68 FR 12 pgs. 2540-2541 - Loan Policies and Operations; Loan Syndication Transactions
Type: NOTICEVolume: 68Number: 12Pages: 2540 - 2541
FR document: [FR Doc. 03-1136 Filed 1-16-03; 8:45 am]
Agency: Farm Credit Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
RIN 3052-AC13
Loan Policies and Operations; Loan Syndication Transactions
AGENCY:
Farm Credit Administration.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is seeking public comment on the regulatory treatment of Farm Credit System (FCS or System) loan syndication transactions. The FCA has received requests to provide guidance about the scope of System institutions' authorities to engage in syndications that non-System lenders originate, and the FCA seeks input from the public before it responds.
DATES:
Please send your comments to the FCA by February 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments by electronic mail to reg-comm@fca.gov or through the Pending Regulations section of FCA's Web site, http://www.fca.gov. You may also send comments to Thomas G. McKenzie, Director, Regulation and Policy Division, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-5090 or by facsimile to (703) 734-5784. You may review copies of all comments we receive at our office in McLean, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis K. Carpenter, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, (703) 883-4498, TTY (703) 883-4434; or Richard A. Katz, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Farm Credit Administration, McLean, VA 22102-5090, (703) 883-4020, TTY (703) 883-2020.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
System institutions have asked the FCA to provide guidance on the regulatory treatment of loan syndications that they enter into with non-System lenders. The FCA Board recognizes the importance of funding to agriculture and rural America through multilender transactions, including loan syndications and participations.
The Board acknowledges that System institutions may desire to engage in loan syndications for many different reasons, some of which would include:
• Diversification of an institution's portfolio, which is often concentrated in certain industries or geographic regions;
• Diversification of an institution's portfolio relative to loan size and risk exposure limits;
• Increased revenue and in many cases, cooperative patronage arising from lower cost of credit delivery;
• Networking-strengthening cooperation and relationships between FCS institutions and non-System lenders;
• Increased knowledge of specific industries;
• Support for existing and potential customer bases; and
• Expanded opportunities to provide complementary services such as appraisal services, industry expertise, loan origination and payment collection expertise, and administrative capacity.
Several System institutions have suggested that loan syndications should be treated as part of their participation authority. However, we have previously indicated that loan syndication transactions come within the System's direct loan authorities. If loan syndications were treated as within the System's direct loan authority, the System's share of a loan syndication would be subject to the stock purchase, borrower rights, and territorial concurrence requirements of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (Act) and applicable regulations. In addition, Farm Credit banks operating under title I of the Act that have transferred their direct lending authority to their affiliated associations would not be authorized to enter into loan syndications. Finally, System institutions would not be authorized to purchase assignments of loan syndications from outside the System.
II. Questions
We recognize that the financial markets and the funding needs of agriculture continue to evolve. We support the need of the System to evolve with agriculture and the financial markets. Therefore, we seek your comments on the following:
1. What is the proper regulatory treatment of loan syndications?
2. Assuming syndication transactions are within the System's loan-making authority, should the FCA consider regulatory changes that allow: (a) Borrowers to waive borrower rights in syndication transactions; and (b) associations to take part in syndications to eligible borrowers who are located in the chartered territories of other associations without consent?
3. If the FCA would choose to recommend legislative changes to Congress regarding the System's authority to engage in various types of multilender transactions with non-System lenders, what specifically should the FCA include in its recommendation?
Dated: January 14, 2003.
Jeanette C. Brinkley,
Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.
[FR Doc. 03-1136 Filed 1-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6705-01-P