Nearly a month after abruptly withdrawing a final rule for its single-family guaranteed loan program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service has republished a final rule on lender indemnification, refinancing and qualified mortgage requirements. The changes to the Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program intend to broaden borrower access to USDA-backed loans and improve the agency’s risk management. Published in the May 3 Federal Register, the final rule expands RHS’ lender indemnification authority for loss claims in cases of fraud or misrepresentation or noncompliance with USDA loan origination. This action continues the agency’s efforts to broaden and improve its ability to manage risk related to its guaranteed home mortgage lending. In addition, the USDA is amending its refinancing provisions to require that the new interest rate not exceed the ...