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Recommendations Database

GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed. GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention. We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues. Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.

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As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.

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Subject Term: "Loan guarantees"

6 publications with a total of 20 open recommendations including 2 priority recommendations
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Export-Import Bank: EXIM Should Explore Using Available Data to Identify Applicants with Delinquent Federal Debt
GAO-19-337, May 23, 2019
Director: Seto J. Bagdoyan
Phone: (202) 512-6722

2 open recommendations
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Recommendation: EXIM's chief operating officer should direct EXIM's Credit Review and Compliance Division to assess and document the practicality of incorporating into its preauthorization Character, Reputational, and Transaction Integrity (CRTI) reviews searches of data elements in SAM that indicate delinquent federal debts owed by applicants, and, if practical, implement relevant approaches—such as manual searches or batch matching. (Recommendation 1)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In June 2020, we met with EXIM to discuss its efforts to assess the practicality of incorporating into its preauthorization CRTI reviews searches of data elements in SAM that indicate delinquent federal debts owed by applicants. Prior to the discussion, EXIM provided some information on its efforts. As part of the June 2020 discussion, we requested that EXIM provide additional information on its assessment. EXIM agreed to do so. We will provide an update on the status of this recommendation when we confirm what actions EXIM has taken in response to this recommendation.
Recommendation: EXIM's chief operating officer should direct EXIM's Credit Review and Compliance Division to assess and document the practicality of incorporating into its postauthorization CRTI reviews searches of data elements in SAM that indicate delinquent federal debts owed by applicants and participants, and, if practical, implement relevant approaches—such as manual searches or batch matching. (Recommendation 2)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In June 2020, we met with EXIM to discuss its efforts to assess the practicality of incorporating into its postauthorization CRTI reviews searches of data elements in SAM that indicate delinquent federal debts owed by applicants and participants. Prior to the discussion, EXIM provided some information on its efforts. As part of the June 2020 discussion, we requested that EXIM provide additional information on its assessment. EXIM agreed to do so. We will provide an update on the status of this recommendation when we confirm what actions EXIM has taken in response to this recommendation.
Export-Import Bank: Enhancements Needed in Credit Program Underwriting Policies and Procedures
GAO-19-43, May 14, 2019
Director: James R. Dalkin
Phone: (202) 512-3133

2 open recommendations
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Recommendation: The Chief Operating Officer of EXIM should consider establishing documented policies and procedures for (1) determining medium-term delegated authority lenders' eligibility for continued participation in EXIM's programs and (2) decertifying or taking other appropriate actions for such lenders that do not meet compliance or eligibility standards. (Recommendation 1)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: EXIM concurred with our recommendation and stated that it will consider establishing documented policies and procedures for determining medium-term delegated authority lenders' eligibility for continued participation in EXIM's programs and decertifying or taking other appropriate actions for such lenders that do not meet compliance or eligibility standards. If implemented effectively, EXIM's planned actions should address the intent of our recommendation. An EXIM official indicated that actions to address this recommendation would be completed during 2020.
Recommendation: The Chief Operating Officer of EXIM should establish documented policies and procedures for periodically reviewing credit programs in which the government bears more than 80 percent of any loss to determine whether private sector lenders should bear a greater share of the risk. (Recommendation 2)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: EXIM concurred with this recommendation and stated that it will establish documented policies and procedures for periodically reviewing credit programs in which the government bears more than 80 percent of any loss to determine whether private sector lenders should bear a greater share of the risk. If implemented effectively, EXIM's planned actions should address the intent of our recommendation. An EXIM official indicated that actions to address this recommendation would be completed during 2020.
Export-Import Bank: The Bank Needs to Continue to Improve Fraud Risk Management
GAO-18-492, Jul 19, 2018
Director: Seto J. Bagdoyan
Phone: (202) 512-6722

5 open recommendations
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Recommendation: The acting Bank president and Board chairman should ensure that the Bank evaluates and implements methods to further promote and sustain an antifraud tone that permeates the Bank's organizational culture, as described in GAO's Fraud Risk Framework. This should include consideration of requiring training on fraud risks relevant to Bank programs, for new employees and all employees on an ongoing basis, with the training to include identifying roles and responsibilities in fraud risk management activities across the Bank. (Recommendation 1)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In November 2019, EXIM told us it continues work in this area and will provide us information on this work as it is completed. We will continue to monitor EXIM's progress in this area.
Recommendation: The acting Bank president and Board chairman should ensure that the Bank develops and implements an antifraud strategy with specific control activities, based upon the results of fraud risk assessments and a corresponding fraud risk profile, as provided in GAO's Fraud Risk Framework. (Recommendation 4)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In November 2019, EXIM told us it was in the final stages of its process for completing its antifraud strategy. We will continue to monitor EXIM's efforts in this area.
Recommendation: The acting Bank president and Board chairman should ensure that the Bank identifies, and then implements, the best options for sharing more fraud-related information--including details of fraud case referrals and outcomes--among Bank staff, to help build fraud awareness, as described in GAO's Fraud Risk Framework. (Recommendation 5)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In November 2019, EXIM stated that it is continuing to work with its Inspector General to implement this recommendation. We will continue to monitor EXIM's progress in this area.
Recommendation: The acting Bank president and Board chairman should lead efforts to collaborate with the Bank's OIG to identify a feasible, cost-effective means to systematically track outcomes of fraud referrals from the Bank to the OIG, including creating a means to link the OIG's proven cases of fraud to the specific Bank transactions from which the OIG actions arose. If any such means are found to be feasible and cost-effective, the acting Bank president and Board chairman should direct appropriate staff to implement them, with such information to be used for purposes consistent with GAO's Fraud Risk Framework, such as data analytics. (Recommendation 6)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In November 2019, EXIM stated that it is continuing to work with its Inspector General to implement this recommendation. We will continue to monitor EXIM's progress in this area.
Recommendation: The acting Bank president and Board chairman should ensure that the Bank monitors and evaluates outcomes of fraud risk management activities, using a risk-based approach and outcome-oriented metrics, and that it subsequently adapts antifraud activities or implements new ones, as determined to be appropriate and consistent with GAO's Fraud Risk Framework. (Recommendation 7)

Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States
Status: Open

Comments: In November 2019, EXIM stated that it is continuing work to implement this recommendation. We will continue to monitor EXIM's progress in this area.
Small Business Loans: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Compliance with the Credit Elsewhere Requirement
GAO-18-421, Jun 5, 2018
Director: William B. Shear
Phone: (202) 512-8678

2 open recommendations
including 2 priority recommendations
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Recommendation: The Administrator of SBA should use its on-site and off-site reviews to routinely collect information on lenders' use of credit elsewhere criteria as part of its monitoring of lender practices related to the credit elsewhere requirement. (Recommendation 2)

Agency: Small Business Administration
Status: Open
Priority recommendation

Comments: For the second and third recommendations, related to lender's use of the credit elsewhere criteria as part of its monitoring of lender practices, on June 11, 2019, SBA provided information on 7(a) lender reviews and summary reports. On September 27, 2019, we discussed these recommendations and SBA's responses with an SBA official. Specifically, we discussed the role of statistical sampling in addressing lender practices and SBA's selection of lenders for further review. On November 22, 2019, an SBA official stated that the agency plans to provide additional documentation in six months to further support actions taken. We will continue to monitor SBA's efforts to address this recommendation.
Recommendation: The Administrator of SBA should analyze information on lenders' use of credit elsewhere criteria obtained from its reviews to identify lenders that may be at greater risk of noncompliance and to inform its selection of lenders for further review for credit elsewhere compliance. (Recommendation 3)

Agency: Small Business Administration
Status: Open
Priority recommendation

Comments: For the second and third recommendations, related to lender's use of the credit elsewhere criteria as part of its monitoring of lender practices, on June 11, 2019, SBA provided information on 7(a) lender reviews and summary reports. On September 27, 2019, we discussed these recommendations and SBA's responses with an SBA official. Specifically, we discussed the role of statistical sampling in addressing lender practices and SBA's selection of lenders for further review. On November 22, 2019, an SBA official stated that the agency plans to provide additional documentation in six months to further support actions taken. We will continue to monitor SBA's efforts to address this recommendation.
Rural Broadband Deployment: Improved Consistency with Leading Practices Could Enhance Management of Loan and Grant Programs
GAO-17-301, Apr 13, 2017
Director: Mark Goldstein
Phone: (202) 512-2834

3 open recommendations
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Recommendation: To improve RUS's management of the Infrastructure Program, Broadband Program, and Community Connect by more closely following leading practices for broadband loan- and grant-program management, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct RUS to establish and implement procedures to conduct periodic evaluations of completed grant projects to determine the outcomes associated with these projects, and analyze the information gained to assess if any programmatic changes are needed to improve the Community Connect program.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: As of June 22, 2020, USDA has not provided an update regarding its plans to implement staff procedures for conducting periodic evaluations of completed grant projects to measure the success of meeting the program goals. Once RUS provides an update regarding what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve RUS's management of the Infrastructure Program, Broadband Program, and Community Connect by more closely following leading practices for broadband loan- and grant-program management, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct RUS to establish a timeline for implementing a centralized internal system for staff to obtain relevant and timely program data for use in managing and monitoring loans and grant awards.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: As of June 22, 2020, RUS has not provided an update on how it will more efficiently manage and monitor RUS loan and grant awards. Once RUS provides an update regarding what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: To improve RUS's management of the Infrastructure Program, Broadband Program, and Community Connect by more closely following leading practices for broadband loan- and grant-program management, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct RUS to develop, update, and maintain complete written policies and procedures for RUS's programs as a way to retain and communicate organizational knowledge internally among agency staff. RUS should determine the critical documentation that should be created or updated, including considering documentation such as loan-application review guidance and employee manuals for each of the three programs.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: As of June 22, 2020, RUS has not provided an update on how it plans to identify and prioritize critical manuals and instructions that will need to be developed or updated and formulate work plans to develop or update each of them. Once RUS provides an update regarding what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Rural Housing Service: Actions Needed to Strengthen Management of the Single Family Mortgage Guarantee Program
GAO-16-193, Mar 31, 2016
Director: Mathew Scirè
Phone: (202) 512-8678

6 open recommendations
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Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to enhance screening of loan guarantee applicants, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to complete steps to obtain access to Treasury's Do Not Pay portal and establish policies and procedures to deny loan guarantees to applicants who are subject to administrative offsets for delinquent child support payments.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: In August 2020, Rural Development said that implementing the recommendation would require a rule change and that it anticipated publishing a proposed rule by December 31, 2020.
Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to strengthen oversight of lenders and servicers, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to develop and publish in the Federal Register qualification requirements for the principal officers of lenders and servicers seeking initial or continued approval to participate in the guarantee program.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: In August 2020, Rural Development said it anticipated publishing a proposed rule to implement this recommendation by December 31, 2020.
Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to strengthen oversight of lenders and servicers, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to develop and publish in the Federal Register capital and financial requirements for guarantee program lenders that are not regulated by a federal financial institution regulatory agency.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: In August 2020, Rural Development said it anticipated publishing a proposed rule to implement this recommendation by December 31, 2020.
Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to strengthen risk assessment and reporting, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to improve performance measures comparing RHS and the Federal Housing Administration loan performance, potentially by making comparisons on a cohort basis and limiting comparisons to loans made in similar geographic areas.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: In August 2020, Rural Development said it was working with a contractor to establish more meaningful performance measures and estimated a completion date of December 31, 2020.
Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to strengthen risk assessment and reporting, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to develop risk thresholds for the guarantee program, potentially in the form of maximum portfolio- or loan-level loss tolerances.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: Rural Development hired a contractor to help establish risk thresholds for the guarantee program. The contractor's October 2016 report developed and recommended portfolio-level and loan-level risk thresholds (values that trigger consideration of policy adjustments) and also recommended that program officials conduct stress tests to validate that each recommended risk threshold was appropriate for the program's overall risk appetite. As of August 2020, Rural Development said it was continuing to work with the contractor to stress test the risk thresholds and estimated a completion date of December 31, 2020.
Recommendation: To improve compliance with OMB Circular A-129 standards and strengthen management and oversight of the guarantee program, and to more effectively fulfill the requirements for conducting program reviews described in OMB Circular A-129, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Undersecretary for Rural Development to develop procedures for selecting RD credit programs for review based on risk and establish a prioritized schedule for conducting the reviews.

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Status: Open

Comments: In August 2020, Rural Development said that its Chief Risk Officer was working with the agency on establishing procedures for selecting Rural Development credit programs for review based on risk, including a prioritized schedule. Rural Development estimated a completion date of June 30, 2021.