(a) Lender certifications. After borrower default and before filing a claim or assignment of the loan to the Agency, the lender must make every reasonable and prudent effort to resolve the default. The lender must provide the Agency with an accounting of all proposed and actual actions taken to cure the default. The lender must certify that all reasonable efforts to cure the default have been exhausted. Where the lender fails to comply with the terms of the loan guarantee agreement and the corresponding regulations and guidance with regard to liquidating the property, the Agency, at its option, may take possession of the security collateral and dispose of the property.

(b) Due diligence by lender. For all loan servicing actions where a market, net recovery or liquidation value determination is required, guaranteed lenders shall perform due diligence in conjunction with the appraisal and submit it to the Agency for review. The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment published by the American Society of Testing and Materials is considered an acceptable format for due diligence.

(c) Environmental review. The Agency is required to complete an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act, in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970. Servicing actions as defined in § 1970.6 are part of financial assistance already provided and do not require additional NEPA review. However, certain post-financial assistance actions that have the potential to have an effect on the environment, such as lien subordinations, sale or lease of Agency-owned real property, or approval of a substantial change in the scope of a project, as defined in § 1970.8, are subject to a NEPA analysis in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970.

(a) A decision to liquidate shall be made when it is determined that the default cannot be cured through actions contained in § 3565.403 or it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the Agency and the lender to liquidate. For interest accrual purposes, interest will accrue for 90 calendar days after the date the liquidation plan is approved by the Agency. If within 20 calendar days of the Agency's receipt of the liquidation plan, the Agency fails to respond to the lender's proposal or advise the lender to make revisions to the plan that was submitted, the liquidation plan will be approved by default, and the 90 calendar day period for interest accrual will commence.

(b) In the event of a default involving a loan to an Indian tribe or tribal corporation made under this section which is secured by an interest in land within such tribe's reservation (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), including a community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.), the lender shall only pursue liquidation after offering to transfer the account to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the Indian housing authority serving the tribe. If the lender subsequently proceeds to liquidate the account, the lender shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or alienate the property except to one of the entities described in the preceding sentence.

(a) Submission of the liquidation plan. The lender will, within 30 calendar days after a decision to liquidate, submit to the Agency in writing, its proposed detailed plan of liquidation. The Agency will inform the lender, in writing, whether the Agency concurs in the lender's liquidation plan. Should the Agency and the lender not agree on the liquidation plan, negotiations will take place between the Agency and the lender to resolve the disagreement. When the liquidation plan is approved by the Agency, the lender will proceed expeditiously with liquidation. The liquidation plan submitted to the Agency by the lender shall include:

(1) Satisfactory proof of the lender's ownership of the guaranteed loan promissory note and related security instruments.

(2) A copy of the payment ledger or equivalent which reflects the current loan balance and accrued interest to date and the method of computing the interest.

(3) A full and complete list of all collateral including any personal and corporate guarantees.

(4) The recommended liquidation methods for making the maximum collection possible on the indebtedness and the justification for such methods, including recommended actions for:

(i) Obtaining an appraisal of the collateral;

(ii) Acquiring and disposing of all collateral;

(iii) Collecting from guarantors;

(iv) Setting the proposed date of foreclosure; and

(v) Setting the proposed date of liquidation.

(5) Necessary steps for protection of the tenants and preservation of the collateral.

(6) Copies of the borrower's latest available financial statements.

(7) Copies of the guarantor's latest available financial statements.

(8) An itemized list of estimated liquidation expenses expected to be incurred along with justification for each expense.

(9) A schedule to periodically report to the Agency on the progress of liquidation.

(10) Estimated protective advance amounts with justification.

(11) Proposed protective bid amounts on collateral to be sold at auction and a breakdown to show how the amounts were determined.

(12) If a voluntary conveyance is considered, the proposed amount to be credited to the guaranteed debt.

(13) Any legal opinions supporting the decision to liquidate.

(14) The lender will obtain a complete appraisal report on all collateral securing the loan, which will reflect the fair market value and potential liquidation value, and an examination of the title on the collateral. In order to formulate a liquidation plan, which maximizes recovery, collateral must be evaluated for hazardous substances, petroleum products, or other environmental hazards, which may adversely impact the market value of the collateral.

(b) A transfer and assumption of the borrower's operation can be accomplished before or after the loan goes into liquidation. However, if the collateral has been purchased through foreclosure or the borrower has conveyed title to the lender, no transfer and assumption is permitted.

(c) A protective bid may be made by the lender, with prior Agency written approval, at a foreclosure sale to protect the lender's and the Agency's interest. The protective bid will not exceed the amount of the loan, including expenses of foreclosure, and should be based on the liquidation value considering estimated expenses for holding and reselling the property. These expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses for resale, interest accrual, length of weatherization, and prior liens.

(d) Filing an estimated loss claim. When the lender is conducting the liquidation and owns any or all of the guaranteed portion of the loan, the lender will file an estimated loss claim with the liquidation plan if the lender expects liquidation to exceed 90 calendar days. The estimated loss payment will be based on the outstanding loan amount minus the liquidation value of the collateral. For the purpose of reporting and loss claim computation, the loss claim will be promptly processed in accordance with applicable Agency regulations, as set forth in this section. The loss claim calculation will include 90 calendar days of interest accrual on the defaulted loan at the time the estimated loss claim is paid by the Agency. If the lender estimates that there will be no loss after considering the costs of liquidation, the lender submits an estimated loss claim of zero. Interest accrual will cease 90 calendar days after the date the liquidation plan is approved by the Agency.

(e) Property disposition. Once the liquidation plan has Agency approval, the lender must make every effort to liquidate the property in a manner that will yield the highest market value consistent with the protections afforded to tenants in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart L or successor regulation.

(f) Accounting and reports. When the lender conducts liquidation, the lender will account for funds during the period of liquidation and provide the Agency with reports at least quarterly on the progress of liquidation, including disposition of collateral, resulting costs, and additional procedures necessary for successful completion of the liquidation.

(g) Transmitting payments and proceeds to the Agency. When the Agency is the Holder of a portion of the guaranteed loan, the lender will transmit to the Agency its pro rata share of any payments received from the borrower, liquidation, or elsewhere.

The Agency, in its sole discretion, may choose to obtain an assignment of the loan from the lender or conveyance of title obtained by the lender through foreclosure or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

(a) Assignment. In the case of an assignment of the loan, the assignment of the security instruments or the security must be in written and recordable form. Completion of the assignment will occur once the following transactions are completed to the Agency's satisfaction.

(1) Conveyance to the Agency of all the lender's rights and interests arising under the loan.

(2) Assignment to the Agency of all claims against the borrower or others arising out of the loan transactions, including:

(i) All collateral agreements affecting financing, construction, use or operation of the property; and

(ii) All insurance or surety bonds, or other guarantees, and all claims under them.

(3) Certification that the collateral has been evaluated for the presence of contamination from the release of hazardous substances, petroleum products or other environmental hazards which may adversely impact the market value of the property and the results of that evaluation.

(b) Conveyance of title. In the case of a conveyance of title to the property, the lender must inform the Agency in advance of how it plans to acquire title and a timetable for doing so. The Agency will accept the conveyance upon receipt of an assignment to the Agency of all claims of the lender against the property and assignment of the lender's rights to any operating funds and any reserves or escrows established for the maintenance of the property or the payment of property taxes and insurance.

Once the lender has disposed of the property or the Agency has agreed to accept an assignment of the loan or conveyance of title to the property, the lender may file a claim for the guaranteed portion of allowable losses. All claim amounts must be calculated in accordance with this subpart and be approved by the Agency.

In all liquidation cases, final settlement will be made with the lender after the collateral is liquidated, unless otherwise designated as a future recovery or after settlement and compromise of all parties has been completed.

(a) Report of loss form. An Agency approved form will be used for calculations of all estimated and final loss determinations. Estimated loss payments will only be paid by the Agency after it has approved a liquidation plan.

(b) Estimated loss. An estimated loss claim based on liquidation appraisal value will be prepared and submitted by the lender.

(1) The estimated loss payment shall be applied as of the date of such payment. The total amount of the loss payment paid by the Agency will be applied by the lender on the loan debt. Such application does not release the borrower from liability.

(2) The Government's written authorization is required for all protective advances in excess of $5,000. Protective advances include, but are not limited to, advances made for property taxes, annual assessments, ground rent, hazard or flood insurance premiums affecting the collateral, and other expenses necessary to preserve or protect the security. Attorney fees are not a protective advance. A protective advance claim will be paid only at the time of the final report of loss payment except in certain transfer and assumption situations with Agency approval.

(c) Final loss. Within 30 calendar days after liquidation of all collateral, except for certain unsecured personal or corporate guarantees (as provided for in this section) is completed, a final report of loss on a form approved by the Agency must be prepared and submitted by the lender to the Agency. Before approval by the Agency of any final loss report, the lender must account for all funds during the period of liquidation, disposition of the collateral, all costs incurred, and any other information necessary for the successful completion of liquidation. Upon receipt of the final accounting and report of loss, the Agency may audit all applicable documentation to determine the final loss. The lender will make its records available and otherwise assist the Agency in making any investigation. The documentation accompanying the report of loss must support the amounts shown on the report of loss form.

(1) A determination must be made regarding the collectability of unsecured personal and corporate guarantees. If reasonably possible, such guarantees should be promptly collected prior to completion of the final loss report. However, in the event that collection from the guarantors appears unlikely or will require a prolonged period of time, the report of loss will be filed when all other collateral has been liquidated, and unsecured personal or corporate guarantees will be treated as a future recovery with the net proceeds to be shared on a pro rata basis by the lender and the Agency.

(2) The lender must document that all of the collateral has been accounted for and properly liquidated and that liquidation proceeds have been properly accounted for and applied correctly to the loan.

(3) The lender will show a breakdown of any protective advance amount as to the payee, purpose of the expenditure, date paid, and evidence that the amount expended was proper and that payment was actually made.

(4) The lender will show a breakdown of liquidation expenses as to the payee, purpose of the expenditure, date paid, and evidence that the amount expended was proper and that payment was actually made. Liquidation expenses are recoverable only from collateral proceeds.

(5) Accrued interest will be supported by documentation as to how the amount was accrued.

(6) Loss payments will be paid by the Agency within 60 calendar days after the receipt of the final loss report and accounting of the collateral.

(7) Should there be a circumstance where the lender cannot or will not sign a final report of loss, the State Director may complete the final report of loss and submit it to the Finance Office without the lender's signature. Before this action can be taken, all collateral must be disposed of or accounted for; there must be no evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, or negligent servicing by the lender; and all efforts to obtain the cooperation of the lender must have been exhausted and documented.

(d) Maximum guarantee payment. The maximum guarantee payment will not exceed the amount of guarantee percentage as contained in the guarantee agreement (but in no event more than 90%) times the allowable loss amount.

(e) Rent. Any net rental or other income that has been received by the lender from the collateral will be applied on the guaranteed loan debt after paying operating expenses of the property.

(f) Liquidation costs. Liquidation costs will be deducted from the proceeds of the disposition of primary collateral. If changed circumstances after submission of the liquidation plan require a substantial revision of liquidation costs, the lender will procure the Agency's written concurrence prior to proceeding with the proposed changes.

(g) Payment. When the Agency finds the final report of loss to be proper in all respects, it will approve the form and proceed as follows:

(1) If the loss is greater than any estimated loss payment, the Agency will pay the additional amount owed by the Agency to the lender.

(2) If the loss is less than the estimated loss payment, the lender will reimburse the Agency for the overpayment.

(3) If the Agency determines that it is in the Government's best interest to take assignment of the loan and conduct liquidation, as stipulated in 42 U.S.C. 1490(i)(3), Assignment by Secretary, the Agency will pay the lender in accordance with the Loan Note Guarantee.

(h) Date of loss. The date of loss is the date on which the collateral will be liquidated in the liquidation plan, unless an alternative date is approved by the Agency. Where the Agency chooses to accept an assignment of the loan or conveyance of title, the date of loss will be the date on which the Agency accepts assignment of the loan or conveyance of title.

(i) Allowable claim amount. The allowable claim amount must be calculated by:

(1) Adding to the unpaid principal and interest on the date of loss, an amount approved by the Agency for payments made by the lender for amounts due and owning on the property, including:

(i) Property taxes and other protective advances as approved by the Agency;

(ii) Water and sewer charges and other special assessments that are liens prior to the guaranteed loan;

(iii) Insurance of the property; and

(iv) Reasonable liquidation expenses.

(2) And by deducting the following items:

(i) Any amount received by the lender on the account of the guaranteed loan after the date of default;

(ii) Any net income received by the lender from the secured property after the date of default; and

(iii) Any cash items retained by the lender, except any amount representing a balance of the guaranteed loan not advanced to the borrower. Any loan amount not advanced will be applied by the lender to reduce the outstanding principal on the loan.

(j) Lender certification. The lender must certify that all possibilities of collection have been exhausted and that all of the items specified in paragraph (c) of this section have been identified and reported to the Agency as a condition for payment of claim.

If the lender provides timely written notice to the Agency of withdrawal of the claim, the guarantee will continue as if the default had not occurred if the borrower cures the default prior to foreclosure or prior to acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

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