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United States Department of Agriculture

PN 659: Changes to Forms RD 3555-11 and 3555-16

July 28, 2026

Summary

The USDA is revising two forms: RD 3555-11 (Lender Record Change) and RD 3555-16 (Participation Agreement). The changes remove obsolete fields like new servicing lender information (now reported electronically), clarify servicer change reporting, update underwriting requirements by removing three bullet points, and adjust servicing language around escrow and vacant properties. These form and FMI revisions take effect with the new form dates, and lenders must use the updated versions from the USDA eForms site.

AI-generated summary · Aug 29, 2026. Verify with your compliance counsel before acting.

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PROCEDURE NOTICE

FORM REPLACEMENT

RD 3555-11 LENDER RECORD CHANGE dated 07-26. Prescribed in RD Handbooks HB-1-3555 and HB-1-3565.

This Form was originally developed prior to the implementation of the Electronic Status Reporting System (ESR) when it served as the sole method for lenders to report servicer transfers. Updates included:

  • Removed Block B: Eliminated "New servicing lender information" to align with current electronic reporting capabilities.
  • Modernized Workflows: Clarified and updated the process for reporting a servicer change.

The revised Form and Form Manual Insert (FMI) are located on the USDA eForms website - eForms Home (usda.gov).

REMOVE INSERT
FMI dated 04-19-05. FMI revised 07-28-26.

RD 3555-16 AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING GUARANTEED/INSURED LOAN PROGRAMS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT dated 07-26. Prescribed in RD Handbooks HB-1-3555. The Form and FMI are revised as follows:

Section B. General Requirements for the Lender

  • Paragraph 8 - Deleted the word ‘annual’ in the last sentence.
  • Paragraph 9 - Deleted the word ‘electronically’ from the first sentence of the second bullet.

Section C. Underwriting Requirements

  • Removed the final three bullet points from paragraph 4.

Section D. Servicing Requirements

  • Paragraph 1 - Reinsert and update missing text “The Lender , or its authorized agent, must take prudent steps to collect and apply loan payments, protect and preserve “the loan collateral in accordance with the Agency regulations when insured or guaranteed properties are vacant or abandoned; and liquidate.”

RD 3555-16 (Con)

  • Paragraph 2 - Last sentence re-worded to read “Payment from the borrower shall be processed upon receipt under Agency regulations or guidelines and include sufficient escrow premiums for hazard insurance and real estate taxes.”
  • Paragraph 8 - Removed “within 24 months of loan closing” and inserted “within five years of loan closing.”

Section G. Disclosure and Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters.

  • Paragraph 3 - Update the word “enters” to “enter.”

The Form and FMI can be located on the eForms website eForms Home (usda.gov).

REMOVE INSERT
FMI dated 01-27-22. FMI revised 07-28-26.

Source: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/pn659.pdf

Common questions

What does "PN 659: Changes to Forms RD 3555-11 and 3555-16" cover?
The USDA is revising two forms: RD 3555-11 (Lender Record Change) and RD 3555-16 (Participation Agreement). The changes remove obsolete fields like new…
Which agency issued this update?
This update was issued by United States Department of Agriculture.
When was it published?
It was published on July 28, 2026.

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PN 659: Changes to Forms RD 3555-11 and 3555-16 — Reglith