a MAP lender and the written determination to overturn will be posted on HUD's MAP Web site.