§ 697d — Accredited Lenders Program

(a) The Administration is authorized to establish an Accredited Lenders Program for qualified State and local development companies that meet the requirements of subsection (b). (b) The Administration may designate a qualified State or local development company as an accredited lender if such company— (1) has been an active participant in the Development Company Program authorized by sections 696, 697, and 697a of this title for not less than the preceding 12 months; (2) has well-trained, qualified personnel who are knowledgeable in the Administration’s lending policies and procedures for such Development Company Program; (3) has the ability to process, close, and service financing for plant and equipment under such Development Company Program; (4) has a loss rate on the company’s debentures that is reasonable and acceptable to the Administration; (5) has a history of submitting to the Administration complete and accurate debenture guaranty application packages; and (6) has demonstrated the ability to serve small business credit needs for financing plant and equipment through the Development Company Program. (c) The Administration shall develop an expedited procedure for processing a loan application or servicing action submitted by a qualified State or local development company that has been designated as an accredited lender in accordance with subsection (b). (1) The designation of a qualified State or local development company as an accredited lender may be suspended or revoked if the Administration determines that— (A) the development company has not continued to meet the criteria for eligibility under subsection (b); or (B) the development company has failed to adhere to the Administration’s rules and regulations or is violating any other applicable provision of law. (2) A suspension or revocation under paragraph (1) shall not affect any outstanding debenture guarantee. (e) In this section, the term “qualified State or local development company” has the meaning given the term in section 697(e) of this title.