Standby letters of credit.

(a) The banks for cooperatives and agricultural credit banks are authorized to issue on behalf of parties eligible for financing under regulations § 614.4010(d) or § 614.4020 standby letters of credit that represent an obligation to the beneficiary on the part of the issuer: (1) To repay money borrowed by, advanced to, or for the account of the account party, or (2) To make payment on account of any indebtedness undertaken by the account party, or (3) To make payment on account of any default by the account party in the performance of an obligation. (b) As a matter of sound banking practice, banks for cooperatives and agricultural credit banks shall evaluate applications for standby letters of credit on the basis of the loan underwriting standards adopted pursuant to § 614.4150 of the regulations. [46 FR 51879, Oct. 22, 1981, as amended at 55 FR 24887, June 19, 1990; 62 FR 4445, Jan. 30, 1997; 62 FR 51015, Sept. 30, 1997]