Session 2: Considerations in Program and Product Design | Sessions | Mission & Metrics: Finance Training for Federal Credit Program Professionals

Providing financial aid or support with the aim of promoting economic and social policy entails subsidization, and that general concept is introduced in this session. Some missions require a larger federal footprint while others might benefit from more private involvement. There are five basic platform options for delivering intended subsidies and they are designed to be responsive to the distinction. Delivery platforms should be evaluated and compared in terms of structure, taxpayer risk and cost, magnitude of obligation, difficulty of management, need for partnership, level of control, extent of mission impact and other attributes – including whether the proposed credit product is suitable to the beneficiary. A range of decisions is associated with product design including: amount, rate, term, amortization, credit risk and demography. Finally, this session focuses on the functioning of the combined product and platform over time and considers metric adjustments to ensure the portfolio reflects market conditions. GCFP provides a proprietary calculator that incorporates the product design, delivery platform and program performance assumptions into a single set of forecasts for both the agency and its lending partners or grantees. Objective is to ensure delivery platform and product design minimize taxpayer risk/cost and maximize prospects for mission accomplishment.

Subsidy

Notion of subsidy since the very nature of government provision of credit entails some form of subsidization, regardless of expected costs

High-level discussion of various economic and financial concepts that can be considered in measuring subsidy
Identifying the financial benefits of the subsidization, and showing how and to whom they are distributed through the deal structure

Delivery Platform

Metrics that define the nature, size and location of credit needs
Natural partners for each of the platforms: private lenders and service providers, state and local agencies and organizations
Continuum of options for delivering subsidies: e.g., grants, direct loans, credit guarantees, insurance, credit enhancements, tax credits

Elements of Product Design

Metrics-based decisions to ensure suitability of product to targeted needs and policy objectives
Rudimentary forecasts of annual activity for the agency
Identifying program operating and credit loss expenses for the agency
The complete program forecast: the agency, participating lender or grantee
Adjusting program for changes in market conditions; potential for program evolution or even eventual sunset

Interactive

Identifying a credit gap of national importance and the metrics used to demonstrate program effectiveness in addressing.
Best credit product. Problem: Develop the best product to fit a gap within a given subsidy and administrative budget.