USC Subchapter II

USC Subchapter II
in effect

12 U.S.C. § 4741 Findings and purposes

(a) FindingsThe Congress finds that—(1) small business concerns are a vital part of the economy, accounting for the majority of new jobs, new products, and new services created in the United States; (2) adequate access to debt capital is a critical component for small business development, productivity, expansion, and success in the United States; (3) commercial banks are the most important suppliers of debt capital to small business concerns in the United States; (4) commercial banks and other depository institutions have various incentives to minimize their risk in financing small business concerns; (5) as a result of such incentives, many small business concerns with economically sound financing needs are unable to obtain access to needed debt capital; (6) the small business capital access programs implemented by certain States are a flexible and efficient tool to assist financial institutions in providing access to needed debt capital for many small business concerns in a manner consistent with safety and soundness regulations; (7) a small business capital access program would complement other programs which assist small business concerns in obtaining access to capital; and (8) Federal policy can stimulate and accelerate efforts by States to implement small business capital access programs by providing an incentive to States, while leaving the administration of such programs to each participating State. (b) PurposesBy encouraging States to implement administratively efficient capital access programs that encourage commercial banks and other depository institutions to provide access to debt capital for a broad portfolio of small business concerns, and thereby promote a more efficient and effective debt market, the purposes of this subchapter are—(1) to promote economic opportunity and growth; (2) to create jobs; (3) to promote economic efficiency; (4) to enhance productivity; and (5) to spur innovation.

12 U.S.C. § 4742 Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter— (1) the term “Fund” means the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund established under section 4703 of this title; (2) the term “appropriate Federal banking agency”—(A) has the same meaning as in section 1813 of this title; and (B) includes the National Credit Union Administration Board in the case of any credit union the deposits of which are insured in accordance with the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.]; (3) the term “early loan” means a loan enrolled at a time when the aggregate covered amount of loans previously enrolled under the Program by a particular participating financial institution is less than $5,000,000; (4) the term “enrolled loan” means a loan made by a participating financial institution that is enrolled by a participating State in accordance with this subchapter; (5) the term “financial institution” means any federally chartered or State-chartered commercial bank, savings association, savings bank, or credit union; (6) the term “participating financial institution” means any financial institution that has entered into a participation agreement with a participating State in accordance with section 4744 of this title; (7) the term “participating State” means any State that has been approved for participation in the Program in accordance with section 4743 of this title; (8) the term “passive real estate ownership” means ownership of real estate for the purpose of deriving income from speculation, trade, or rental, except that such term shall not include—(A) the ownership of that portion of real estate being used or intended to be used for the operation of the business of the owner of the real estate (other than the business of passive ownership of real estate); or (B) the ownership of real estate for the purpose of construction or renovation, until the completion of the construction or renovation phase; (9) the term “Program” means the Small Business Capital Enhancement Program established under this subchapter; (10) the term “reserve fund” means a fund, established by a participating State, earmarked for a particular participating financial institution, for the purposes of—(A) depositing all required premium charges paid by the participating financial institution and by each borrower receiving a loan under the Program from a participating financial institution; (B) depositing contributions made by the participating State; and (C) covering losses on enrolled loans by disbursing accumulated funds; and (11) the term “State” means—(A) a State of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) any political subdivision of a State of the United States, which subdivision has a population in excess of the population of the least populated State of the United States; and (D) any other political subdivision of a State of the United States that the Fund determines has the capacity to participate in the program.11 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

12 U.S.C. § 4743 Approving States for participation

(a) ApplicationAny State may apply to the Fund for approval to be a participating State under the Program and to be eligible for reimbursement by the Fund pursuant to section 4747 of this title. (b) Approval criteriaThe Fund shall approve a State to be a participating State, if—(1) a specific department or agency of the State has been designated to implement the Program; (2) all legal actions necessary to enable such designated department or agency to implement the Program have been accomplished; (3) funds in the amount of at least $1 for every 2 people residing in the State (as of the last decennial census for which data have been released) are available and have been legally committed to contributions by the State to reserve funds, with such funds being available without time limit and without requiring additional legal action, except that such requirements shall not be construed to limit the authority of the State to take action at a later time that results in the termination of its obligation to enroll loans and make contributions to reserve funds; (4) the State has prescribed a form of participation agreement to be entered into between it and each participating financial institution that is consistent with the requirements and purposes of this subchapter; and (5) the State and the Fund have executed a reimbursement agreement that conforms to the requirements of this subchapter. (c) Existing State programs(1) In generalA State that is not a participating State, but that has its own capital access program providing portfolio insurance for business loans (based on a separate loss reserve fund for each financial institution), may apply at any time to the Fund to be approved to be a participating State. The Fund shall approve such State to be a participating State, and to be eligible for reimbursements by the Fund pursuant to section 4747 of this title, if the State—(A) satisfies the requirements of subsections (a) and (b); and (B) certifies that each affected financial institution has satisfied the requirements of section 4744 of this title. (2) Applicable terms of participation(A) Status of institutionsIf a State is approved for participation under paragraph (1), each financial institution with a participation agreement in effect with the participating State shall immediately be considered a participating financial institution. Reimbursements may be made under section 4747 11 See References in Text note below. of this title in connection with all contributions made to the reserve fund by the State in connection with lending that occurs on or after the date on which the Fund approves the State for participation. (B) Effective date of participationIf an amended participation agreement that conforms with section 4745 of this title is required in order to secure participation approval by the Fund, contributions subject to reimbursement under section 4747 of this title shall include only those contributions made to a reserve fund with respect to loans enrolled on or after the date that an amended participation agreement between the participating State and the participating financial institution becomes effective. (C) Use of accumulated reserve fundsA State that is approved for participation in accordance with this subsection may continue to implement the program 22 So in original. Probably should be capitalized. utilizing the reserve funds accumulated under the State program. (d) Prior appropriations requirementThe Fund shall not approve a State for participation in the Program until at least $50,000,000 has been appropriated to the Fund (subject to an appropriations Act), without fiscal year limitation, for the purpose of making reimbursements pursuant to section 4747 of this title and otherwise carrying out this subchapter. (e) Amendments to agreementsIf a State that has been approved to be a participating State wishes to amend its form of participation agreement and continue to be a participating State, such State shall submit such amendment for review by the Fund in accordance with subsection (b)(4). Any such amendment shall become effective only after it has been approved by the Fund.

12 U.S.C. § 4744 Participation agreements

(a) In generalA participating State may enter into a participation agreement with any financial institution determined by the participating State, after consultation with the appropriate Federal banking agency, to have sufficient commercial lending experience and financial and managerial capacity to participate in the Program. The determination by the State shall not be reviewable by the Fund. (b) Participating financial institutionsUpon entering into the participation agreement with the participating State, the financial institution shall become a participating financial institution eligible to enroll loans under the Program.

12 U.S.C. § 4745 Terms of participation agreements

(a) In generalThe participation agreement to be entered into by a participating State and a participating financial institution shall include all provisions required by this section, and shall not include any provisions inconsistent with the provisions of this section. (b) Establishment of separate reserve fundsA separate reserve fund shall be established by the participating State for each participating financial institution. All funds credited to a reserve fund shall be the exclusive property of the participating State. Each reserve fund shall be an administrative account for the purposes of—(1) receiving all required premium charges to be paid by the borrower and participating financial institution and contributions by the participating State; and (2) disbursing funds, either to cover losses sustained by the participating financial institution in connection with loans made under the Program, or as contemplated by subsections (d) and (r). (c) Investment authoritySubject to applicable State law, the participating State may invest, or cause to be invested, funds held in a reserve fund by establishing a deposit account at the participating financial institution in the name of the participating State. In the event that funds in the reserve fund are not deposited in such an account, such funds shall be invested in a form that the participating State determines is safe and liquid. (d) Earned income and interestInterest or income earned on the funds credited to a reserve fund shall be deemed to be part of the reserve fund, except that a participating State may, as further specified in the participation agreement, provide authority for the participating State to withdraw some or all of such interest or income earned. (e) Loan terms and conditions(1) In generalA loan to be filed for enrollment under the Program may be made with such interest rate, fees, and other terms and conditions as agreed upon by the participating financial institution and the borrower, consistent with applicable law. (2) Lines of creditIf a loan to be filed for enrollment is in the form of a line of credit, the amount of the loan shall be considered to be the maximum amount that can be drawn by the borrower against the line of credit. (f) Enrollment process(1) Filing(A) In generalA participating financial institution shall file each loan made under the Program for enrollment by completing and submitting to the participating State a form prescribed by the participating State. (B) FormThe form referred to in subparagraph (A) shall include a representation by the participating financial institution that it has complied with the participation agreement in enrolling the loan with the State. (C) Premium chargesAccompanying the completed form shall be the nonrefundable premium charges paid by the borrower and the participating financial institution, or evidence that such premium charges have been deposited into the deposit account containing the reserve fund, if applicable. (D) SubmissionThe participation agreement shall require that the items required by this subsection shall be submitted to the participating State by the participating financial institutions not later than 10 calendar days after a loan is made. (2) Enrollment by StateUpon receipt by the participating State of the filing submitted in accordance with paragraph (1), the participating State shall promptly enroll the loan and make a matching contribution to the reserve fund in accordance with subsection (j), unless the information submitted indicates that the participating financial institution has not complied with the participation agreement in enrolling the loan. (g) Coverage amountIn filing a loan for enrollment under the Program, the participating financial institution may specify an amount to be covered under the Program that is less than the full amount of the loan. (h) Premium charges(1) Minimum and maximum amountsThe premium charges payable to the reserve fund by the borrower and the participating financial institution shall be prescribed by the participating financial institution, within minimum and maximum limits set forth in the participation agreement. The participation agreement shall establish minimum and maximum limits whereby the sum of the premium charges paid in connection with a loan by the borrower and the participating financial institution is not less than 3 percent nor more than 7 percent of the amount of the loan covered under the Program. (2) Allocation of premium chargesThe participation agreement shall specify terms for allocating premium charges between the borrower and the participating financial institution. However, if the participating financial institution is required to pay any of the premium charges, the participation agreement shall authorize the participating financial institution to recover from the borrower the cost of the payment of the participating financial institution, in any manner on which the participating financial institution and the borrower agree. (i) Restrictions(1) Actions prohibitedExcept as provided in subsection (h) and paragraph (2) of this subsection, the participating State may not—(A) impose any restrictions or requirements, relating to the interest rate, fees, collateral, or other business terms and conditions of the loan; or (B) condition enrollment of a loan in the Program on the review by the State of the risk or creditworthiness of a loan. (2) Effect on other lawNothing in this subchapter shall affect the applicability of any other law to the conduct by a participating financial institution of its business. (j) State contributionsIn enrolling a loan under the Program, the participating State shall contribute to the reserve fund an amount, as provided for in the participation agreement, which shall not be less than the sum of the amount of premium charges paid by the borrower and the participating financial institution. (k) Submission of claims(1) FilingIf a participating financial institution charges off all or part of an enrolled loan, such participating financial institution may file a claim for reimbursement with the participating State by submitting a form that—(A) includes the representation by the participating financial institution that it is filing the claim in accordance with the terms of the applicable participation agreement; and (B) contains such other information as may be required by the participating State. (2) TimingAny claim filed under paragraph (1) shall be filed contemporaneously with the action of the participating financial institution to charge off all or part of an enrolled loan. The participating financial institution shall determine when and how much to charge off on an enrolled loan, in a manner consistent with its usual method for making such determinations on business loans that are not enrolled loans under this subchapter. (l) Elements of claimsA claim filed by a participating financial institution may include the amount of principal charged off, not to exceed the covered amount of the loan. Such claim may also include accrued interest and out-of-pocket expenses, if and to the extent provided for under the participation agreement. (m) Payment of claims(1) In generalExcept as provided in subsection (n) and paragraph (2) of this subsection, upon receipt of a claim filed in accordance with this section and the participation agreement, the participating State shall promptly pay to the participating financial institution, from funds in the reserve fund, the full amount of the claim as submitted. (2) Insufficient reserve fundsIf there are insufficient funds in the reserve fund to cover the entire amount of a claim of a participating financial institution, the participating State shall pay to the participating financial institution an amount equal to the current balance in the reserve fund. If the enrolled loan for which the claim has been filed—(A) is not an early loan, such payment shall be deemed fully to satisfy the claim, and the participating financial institution shall have no other or further right to receive any amount from the reserve fund with respect to such claim; or (B) is an early loan, such payment shall not be deemed fully to satisfy the claim of the participating financial institution, and at such time as the remaining balance of the claim does not exceed 75 percent of the balance in the reserve fund, the participating State shall, upon the request of the participating financial institution, pay any remaining amount of the claim. (n) Denial of claimsA participating State may deny a claim if a representation or warranty made by the participating financial institution to the participating State at the time that the loan was filed for enrollment or at the time that the claim was submitted was known by the participating financial institution to be false. (o) Subsequent recovery of claim amountIf, subsequent to payment of a claim by the participating State, a participating financial institution recovers from a borrower any amount for which payment of the claim was made, the participating financial institution shall promptly pay to the participating State for deposit into the reserve fund the amount recovered, less any expenses incurred by the institution in collection of such amount. (p) Participation agreement terms(1) In generalIn connection with the filing of a loan for enrollment in the Program, the participation agreement—(A) shall require the participating financial institution to obtain an assurance from each borrower that—(i) the proceeds of the loan will be used for a business purpose; (ii) the loan will not be used to finance passive real estate ownership; and (iii) the borrower is not—(I) an executive officer, director, or principal shareholder of the participating financial institution; (II) a member of the immediate family of an executive officer, director, or principal shareholder of the participating financial institution; or (III) a related interest of any such executive officer, director, principal shareholder, or member of the immediate family; (B) shall require the participating financial institution to provide assurances to the participating State that the loan has not been made in order to place under the protection of the Program prior debt that is not covered under the Program and that is or was owed by the borrower to the participating financial institution or to an affiliate of the participating financial institution; (C) may provide that if—(i) a participating financial institution makes a loan to a borrower that is a refinancing of a loan previously made to the borrower by the participating financial institution or an affiliate of the participating financial institution; (ii) such prior loan was not enrolled in the Program; and (iii) additional or new financing is extended by the participating financial institution as part of the refinancing, the participating financial institution may file the loan for enrollment, with the amount to be covered under the Program not to exceed the amount of any additional or new financing; and (D) may include additional restrictions on the eligibility of loans or borrowers that are not inconsistent with the provisions and purposes of this subchapter. (2) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection, the terms “executive officer”, “director”, “principal shareholder”, “immediate family”, and “related interest” refer to the same relationship to a participating financial institution as the relationship described in part 215 of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor to such part. (q) Termination clauseIn each participation agreement, the participating State shall reserve for itself the ability to terminate its obligation to enroll loans under the Program. Any such termination shall be prospective only, and shall not apply to amounts of loans enrolled under the Program prior to such termination. (r) Allowable withdrawals from fundThe participation agreement may provide that, if, for any consecutive period of not less than 24 months, the aggregate outstanding balance of all enrolled loans for a participating financial institution is continually less than the outstanding balance in the reserve fund for that participating financial institution, the participating State, in its discretion, may withdraw an amount from the reserve fund to bring the balance in the reserve fund down to the outstanding balance of all such enrolled loans. (s) Grandfathered provision(1) Special treatment of premium chargesNotwithstanding subsection (b) or (d), the participation agreement, if explicitly authorized by a statute enacted by the State before September 23, 1994, may allow a participating financial institution to treat the premium charges paid by the participating financial institution and the borrower into the reserve fund, and interest or income earned on funds in the reserve fund that are deemed to be attributable to such premium charges, as assets of the participating financial institution for accounting purposes, subject to withdrawal by the participating financial institution only—(A) for the payment of claims approved by the participating State in accordance with this section; and (B) upon the participating financial institution’s withdrawal from authority to make new loans under the Program. (2) Payment of post-withdrawal claimsAfter any withdrawal of assets from the reserve fund pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), any future claims filed by the participating financial institution on loans remaining in its capital access program portfolio shall only be paid from funds remaining in the reserve fund to the extent that, in the aggregate, such claims exceed the sum of the amount of such withdrawn assets, and interest on that amount, imputed at the same rate as income would have accrued had the amount not been withdrawn. (3) Conditions for terminating special authorityIf the Fund determines that the inclusion in a participation agreement of the provisions authorized by this subsection is resulting in the enrollment of loans under the Program that are likely to have been made without assistance provided under this subchapter, the Fund may notify the participating State that henceforth, the Fund will only make reimbursements to the State under section 4747 of this title with respect to a loan if the participation agreement between the participating State and each participating financial institution has been amended to conform with this section, without exercise of the special authority granted by this subsection.

12 U.S.C. § 4746 Reports

(a) Reserve funds reportOn or before the last day of each calendar quarter, a participating State shall submit to the Fund a report of contributions to reserve funds made by the participating State during the previous calendar quarter. If the participating State has made contributions to one or more reserve funds during the previous quarter, the report shall—(1) indicate the total amount of such contributions; (2) indicate the amount of contributions which is subject to reimbursement, which shall be equal to the total amount of contributions, unless one of the limitations contained in section 4747 of this title is applicable; (3) if one of the limitations in section 4747 of this title is applicable, provide documentation of the applicability of such limitation for each loan for which the limitation applies; and (4) include a certification by the participating State that—(A) the information provided in accordance with paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) is accurate; (B) funds in an amount meeting the minimum requirements of section 4743(b)(3) of this title continue to be available and legally committed to contributions by the State to reserve funds, less any amount that has been contributed by the State to reserve funds subsequent to the State being approved for participation in the Program; (C) there has been no unapproved amendment to any participation agreement or the form of participation agreements; and (D) the participating State is otherwise implementing the Program in accordance with this subchapter and regulations issued pursuant to section 4749 of this title. (b) Annual dataNot later than March 31 of each year, each participating State shall submit to the Fund annual data indicating the number of borrowers financed under the Program, the total amount of covered loans, and breakdowns by industry type, loan size, annual sales, and number of employees of the borrowers financed. (c) FormThe reports and data filed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall be in such form as the Fund may require.

12 U.S.C. § 4747 Reimbursement by Fund

(a) ReimbursementsNot later than 30 calendar days after receiving a report filed in compliance with section 4746 of this title, the Fund shall reimburse the participating State in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of contributions by the participating State to the reserve funds that are subject to reimbursement by the Fund pursuant to section 4746 of this title and this section. The Fund shall reimburse participating States, as it receives reports pursuant to section 4746(a) of this title, until available funds are expended. (b) Size of assisted borrowerThe Fund shall not provide any reimbursement to a participating State with respect to an enrolled loan made to a borrower that has 500 or more employees at the time that the loan is enrolled in the Program. (c) Three-year maximumThe amount of reimbursement to be provided by the Fund to a participating State over any 3-year period in connection with loans made to any single borrower or any group of borrowers among which a common enterprise exists shall not exceed $75,000. For purposes of this subsection, “common enterprise” shall have the same meaning as in part 32 of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor to that part. (d) Loans totaling less than $2,000,000In connection with a loan in which the covered amount of the loan plus the covered amount of all previous loans enrolled by a participating financial institution does not exceed $2,000,000, the amount of reimbursement by the Fund to the participating State shall not exceed the lesser of—(1) 75 percent of the sum of the premium charges paid to the reserve fund by the borrower and the participating financial institution; or (2) 5.25 percent of the covered amount of the loan. (e) Loans totaling more than $2,000,000In connection with a loan in which the sum of the covered amounts of all previous loans enrolled by the participating financial institution in the Program equals or exceeds $2,000,000, the amount of reimbursement to be provided by the Fund to the participating State shall not exceed the lesser of—(1) 50 percent of the sum of the premium charges paid by the borrower and the participating financial institution; or (2) 3.5 percent of the covered amount of the loan. (f) Other amountsIn connection with the enrollment of a loan that will cause the aggregate covered amount of all enrolled loans to exceed $2,000,000, the amount of reimbursement by the Fund to the participating State shall be determined—(1) by applying subsection (d) to the portion of the loan, which when added to the aggregate covered amount of all previously enrolled loans equals $2,000,000; and (2) by applying subsection (e) to the balance of the loan.

12 U.S.C. § 4748 Reimbursement to Fund

(a) In generalIf a participating State withdraws funds from a reserve fund pursuant to terms of the participation agreement permitted by subsection (d) or (r) of section 4745 of this title, such participating State shall, not later than 15 calendar days after such withdrawal, submit to the Fund an amount computed by multiplying the amount withdrawn by the appropriate factor, as determined under subsection (b). (b) FactorThe appropriate factor shall be obtained by dividing the total amount of contributions that have been made by the participating State to all reserve funds which were subject to reimbursement—(1) by 2; and (2) by the total amount of contributions made by the participating State to all reserve funds, including if applicable, contributions that have been made by the State prior to becoming a participating State if the State continued its own capital access program in accordance with section 4743(b) of this title. (c) Use of reimbursementsThe Fund may use funds reimbursed pursuant to this section to make reimbursements under section 4747 of this title.

12 U.S.C. § 4749 Regulations

The Fund shall promulgate appropriate regulations to implement this subchapter.

12 U.S.C. § 4750 Authorization of appropriations

(a) AmountThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $50,000,000 to carry out this subchapter. (b) Budgetary treatmentThe amount authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) shall be subject to discretionary spending caps, as provided in section 665 11 See References in Text note below. of title 2, and therefore shall reduce by an equal amount funds made available for other discretionary spending programs.

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