(a) When Federal appropriations are not available to cover the total subsidy cost, the Administrator will determine the Credit Risk Premium necessary for each direct loan or loan guarantee by estimating the credit risk and the potential recovery in the event of a default of each project evaluating the factors described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) Establishing the credit risk.

(1) Where an Applicant has received a recent credit rating from one or more nationally recognized rating agencies, that rating will be used to estimate the credit risk.

(2) Where an Applicant has not received a credit rating from a credit rating agency, the Administrator will determine the credit risk based on an evaluation of the following factors:

(i) Business risk, based on Applicant's:

(A) Industry outlook;

(B) Market position;

(C) Management and financial policies;

(D) Capital expenditures; and

(E) Operating efficiency.

(ii) Financial risk, based on Applicant's past and projected:

(A) Profitability;

(B) Liquidity;

(C) Financial strength;

(D) Size; and

(E) Level of capital expenditures; and

(iii) Project risk, based on the proposed project's:

(A) Potential for improving revenues, profitability and cash flow from operations; and

(B) Reliance on third parties for success.

(c) The potential recovery in the event of a default will be based on:

(1) The nature of the Applicant's assets; and

(2) Liquidation value of the collateral offered, including the terms and conditions of the lien securing the collateral.

(d)(1) Where the Credit Risk Premium determined pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section is a positive amount, the interest rate on the direct loan will be equal to not less than the rate set pursuant to § 260.9 plus an interest rate adjustment sufficient to result in a Credit Risk Premium of zero dollars.

(2) Paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall apply to a direct loan or loan guarantee only so long as the Act requires the Secretary to return Credit Risk Premiums paid on that loan or loan guarantee to the original source.

Potential Applicants may request a meeting with the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Development to discuss the nature of the project being considered. Applicants must be prepared to provide at least the following information:

(a) Applicant's name, address, and contact person;

(b) Name of the proposed infrastructure partner(s), if any, including the identification of potential amounts of funding from each;

(c) Amount of the direct loan or loan guarantee request, and a description of the technical aspects of the project including a map of the existing railroad lines with the location of the project indicated;

(d) Brief description and estimate of the economic impact, including future demand for service, improvements that can be achieved, the project's relation to the priorities listed in § 260.7, along with any feasibility, market or other studies that may have been done as attachments;

(e) Amount of Applicant's equity and a description of collateral offered, with estimated values, including the basis of such, to be offered as security for the loan;

(f) If applicable, the names and addresses of the Applicant's parent, affiliates, and subsidiary corporations, if any, and a description of the ownership relationship and the level of guarantee, if any, to be offered;

(g) For existing companies, a current balance sheet and an income statement not more than 90 days old and financial statements for the borrower and any parent, affiliates, and subsidiaries for at least the four most recent years; and

(h) Information relevant to the potential environmental impacts of the project in the context of applicable Federal law.