Compliance with Federal Flood Insurance Requirements

Dear Board of Directors:

All federally insured credit unions are required to comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program1 , as created by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Part 760 of NCUA’s Rules and Regulations implements these laws (Flood Act).

Typically, flooding causes more than $1 billion in damage each year in the United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that despite the likelihood of flood damage in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), less than half of the structures located in SFHAs are insured against such loss. The risk of loss by flooding in those areas is much higher than the risk of fire. Over the life of a 30-year mortgage, a property located in a SFHA has a 26 percent chance of being flooded compared to a 1 percent chance of loss by fire.

Compliance with the Flood Act protects credit unions and credit union members against catastrophic losses.

NCUA reviewed a compilation of recent examination findings and learned that some credit unions are not fully complying with the requirements of Part 760. This letter serves as a reminder of key provisions and provides references to public guidance, which may assist you in strengthening your Flood Act compliance program.

Review of your Flood Act compliance program is a required part of the Risk Focused Examination program. A copy of the AIRES questionnaire used by NCUA examiners is enclosed. NCUA may assess civil money penalties for failure to comply.

SUMMARY OF KEY FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Flood Hazard Determinations (NCUA Regulations, Part 760.3, 760.6)

Subject to a few exceptions, a credit union cannot make, increase, extend, or renew any loan secured by personal property, a building, or mobile home on a permanent foundation, which is located in a special flood hazard area unless the collateral is covered by flood insurance for the term of the loan. Therefore, a flood hazard determination must be performed before the closing of the loan. The credit union or a servicer acting on its behalf must document the determination using the Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This form must be retained for the life of the loan.

Fees and Charges (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.8)

The credit union may charge borrowers a reasonable fee for determining whether the building or mobile home securing a loan is, or will be located, in a SFHA. The portion of the cost for the life-of-loan monitoring must be disclosed as a finance charge in accordance with the Truth-in-Lending Regulations. (12 CFR §226.4(c)(7)).

Notice to Borrowers (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.9)

If the Standard Flood Hazard Determination shows the building or mobile home securing the loan is in a SFHA, the credit union must mail or deliver a written notice to the borrower within a reasonable time (usually considered to be 10 days). The notice must inform the borrower that the property is in a SFHA, the requirement for purchase of flood insurance, whether flood insurance coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program, and whether Federal disaster relief assistance may be available in the event of flooding. A sample notice form is provided as an appendix to Part 760 of NCUA’s Rules and Regulations.

Purchase Requirements (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.3)

If the building, mobile home, or personal property securing the loan is in a SFHA and flood insurance is available, the credit union must require the borrower to purchase insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the principal balance or the maximum limit of coverage for that property under the Flood Act, whichever is less. The insurance must be purchased before the loan is closed.

If the credit union or the borrower has reason to believe that an area has been improperly designated as a SFHA, the borrower may apply to FEMA for a Letter of Map Amendment. Unless the map is revised or a Letter of Map amendment is obtained, insurance must be purchased.

Escrowing Flood Insurance Premiums (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.5)

If the credit union requires an escrow for taxes, insurance premiums, fees or other charges, then it must also escrow for required flood insurance premiums

Notice to FEMA (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.10)

The credit union must notify FEMA of the identity of the loan servicer at the time the loan is made, increased, extended, renewed, sold, or transferred. The notice must be sent to the insurance carrier that issued the insurance policy so the mortgagee endorsement can be updated. This also helps the credit union ensure the policy is maintained in force.

Forced Placement of Flood Insurance (NCUA Regulation, Part 760.7)

If the credit union determines that the borrower allowed the flood insurance coverage to lapse, the credit union must notify the borrower that the borrower must obtain the insurance. If the borrower does not provide evidence of insurance coverage within 45 days, the credit union is required to purchase the insurance on the borrower’s behalf. The credit union may charge the borrower for the cost of the premiums and fees.

The attached questionnaire has been developed for examiners to assess the credit union’s compliance with the flood insurance regulation. It may also be helpful to you in evaluating your compliance program.

If you need additional information, the following resource listing may help you.

Flood Insurance Information Resources

• General Information about the National Flood Insurance Program:
  
  Federal Emergency Management
  Agency Federal Insurance Administration
  500 C Street, S.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20472
  Fax: (202) 646-3362
  Website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/ (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).)
• Lender compliance information: http://www.fema.gov (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).)
• Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Flood Insurance: http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/1997/fil9777.html (opens new window) (You will be leaving NCUA.gov and accessing a non-NCUA website. We encourage you to read the NCUA's exit link policies. (opens new page).)
• Library of publications: http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/library.shtm
• To order Flood Hazard Boundary Maps or Flood Insurance Rate Maps, call or write:
  
  Federal Emergency Management Agency
  Map Service Center
  PO Box 1038
  Jessup, Maryland 20794-1038
  Telephone: 1-800-358-9616
  Fax: 1-800-358-9620
  
  Or order maps online: https://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FemaWelcomeView? storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

If you have questions concerning compliance with the flood insurance regulations, please discuss them with your examiner, your NCUA regional office, or, in the case of state chartered credit unions, your state supervisory authority.