The EPA Conference Loan Fund is a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to make loans to churches and agencies for building projects. The Board closely monitors rates in the general marketplace. The current interest rate for loans is 5.5%.
In addition to granting loans, the Loan Fund also issues an investment vehicle in the form of a certificate. Each investor receives a Certificate of Participation from the Loan Fund certifying that the named investor has made an investment of a specific amount in the Loan Fund. The minimum investment is $1,000.00. The certificate can be redeemed on sixty days’ notice. The Loan Board may increase or reduce rates with sixty days’ notice. The current certificate rate is 3.5 %.
The Loan board meets quarterly, on the fourth Wednesday of January, April, July and October. The loans have the following favorable terms; interest rate of 5.5%, no closing costs, simple loan documentation, borrow as little as $10,000 or up to $750,000. There is a ten (10) year amortization period for loans greater than $50,000, up to $500,000 and a fifteen (15) year amortization for loans greater than $500,000 up to $750,000. All loans under $50,000 are amortized over a five (5) year period.
Applications must be signed by the Pastor, District Superintendent and an authorized representative of the Board of Trustees. Applications must be received thirty (30) days prior to the board meeting.
Click to Download:
Loan Fund Application | Loan Fund Prospectus
Loan Fund Board of Directors:
- Frances Whittington, President
- Jeff Paiste, Vice President
- NancyJo Fielding, Treasurer
- James Anderman, Secretary
EPA Conference Loan Fund seeks new board members
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Loan Fund seeks qualified and committed lay and clergy volunteers to serve on its Board of Directors for a four-year term. The ideal board member possesses passions for both ministry and financial management.
Board members serve as fiduciaries representing church and lay investors in the Loan Fund and are primarily responsible for reviewing and making lending decisions on mortgage loan applications from UMC churches and affiliated agencies. Other responsibilities include supervisory overview of invested reserves and troubled accounts. The Loan Fund Board meets quarterly.
Loan application review requires board members to review financial documents submitted by loan applicants to assess the applicant’s ability to repay requested loans. A basic understanding of accounting or finance is helpful.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Loan Fund has assets of $13.4 million and has 35 to 45 outstanding loans at any time. Interested candidates should contact Jeff Paiste at paisteja@gmail.com.
Borrower Information
An application will not be accepted from a Church which is currently delinquent on an existing loan until the loan is brought current and remains so for six months.
Once a Loan is approved by the Board, the Borrower will receive a written Loan commitment letter which when accepted by the Borrower holds the Loan open for six months. The Borrower must submit proof of recorded mortgage, properly signed note and resolution authorizing execution of Note and mortgage. (See details below) Thirty days' written notice may be required to receive the Loan proceeds. If the funds are not withdrawn within five months, a second letter will be mailed to the Borrower indicating that a further six month extension will be permitted only upon written request of the Borrower.
The minimum Loan is $10,000.00 and the maximum amount which can be borrowed is $750,000. Loans are for acquisition, repair and construction of real property and not for program. Loans are amortized as follows:
- Under $50,000 up to 5 years; and
- $50,000 to $499,999 up to 10 years; and
- $500,000 and over up to 15 years.
All Loans must be secured by a mortgage or acceptable financial assets. The Pastor and District Superintendent must consent to the mortgage.
Notes have a demand feature and the current interest rate is 5.5%. Interest rates charged to Borrowers may be adjusted up or down 2% by the Loan Fund Board after sixty (60) days' written notice to the Borrower. All payments received are credited first to interest and then to principal.
The Loan Fund has no fees or charges except that the Borrower must pay to record the mortgage.
Contact Us
NancyJo Fielding
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Executive Director, EPA Board of Benefits
484.762.8213
jfielding@epaumc.church
Lawrence A. Lee, MBA
Finance Manager
484.762.8209
llee@epaumc.church
Beth Lishon
Support Associate, Accounting
484.762.8216
blishon@epaumc.church
Debbie Perez
Support Associate, Accounting
1.484.471.7608
dperez@epaumc.church
For accounts payable, accounts receivable, and moving expenses, please email: AccountingSupport@epaumc.church
For remittance questions or concerns, please email: Remittances@epaumc.org