source:
  type: regulation
  id: usda-hb-3555-ch15
  authority: USDA HB-1-3555 ch15 bootstrap
  description: Bootstrap for USDA HB-1-3555 ch15 register.
obligations:
- id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-underwrite-approve-before-submission
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-underwrite-approve-before-submission
  section: "USDA HB-1-3555 Ch. 15.1 — Introduction [7 CFR 3555.107]"
  description: 'The loan must be underwritten and approved by [LENDER] prior to

    submission to the Agency. The Agency requires that [LENDERS]

    use the Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS), the Agency''s

    automated underwriting system, for all supported loan products.

    '
  type: do
  audit_question: For every USDA SFHGLP application package submitted to the Agency, can [LENDER] evidence that the loan was underwritten and approved by [LENDER] PRIOR to submission, and that GUS was used for any GUS-supported loan product?
  workflow_phase: pre_closing
  owner_role: loan_officer
  secondary_owner_role: underwriter
  cadence: per_loan
  consequence: ''
  tags:
  - round-b
  - regulator-direct
  - usda
  - hb-1-3555
  - ch15
  - submission
  - gus
  - promoted
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: "USDA HB-1-3555 Chapter 15.1 — Introduction"
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/3555-1chapter15.pdf
    snapshot_id: 171f9559788c5188
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:50:00Z'
    content_hash: sha256:8dc803b939438b6e946170a357ece91e00baf4d024b5307ee3f96be3147636cb
    paragraph_quote: be underwritten and approved by the lender prior to submission to the Agency. The
    drafter_attestation: Copied verbatim from USDA HB-1-3555 snapshot 171f9559788c5188 (Ch 15) at 2026-05-23. Source PDF retrieved via Wayback Machine.
  promoted_at: '2026-05-23T23:58:54+00:00'
  promoted_from: usda-hb-3555-ch15-roundb-v1.yaml
  program_review: Does the workflow ensure the loan is underwritten and approved by [LENDER] BEFORE submission to the Agency, with GUS used for any GUS-supported product?
  file_review: Spot-check submission packages; confirm lender underwriting/approval preceded Agency submission and GUS was used where supported.
  judgment: false
- id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-originating-lender-accuracy-responsibility
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-originating-lender-accuracy-responsibility
  section: "USDA HB-1-3555 Ch. 15.2 — Lender Responsibility"
  description: 'The originating [LENDER] is responsible for the accuracy of

    all information used to obtain a Rural Development guarantee

    in accordance with 7 CFR 3555 and this Handbook. The

    permanent loan file must contain verified documentation that

    supports household eligibility for SFHGLP and the lender''s

    approval of the loan request.

    '
  type: do
  audit_question: For every USDA SFHGLP-guaranteed loan, can [LENDER] (as the originating lender) evidence (i) the accuracy of all information submitted to obtain the Rural Development guarantee, and (ii) that the permanent loan file contains verified documentation supporting household eligibility and the lender's loan approval?
  workflow_phase: pre_closing
  owner_role: loan_officer
  secondary_owner_role: compliance_officer
  cadence: per_loan
  consequence: ''
  tags:
  - round-b
  - regulator-direct
  - usda
  - hb-1-3555
  - ch15
  - accuracy
  - loan-file
  - promoted
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: "USDA HB-1-3555 Chapter 15.2 — Lender Responsibility"
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/3555-1chapter15.pdf
    snapshot_id: 171f9559788c5188
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:50:00Z'
    content_hash: sha256:8dc803b939438b6e946170a357ece91e00baf4d024b5307ee3f96be3147636cb
    paragraph_quote: The originating lender is responsible for the accuracy of all information used to
    drafter_attestation: Copied verbatim from USDA HB-1-3555 snapshot 171f9559788c5188 (Ch 15) at 2026-05-23. Source PDF retrieved via Wayback Machine.
  promoted_at: '2026-05-23T23:58:54+00:00'
  promoted_from: usda-hb-3555-ch15-roundb-v1.yaml
  program_review: Does the program ensure the accuracy of all information submitted to obtain the RD guarantee, and that the permanent loan file holds verified documentation supporting household eligibility and the loan approval?
  file_review: Pull a sample; confirm the permanent file holds verified eligibility/approval documentation. The officer judges whether the documentation accurately supports the information submitted to RD.
  judgment: true
- id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-no-close-before-conditional-commitment
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-ch15-no-close-before-conditional-commitment
  section: "USDA HB-1-3555 Ch. 15.2 — Lender Responsibility (no closing before CC)"
  description: '[LENDERS] are not authorized to close loans prior to the

    issuance of the Conditional Commitment. Closing a loan prior

    to obtaining a Conditional Commitment from the Agency will

    render that loan submission ineligible for a Loan Note

    Guarantee and may affect [LENDER]''s approval status to

    participate in the program.

    '
  type: dont
  audit_question: For every USDA SFHGLP-guaranteed loan, can [LENDER] evidence that the loan did NOT close prior to the Agency's issuance of the Conditional Commitment (Form RD 3555-18 / 18E)?
  workflow_phase: pre_closing
  owner_role: loan_officer
  secondary_owner_role: closer
  cadence: per_loan
  consequence: Loan ineligible for Loan Note Guarantee; lender approval status may be affected.
  tags:
  - round-b
  - regulator-direct
  - usda
  - hb-1-3555
  - ch15
  - conditional-commitment
  - no-close-before-cc
  - promoted
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: "USDA HB-1-3555 Chapter 15.2 — Lender Responsibility"
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/3555-1chapter15.pdf
    snapshot_id: 171f9559788c5188
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:50:00Z'
    content_hash: sha256:8dc803b939438b6e946170a357ece91e00baf4d024b5307ee3f96be3147636cb
    paragraph_quote: Lenders are not authorized to close loans prior to the issuance of the Conditional
    drafter_attestation: Copied verbatim from USDA HB-1-3555 snapshot 171f9559788c5188 (Ch 15) at 2026-05-23. Source PDF retrieved via Wayback Machine.
  promoted_at: '2026-05-23T23:58:54+00:00'
  promoted_from: usda-hb-3555-ch15-roundb-v1.yaml
  program_review: Does the program block any SFHGLP loan from closing before the Agency issues the Conditional Commitment (Form RD 3555-18 / 18E), since premature closing voids LNG eligibility?
  file_review: Pull a sample; confirm closing date follows the Conditional Commitment issuance date.
  judgment: false
_promotion_history:
- promoted_at: '2026-05-23T23:58:54+00:00'
  candidate_path: obligations\_remediation\_round_b_drafts\usda-hb-3555-ch15-roundb-v1.yaml
  candidates_promoted: 3
  candidates_skipped_existing: 0
