(a) Rates.

(1) The interest rate is the Agency's Direct Operating Loan rate, available in each Agency office.

(2) The limited resource Operating Loan interest rate is available to applicants who are unable to develop a feasible plan at regular interest rates.

(3) The interest rate charged will be the lower rate in effect at the time of loan approval or loan closing.

(4) The Agency's Direct ML OL interest rate on an ML to a beginning farmer or veteran farmer is available in each Agency office. ML borrowers in these groups have the option of choosing the ML OL interest rate or the Direct OL interest rate in effect at the time of approval, or if lower, the rate in effect at the time of closing.

(b) Terms.

(1) The Agency schedules repayment of annual OL loans made for family living and farm operating expenses when planned income is projected to be available.

(i) The term of the loan may not exceed 18 months from the date of the note.

(ii) The term of the loan may exceed 18 months in unusual situations such as establishing a new enterprise, developing a farm, purchasing feed while crops are being established, marketing plans, or recovery from a disaster or economic reverse. In no event will the term of the loan exceed 7 years from the date of the note. Crops and livestock produced for sale will not be considered adequate security for such loans.

(2) The Agency schedules the repayment of all other OL loans based on the applicant's ability to repay and the useful life of the security. In no event will the term of the loan exceed 7 years from the date of the note. Repayment schedules may include equal, unequal, or balloon installments if needed to establish a new enterprise, develop a farm, or recover from a disaster or economic reversal. Loans with balloon installments:

(i) Must have adequate security at the time the balloon installment comes due. Crops, livestock other than breeding stock, or livestock products produced are not adequate collateral for such loans;

(ii) Are only authorized when the applicant can project the ability to refinance the remaining debt at the time the balloon payment comes due based on the expected financial condition of the operation, the depreciated value of the collateral, and the principal balance on the loan;

(iii) Are not authorized when loan funds are used for real estate repairs or improvements.

[72 FR 63298, Nov. 8, 2007, as amended at 79 FR 78694, Dec. 31, 2014]