source:
  type: guide
  id: usda-hb-3555-3.7
  authority: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶3.7 —
    Education And Outreach
  description: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶3.7
    — Education And Outreach.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: usda-hb-3555-3.7-full
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-3.7-full
  section: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶3.7 — Education
    And Outreach
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - usda
  - usda-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶3.7
      — Education And Outreach
    source_class: usda-handbook
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hb-1-3555_consolidated.pdf
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-05-25T14:10:13Z'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: '3.7 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH A. Lenders Rural Development has
      developed a series of educational modules for the SFHGLP which are available
      on the USDA Linc Training and Resource Library, located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/usda-linc-training-resource-library.
      These educational modules are available in addition to the mandatory lender
      trainings utilized for lender approval and recertification. Additional resources
      can be accessed on the Agency’s SFHGLP web page located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-
      services/single-family-housing-guaranteed-loan-program. HB-1-3555 (03-09-16)
      SPECIAL PN 3-10 Revised (07-21-23) PN 588 Guidance documents lack the force
      and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into
      a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available
      through their guidance portal, except to establish historical facts. B. Agency
      The Agency will conduct outreach and lender education activities to encourage
      eligible lending institutions to apply for approved lender status, as eligible
      rural homebuyers benefit when their choice of lending institutions includes
      mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, Federal Home Loan Banks,
      etc. The Agency has Guaranteed training programs available. Lenders should contact
      the Lender and Partner Activities Branch at sfhgld.lenderpartner@usda.gov to
      request individual trainings. 3.8 MONITORING A LENDER’S ORIGINATION AND SERVICING
      OF LOANS [7 CFR 3555.51] Rural Development will conduct oversight reviews of
      the lender’s operations as provided in this section. Form RD 3555-16 outlines
      the responsibilities and terms to maintain approval for the SFHGLP. If Rural
      Development determines that the lender is not fulfilling the obligations of
      Form RD 3555-16, or that the lender fails to meet the required criteria, the
      lender will receive written notice of any deficiencies. If the lender is unwilling
      or unable to correct the deficiencies, Rural Development will proceed with termination
      as provided in Paragraph 3.9. Form RD 3555-16 requires the lender to provide
      records pertaining to the SFHGLP for review by the Agency. The Agency will conduct
      an oversight review on a periodic basis as defined in Paragraph B of this section.
      Oversight reviews assist in Agency risk management and validate that lenders
      are complying with SFHGLP regulations. Oversight reviews include the examination
      of lender policies and procedures, cash management practices, and individual
      borrower case files (loan origination and servicing records, liquidation, and
      claim files). A. Review Circumstances and Factors x New Lender Oversight Review.
      Rural Development may review loans originated by a newly eligible lender to
      ensure understanding of Agency regulations. Thereafter, the lender will be subject
      to a review provided in Paragraph 3.8B. x Other reviews. Rural Development may
      elect to conduct more frequent oversight reviews when major trends or weaknesses,
      such as loan delinquencies, loan losses, failure to submit required data and
      reports, or other influencing factors related to assuring that the Government’s
      interest is adequately protected, have been noted, regardless of the volume
      of loans originated or serviced. HB-1-3555 (03-09-16) SPECIAL PN 3-11 Revised
      (07-21-23) PN 588 Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless
      expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may not
      cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available through their guidance
      portal, except to establish historical facts. B. Conducting Oversight Reviews
      Oversight reviews will be performed on each lender as noted in this section.
      Oversight reviews may be conducted as an on-site review at the lender location
      or as a desk review at a site determined by the Agency. The review should be
      conducted by Agency staff or a designated representative that is knowledgeable
      of the lender functions to be reviewed. Rural Development will determine the
      amount of time that is needed to conduct the review. The review team members
      will utilize the Oversight Review Guide when planning, conducting, and reporting
      reviews. Three standards reviews may be performed: x Loan origination review.
      A loan origination review is applicable to lenders who perform all or a portion
      of the following functions: underwriting, processing, and closing. x Loan servicing
      review. A loan servicing review is applicable to a servicer which is performing
      all or a portion of the following functions: reporting, loss mitigation, loss
      claims, and property disposition. x Expanded review. An expanded review is performed
      for lenders and servicers that are both originating and servicing loans. Oversight
      review findings will be communicated to the lender and/or servicer verbally
      and in writing. The reviewers will work with the lender and/or servicer to correct
      any findings identified. The clearance and follow-up process commences upon
      issuance of the findings report by the Agency or their representative. Upon
      closure of the review, or expiration of any follow-up period, a report will
      be prepared summarizing the review performed. A copy of all oversight review
      reports will be maintained in the Electronic Customer File (ECF) system.'
  judgment: false
