7 USC 1999 - Interest rate reduction program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 27, 2025

§ 1999.

Interest rate reduction program

(a)

Establishment of program

(b)

Contracts with lenders

Under such program, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with, and make payments to, a legally organized institution to reduce during the term of such contract the interest rate paid by a borrower on a guaranteed loan made by such institution if—

(1)

the borrower—

(A)

is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance the actual needs of the borrower at reasonable rates and terms, taking into consideration private and cooperative rates and terms for a loan for a similar purpose and period of time in the community in or near which the borrower resides;

(B)

is otherwise unable to make payments on such loan in a timely manner; and

(C)

has a total estimated cash income during the 24-month period beginning on the date such contract is entered into (including all farm and nonfarm income) that will equal or exceed the total estimated cash expenses to be incurred by the borrower during such period (including all farm and nonfarm expenses); and

(2)

the lender reduces during the term of such contract the annual rate of interest payable on such loan by a minimum percentage specified in such contract.

(c)

Payments to lenders

(d)

Duration of contracts

(e)

Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund use limitation

(1)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund established under section 1929 of this title may be used by the Secretary to carry out this section.

(2)

Maximum amount of funds.—

(A)

In general.—

The total amount of funds used by the Secretary to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall not exceed $750,000,000.

(B)

Beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers.—

(i)

In general.—

The Secretary shall reserve not less than 15 percent of the funds used by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) to make payments for guaranteed loans made to beginning farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2279(a) of this title).

(ii)

Duration of reservation of funds.—

Funds reserved for farmers or ranchers under clause (i) for a fiscal year shall be reserved only until March 1 of the fiscal year.

(f)

List of lender participants in guaranteed loan program

(g)

Foreclosure action provision in farm loan guarantees

(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 351, as added Pub. L. 99–198, title XIII, § 1320, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1532; amended Pub. L. 100–233, title VI, § 613(b), (c), Jan. 6, 1988, 101 Stat. 1674;

cite as: 7 USC 1999