Collapse to view only § 1498. Rules and regulations

§ 1481. Loan guaranties and insurance
(a) In general
In order to provide access to private money sources which otherwise would not be available, the Secretary may—
(1) guarantee not to exceed 90 per centum of the unpaid principal and interest due on any loan made to any organization of Indians having a form or organization satisfactory to the Secretary, and to individual Indians; or
(2) insure loans under an agreement approved by the Secretary whereby the lender will be reimbursed for losses in an amount not to exceed 15 per centum of the aggregate of such loans made by it, but not to exceed 90 per centum of the loss on any one loan.
(b) Eligible borrowers
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 201, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 79; Pub. L. 98–449, § 4, Oct. 4, 1984,
§ 1482. Premium charges; deposits in Indian Loan Guaranty and Insurance Fund

The Secretary shall fix such premium charges for the insurance and guarantee of loans as are in his judgment adequate to cover expenses and probable losses, and deposit receipts from such charges in the Indian Loan Guaranty and Insurance Fund established pursuant to section 1497(a) of this title.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 202, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 79.)
§ 1483. Interest rate

Loans guaranteed or insured pursuant to this subchapter shall bear interest (exclusive of premium charges for insurance, and service charge, if any) at rates not to exceed such per centum per annum on the principal obligation outstanding as the Secretary determines to be reasonable taking into consideration the range of interest rates prevailing in the private market for similar loans and the risks assumed by the United States.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 203, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 79.)
§ 1484. Application for loan; approval by Secretary; issuance of certificate; limitations on amount of loans to individual Indians or economic enterprises; review by Secretary

The application for a loan to be guaranteed hereunder shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. The Secretary may review each loan application individually and independently from the lender. Upon approval, the Secretary shall issue a certificate as evidence of the guaranty. Such certificate shall be issued only when, in the judgment of the Secretary, there is a reasonable prospect of repayment. No loan to an individual Indian may be guaranteed or insured which would cause the total unpaid principal indebtedness to exceed $500,000. No loan to an economic enterprise (as defined in section 1452 of this title) in excess of $250,000, or such lower amount as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate, shall be insured unless prior approval of the loan is obtained from the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 204, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 79; Pub. L. 98–449, § 5, Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1725; Pub. L. 100–442, § 1, Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1763; Pub. L. 101–644, title III, § 303(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4668; Pub. L. 107–331, title I, § 103(a), Dec. 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 2836.)
§ 1485. Sale or assignment of loans and underlying security
(a) In generalAll or any portion of a loan guaranteed or insured under this subchapter, including the security given for the loan—
(1) may be transferred by the lender by sale or assignment to any person; and
(2) may be retransferred by the transferee.
(b) Transfers of loansWith respect to a transfer described in subsection (a)—
(1) the transfer shall be consistent with such regulations as the Secretary shall promulgate under subsection (h); and
(2) the transferee shall give notice of the transfer to the Secretary.
(c) Full faith and credit
(1) In general
(2) Validity
(d) Damages
(e) Fees
(1) In general
(2) Compensation of fiscal transfer agent
(f) Central registration of loansOn promulgation of final regulations under subsection (h), the Secretary shall—
(1) provide for a central registration of all guaranteed or insured loans transferred under this section; and
(2) enter into 1 or more contracts with a fiscal transfer agent—
(A) to act as the designee of the Secretary under this section; and
(B) to carry out on behalf of the Secretary the central registration and fiscal transfer agent functions under this section.
(g) Pooling of loans
(1) In general
(2) Regulations
(h) Regulations
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 205, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 100–442, § 2, Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1763; Pub. L. 107–331, title I, § 103(b), Dec. 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 2836; Pub. L. 109–221, title IV, § 401(b), May 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 342.)
§ 1486. Loans ineligible for guaranty or insurance

Loans made by any agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government (not including an eligible Community Development Finance Institution), or by an organization of Indians from funds borrowed from the United States, and loans the interest on which is not included in gross income for the purposes of chapter 1 of title 26 shall not be eligible for guaranty or insurance hereunder.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 206, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 109–221, title IV, § 401(c), May 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 342.)
§ 1487. Loans eligible for insurance

Any loans insured hereunder shall be restricted to those made by a financial institution subject to examination and supervision by an agency of the United States, a State, or the District of Columbia, and to loans made by Indian organizations from their own funds to other tribes or organizations of Indians.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 207, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80.)
§ 1488. Lenders authorized to make loans; decrease or increase of liability under the guaranty

Loans guaranteed hereunder may be made by any lender satisfactory to the Secretary, except as provided in section 1486 of this title. The liability under the guaranty shall decrease or increase pro rata with any decrease or increase in the unpaid portion of the obligation.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 208, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80.)
§ 1489. Loans made by certain financial institutions without regard to limitations and restrictions of other Federal statutes with respect to certain particulars

Any loan made by any national bank or Federal savings and loan association, or by any bank, trust company, building and loan association, or insurance company authorized to do business in the District of Columbia, at least 20 per centum of which is guaranteed hereunder, may be made without regard to the limitations and restrictions of any other Federal statute with respect to (a) ratio of amount of loan to the value of the property; (b) maturity of loans; (c) requirement of mortgage or other security; (d) priority of lien; or (e) percentage of assets which may be invested in real estate loans.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 209, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80.)
§ 1490. Maturity of loans

The maturity of any loan guaranteed or insured hereunder shall not exceed thirty years.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 210, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80.)
§ 1491. Defaults; written notification; pro rata payments; subrogation and assignment rights of Secretary; cancellation of uncollectable portion of obligations; forbearance for benefit of borrower; interest or charges cessation date

In the event of a default of a loan guaranteed hereunder, the holder of the guaranty certificate may immediately notify the Secretary in writing of such default and the Secretary shall thereupon pay to such holder the pro rata portion of the amount guaranteed and shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of the guaranty and receive an assignment of the obligation and security. The Secretary may cancel the uncollectable portion of any obligation, to which he has an assignment or a subrogated right under this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any forbearance for the benefit of the borrower as may be agreed upon by the parties to the loan and approved by the Secretary. The Secretary may establish the date, not later than the date of judgment and decree of foreclosure or sale, upon which accrual of interest or charges shall cease.

(
§ 1492. Claims for losses; submission to Secretary; reimbursement: single and aggregate loss limitations, conditions; assignment of note or judgment; collection or cancellation by Secretary; interest or charges cessation date

When a lender suffers a loss on a loan insured hereunder, including accrued interest, a claim therefor shall be submitted to the Secretary. If the Secretary finds that the loss has been suffered, he shall reimburse the lender therefor: Provided, That the amount payable to the lender for a loss on any one loan shall not exceed 90 per centum of such loss: Provided further, That no reimbursement may be made for losses in excess of 15 per centum of the aggregate of insured loans made by the lender: Provided further, That before any reimbursement is made, all reasonable collection efforts shall have been exhausted by the lender, and the security for the loan shall have been liquidated to the extent feasible, and the proceeds applied on the debt. Upon reimbursement, in whole or in part, to the lender, the note or judgment evidencing the debt shall be assigned to the United States, and the lender shall have no further claim against the borrower or the United States. The Secretary shall then take such further collection action as may be warranted, or may cancel the uncollectable portion of any debt assigned pursuant hereto. The Secretary may establish a date upon which accrual of interest or charges shall cease.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 212, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 80.)
§ 1493. Loan refusal; conditions; prohibition against acquisition of additional loans; payment of claims on loans made in good faith

Whenever the Secretary finds that any lender or holder of a guaranty certificate fails to maintain adequate accounting records, or to demonstrate proper ability to service adequately loans guaranteed or insured, or to exercise proper credit judgment, or has willfully or negligently engaged in practices otherwise detrimental to the interests of a borrower or of the United States, he may refuse, either temporarily or permanently, to guarantee or insure any further loans made by such lender or holder, and may bar such lender or holder from acquiring additional loans guaranteed or insured hereunder: Provided, That the Secretary shall not refuse to pay a valid guaranty or insurance claim on loans previously made in good faith.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 213, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 81.)
§ 1494. Evidence of eligibility of loan for and amount of guaranty or insurance; defenses and partial defenses against original lender

Any evidence of guaranty or insurance issued by the Secretary shall be conclusive evidence of the eligibility of the loan for guaranty or insurance under the provisions of this chapter and the amount of such guaranty or insurance: Provided, That nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from establishing, as against the original lender, defenses based on fraud or material misrepresentation or bar him from establishing, by regulations in force at the date of such issuance or disbursement, whichever is the earlier, partial defenses to the amount payable on the guaranty or insurance.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 214, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 81.)
§ 1495. Land and personal property titles

Title to any land purchased by a tribe or by an individual Indian with loans guaranteed or insured pursuant to this subchapter may be taken in trust, unless the land is located outside the boundaries of a reservation or a tribal consolidation area approved by the Secretary. Title to any land purchased by a tribe or an individual Indian which is outside the boundaries of the reservation or approved consolidation area may be taken in trust if the purchaser was the owner of trust or restricted interests in the land before the purchase, otherwise title shall be taken in the name of the purchaser without any restriction on alienation, control, or use. Title to any personal property purchased with loans guaranteed or insured hereunder shall be taken in the name of the purchaser.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 215, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 81.)
§ 1496. Powers of Secretary; finality of financial transactions and property acquisitions, management, and dispositions
The financial transactions of the Secretary incident to or arising out of the guarantee or insurance of loans and surety bonds, and the acquisition, management, and disposition of property, real, personal, or mixed, incident to such activities, shall be final and conclusive upon all officers of the Government. With respect to matters arising out of the guaranty or insurance program authorized by this subchapter, and notwithstanding the provisions of any other laws, the Secretary may—
(a) sue and be sued in his official capacity in any court of competent jurisdiction;
(b) subject to the specific limitations in this subchapter, consent to the modification, with respect to the rate of interest, time of payment on principal or interest or any portion thereof, security, or any other provisions of any note, contract, mortgage, or other instrument securing a loan or surety bond which has been guaranteed or insured hereunder;
(c) subject to the specific limitations in this subchapter, pay, or compromise, any claim on, or arising because of any loan or surety bond guaranty or insurance;
(d) subject to the specific limitations in this subchapter, pay, compromise, waive, or release any right, title, claim, lien, or demand, however acquired, including, but not limited to, any equity or right of redemption;
(e) purchase at any sale, public or private, upon such terms and for such prices as he determines to be reasonable, and take title to property, real, personal, or mixed; and similarly sell, at public or private sale, exchange, assign, convey, or otherwise dispose of such property; and
(f) complete, administer, operate, obtain, and pay for insurance on, and maintain, renovate, repair, modernize, lease, or otherwise deal with any property acquired or held pursuant to the guaranty or insurance program authorized by this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 216, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 81; Pub. L. 100–442, § 5(c), Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1764.)
§ 1497. Indian Loan Guaranty and Insurance Fund
(a) Establishment of revolving fund
(b) Aggregate loans or surety bonds limitation
(c) Assets, liabilities, and obligations of fund; loan and surety bond servicing and purchasing agreements: terms and conditions
(d) Utilization of fund for diverse payments
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 217, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 82; Pub. L. 98–449, § 7, Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1725; Pub. L. 100–442, §§ 3, 4(a), (b), 5(d), Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1763, 1764; Pub. L. 105–362, title VIII, § 801(b), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3287; Pub. L. 109–221, title IV, § 401(d), May 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 343.)
§ 1497a. Supplemental surety bond guarantee
(a) Amount; eligibility
(b) Conditions
The Secretary may provide a supplemental guarantee under this section only if the Secretary determines that—
(1) the Indian individual or economic enterprise has secured or will likely secure a surety bond guarantee under section 694b of title 15;
(2) the supplemental guarantee is necessary for the Indian individual or economic enterprise to secure a surety bond;
(3) no more than 25 percent of the surety’s business is comprised of bonds guaranteed pursuant to this section; and
(4) the surety will provide appropriate technical assistance and advice to, and monitor the performance of, the Indian individual or economic enterprise for the prevention or mitigation of a loss.
(c) Fees and charges
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 218, as added Pub. L. 100–442, § 5(a), Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1764.)
§ 1498. Rules and regulations

The Secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 219, formerly § 218, Apr. 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 82; renumbered § 219, Pub. L. 100–442, § 5(a), Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1764.)
§ 1499. Limitation on guarantee of debt issues; approval of bond issue sale
(a) The Secretary may guarantee not to exceed 90 percent of the unpaid principal and interest due on an issue of bonds, debentures, or similar obligations issued by an organization satisfactory to the Secretary. Such an issue shall be deemed a loan for purposes of sections 1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486, 1489, 1490, 1491, 1493, 1494, 1495, 1496, and 1497 of this title.
(b) The method by which an issue of bonds guaranteed under this section may be sold shall be subject to approval by the Secretary.
(Pub. L. 93–262, title II, § 220, as added Pub. L. 100–442, § 6, Sept. 22, 1988, 102 Stat. 1764.)