On May 27, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) released the legal forms and agreements for eligible borrowers and eligible lenders to participate in the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The FRBB also published updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which include numerous new questions and answers regarding eligibility, loan terms and conditions, borrower certifications and covenants, regulatory requirements and reporting, and other issues.
On April 30, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve) had issued the terms and conditions for three MSLP facilities: the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), the Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF), and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Copies of all documents can be found on the FRBB’s Main Street Lending Program Forms and Agreements webpage.
In the May 27 release, the term sheets for the three MSLP facilities were not amended from the forms released on April 30, and the definitions of “Eligible Borrower” and “Eligible Lender” remain unchanged. An overview and summary of the previously issued term sheets, including eligible borrower and eligible lender requirements, can be found here. A list of covenants and commitments required to be made by eligible borrowers and lenders — including compliance with the CARES Act’s compensation, stock repurchase, and capital distribution restrictions — is also detailed.
Although the MSLP has not yet been launched, the documents, checklists, and revised guidance issued on May 27 appear to be final, subject to future Federal Reserve interpretation and refinement. Accordingly, eligible borrowers and eligible lenders should review the available guidance and documentation, and address potential issues surrounding the facilities’ terms and conditions with their counsel now. We expect that the Federal Reserve and FRBB will announce the program start date in the coming days.