RD position fidelity bonds.
Protecting loan funds. From $100.

A USDA Rural Development borrower — a water, sewer, or community-facility association — must carry fidelity bond coverage on the position(s) that handle loan funds. This is the scheduled-position form; the premium is 0.25% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, with a $100 minimum — enter your figure and your exact price appears at the application.

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Required of a Rural Development borrower — covering the treasurer or office manager who handles funds
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Coverage normally tracks the funds the position can access under 7 CFR §1942.17
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A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score
From $100your exact price at application0.25% rate$100 minimumSoft pullnever affects your score
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

Your loan closing is waiting on this fidelity coverage. Here is the whole process:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply once, online

The position to cover, the bond amount your RD office requires, and an effective date. The only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

Most are approved as soon as you apply. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.

1–2 BUSINESS DAYS

File with Rural Development

The original scheduled bond is mailed for signature, then filed with your Rural Development servicing office by loan closing or start of construction, whichever is first. Wet-ink originals provided as the form requires.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the fidelity bond actually covers

USDA Rural Development finances water, sewer, and community-facility projects for rural associations and districts. As a condition of the loan, the borrower must carry fidelity bond coverage on the positions — typically a treasurer or office manager — that handle loan funds, so the government’s financial interest is protected against dishonesty.

This is the scheduled-position form: the bond covers the named position rather than a named person, so it stays in force as the role turns over. Coverage must be in place by loan closing or start of construction, whichever comes first, and maintained for the life of the loan.

Under 7 CFR §1942.17, it is the borrower’s responsibility — not Rural Development’s — to keep adequate coverage in force, and RD’s required amount normally does not exceed what the borrower proposes if that coverage is adequate. If the surety pays a loss, the surety pursues the dishonest party, not the association as a whole.

7 CFR §1942.17 (Community Facilities)USDA Rural Development conditions Community Facilities and Water & Waste loans on adequate fidelity bond coverage for positions that handle loan funds (7 CFR §1942.17; see also 7 CFR Part 1782 for Water & Waste servicing). Coverage must be in place by loan closing or start of construction, whichever is first, and maintained for the life of the loan; the borrower is responsible for keeping it adequate. Confirm the required amount and position(s) with your RD servicing office.

You need this bond if you are

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A rural water or sewer district with a USDA Rural Development loan
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A community-facility borrower — clinic, fire district, public building — financed by RD
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An association preparing to close an RD loan that conditions funding on fidelity coverage
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Replacing lapsed coverage to keep an existing RD loan in good standing

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including the scheduled position and a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. The original bond is mailed for signature before filing.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Rural Development fidelity bond?The premium is 0.25% of the coverage amount, with a $100 minimum. The amount is set by your RD servicing office and normally tracks the funds the covered position can access. Enter that figure and your exact price appears at the application.
Does this cover a person or a position?A position. This is the scheduled-position form — it covers the named role (for example, treasurer or office manager) rather than a specific individual, so it continues to apply when the person in that seat changes.
When does coverage have to be in place?By loan closing or the start of construction, whichever comes first, and it must be maintained for the life of the loan. Under 7 CFR §1942.17 it is the borrower’s responsibility to keep adequate coverage in force.
Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply, which never affects your score — it’s never a hard inquiry. It informs approval only — price is set by the bond amount, at 0.25% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee ($100 minimum), not by a credit tier.
Why is the original bond mailed?The executed original must be signed by the principal before it is filed with Rural Development. We mail it to the address you provide so the signed original can be filed with your RD office.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
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Clear the fidelity requirement before closing.

From $100, short application, bond issued when you pay. Free until issued.

Your premiumfrom $100
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