NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORP /DC/

Previous wording

As a lender, our primary credit risk arises from the extension of credit to borrowers. Our loan portfolio, which represents the largest component of assets on our balance sheet, accounts for the substantial majority of our credit risk exposure. Loans outstanding to electric utility organizations represented approximately 98% of our total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024. We had 885 borrowers with loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024, and our 20 largest borrowers accounted for 20% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024. The largest total exposure to a single borrower or controlled group represented 1% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024. Texas historically has had the largest number of borrowers with loans outstanding and the largest loan concentration in any one state. Loans outstanding to Texas borrowers represented 17% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024.

Current wording

As a lender, our primary credit risk arises from the extension of credit to borrowers. Our loan portfolio, which represents the largest component of assets on our balance sheet, accounts for the substantial majority of our credit risk exposure. Loans outstanding to electric utility organizations represented approximately 98% of our total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025. We had 899 borrowers with loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025, and our 20 largest borrowers accounted for 19% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025. The largest total exposure to a single borrower or controlled group represented 1% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025. Texas historically has had the largest number of borrowers with loans outstanding and the largest loan concentration in any one state. Loans outstanding to Texas borrowers represented 16% of total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025.

Previous wording

Our focus as a member-owned finance cooperative is on lending to our rural member electric utility cooperatives, which is the primary source of our revenue. As a result of lending primarily to our members, we have a loan portfolio with single-industry concentration. Loans to rural electric utility cooperatives accounted for approximately 98% of our total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2024. While we historically have experienced limited defaults and very low credit losses in our electric utility loan portfolio, factors that may have a negative impact on the operations of our member rural electric cooperatives include but are not limited to, the price and availability of distributed energy resources; whether these resources will be sufficient to serve electric demand at its peak; the operational reliability and resilience of their power grids; cyber-related attacks or other breaches of their operating systems and network infrastructure; regulatory or compliance factors related to managing greenhouse gas emissions (including the potential for stranded assets); and extreme weather conditions leading to events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires, including weather conditions related to climate change. The factors listed above, individually or in combination, could result in declining sales or increased power supply and operating costs andcould potentially cause a deterioration in the financial performance of our members and the value of the collateral securing their loans. This could impair their ability to repay us in accordance with the terms of their loans. In such case, it may lead to risk rating downgrades, which may result in an increase in our allowance for credit losses and a decrease in our net income.

Current wording

Our focus as a member-owned finance cooperative is on lending to our rural member electric utility cooperatives, which is the primary source of our revenue. As a result of lending primarily to our members, we have a loan portfolio with single-industry concentration. Loans to rural electric utility cooperatives accounted for approximately 98% of our total loans outstanding as of May 31, 2025. While we historically have experienced limited defaults and very low credit losses in our electric utility loan portfolio, factors that may have a negative impact on the operations of our member rural electric cooperatives include but are not limited to, the price and availability of distributed energy resources; whether these resources will be sufficient to serve electric demand at its peak; the operational reliability and resilience of their power grids; cyber-related attacks or other breaches of their operating systems and network infrastructure; regulatory or compliance factors related to managing greenhouse gas emissions (including the potential for stranded assets); and extreme weather conditions leading to events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires, including weather conditions related to climate change. The factors listed above, individually or in combination, could result in declining sales or increased power supply and operating costs andcould potentially cause a deterioration in the financial performance of our members and the value of the collateral securing their loans. This could impair their ability to repay us in accordance with the terms of their loans. In such cases, it may lead to risk rating downgrades, which may result in an increase in our allowance for credit losses and a decrease in our net income.

Previous wording

The threat of weather-related events or shifts in climate patterns resulting from climate change, including, but not limited to, increases in storm intensity, number of intense storms and temperature extremes in areas in which our member rural electric cooperatives operate, could result in increased power supply and operating costs, adversely impacting our members’ results of operations, liquidity and ability to make payments to us. While we believe our members would largely be reimbursed by Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) relief programs for eligible storm-related damages, such programs may not be implemented in their current forms or payments may not be received on a timely basis. Further, FEMA does not provide relief for events caused by human error and, as a result, the majority of wildfires may not be covered events. For increased power costs, although we believe our members have the ability to pass through increased costs to their members, in some cases it may be difficult to pass through the entire costs on a timely basis if they are significant. To the extent CFC makes bridge loans to members as they wait for FEMA payments, changes to FEMA programs or delays in payments from FEMA could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio and our financial condition. Additionally, our member rural electric cooperatives are subject to evolving local, state and federal laws, regulations and expectations regarding the environment. These requirements and expectations may increase the time and costs of efforts to monitor and comply with such obligations and expose them to liability. The impacts of climate change present notable risks, including damage to the assets of our members, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio and our financial condition.

Current wording

The threat of weather-related events or shifts in climate patterns resulting from climate change, including, but not limited to, increases in storm intensity, number of intense storms and temperature extremes in areas in which our member rural electric cooperatives operate, could result in increased power supply and operating costs, adversely impacting our members’ results of operations, liquidity and ability to make payments to us. While our members have traditionally largely been reimbursed by Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) relief programs for eligible storm-related damages, in January 2025, an executive order established the FEMA Review Council with the intent of implementing significant reforms to FEMA and its reimbursement programs. Ongoing organizational and policy reforms at FEMA, including leadership changes, staffing reductions and evolving federal and state roles, may present a risk to the eligibility and timing of disaster cost reimbursements. As a result, the programs on which our members have relied upon may not be implemented in their current forms or payments may not be received on a timely basis. Further, FEMA does not provide relief for events caused by human error and, as a result, the majority of wildfires may not be covered events. For increased power costs, although we believe our members have the ability to pass through increased costs to their members, in some cases it may be difficult to pass through the entire costs on a timely basis if they are significant. To the extent CFC makes bridge loans to members as they wait for FEMA payments, changes to FEMA programs or delays in payments from FEMA could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio and our financial condition. Additionally, our member rural electric cooperatives are subject to evolving local, state and federal laws, regulations and expectations regarding the environment. These requirements and expectations may increase the time and costs of efforts to monitor and comply with such obligations and expose them to liability. The impacts of climate change present notable risks, including damage to the assets of our members, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio and our financial condition.

Previous wording

We use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. There is a risk that the counterparties to these agreements will not perform as agreed, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The nonperformance of a counterparty on an agreement would result in the derivative no longer being an effective risk-management tool, which could negatively affect our overall interest rate risk position. In addition, if a counterparty fails to perform on a derivative obligation, we could incur a financial loss to replace the derivative with another counterparty and/or a loss through the failure of the counterparty to pay us amounts owed. After taking into consideration master netting agreements for our interest rate swaps, we were in a net receivable position of $611 million and a net payable position of $1 million as of May 31, 2024.

Current wording

We use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. There is a risk that the counterparties to these agreements will not perform as agreed, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The nonperformance of a counterparty on an agreement would result in the derivative no longer being an effective risk-management tool, which could negatively affect our overall interest rate risk position. In addition, if a counterparty fails to perform on a derivative obligation, we could incur a financial loss to replace the derivative with another counterparty and/or a loss through the failure of the counterparty to pay us amounts owed. After taking into consideration master netting agreements for our interest rate swaps, we were in a net receivable position of $506 million and a net payable position of $2 million as of May 31, 2025.

Previous wording

We have certain interest rate swaps that contain credit risk-related contingent features referred to as rating triggers. Under certain rating triggers, if the credit rating for either counterparty falls to the level specified in the agreement, the other counterparty may, but is not obligated to, terminate the agreement. If either counterparty terminates the agreement, a net payment may be due from one counterparty to the other based on the prevailing fair value, excluding credit risk, of the underlying derivative instrument. In the event that we are required to make a payment as a result of a rating trigger, it could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. These rating triggers are based on our senior unsecured credit ratings by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”). Based on our interest rate swap agreements subject to rating triggers, if our senior unsecured ratings fell to or below Baa2 by Moody’s or below BBB by S&P, andthe agreements were consequently terminated as of May 31, 2024, all agreements for which we owe amounts when netted for each counterparty pursuant to a master netting agreement were in a net payable position of approximately $1 million as of that date.

Current wording

We have certain interest rate swaps that contain credit risk-related contingent features referred to as rating triggers. Under certain rating triggers, if the credit rating for either counterparty falls to the level specified in the agreement, the other counterparty may, but is not obligated to, terminate the agreement. If either counterparty terminates the agreement, a net payment may be due from one counterparty to the other based on the prevailing fair value, excluding credit risk, of the underlying derivative instrument. In the event that we are required to make a payment as a result of a rating trigger, it could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. These rating triggers are based on our senior unsecured credit ratings by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”). Based on our interest rate swap agreements subject to rating triggers, if our senior unsecured ratings fell to or below Baa2 by Moody’s or below BBB by S&P, andthe agreements were consequently terminated as of May 31, 2025, all agreements for which we owe amounts when netted for each counterparty pursuant to a master netting agreement were in a net payable position of approximately $2 million as of that date.

Previous wording

We depend on access to the capital markets and other sources of financing, such as repurchase agreements, bank revolving credit agreements, investments from our members, private debt issuances through Farmer Mac and the Guaranteed Underwriter Program, to fund new loan advances, refinance our long- and short-term debt and, if necessary, to fulfill our obligations under our guarantee and repurchase agreements. Prolonged market disruptions, downgrades to our long-term and/or short-term debt ratings, adverse changes in our business or performance, downturns in the electric industry and other events over which we have no control may deny or limit our access to the capital markets and/or subject us to higher costs for such funding. Our access to other sources of funding also could be limited by the same factors, by adverse changes in the business or performance of our members, by the banks committed to our revolving credit agreements or Farmer Mac, or by changes in federal law or the Guaranteed Underwriter Program. Our funding needs are determined primarily by scheduled short- and long-term debt maturities and the amount of our loan advances to our borrowers relative to the scheduled payment amortization of loans previously made by us. If we are unable to timely issue debt in the capital markets or obtain funding from other sources, we may not have the funds to meet all of our obligations as they become due.

Current wording

We depend on access to the capital markets and other sources of financing, such as bank revolving credit agreements, investments from our members, private debt issuances through Farmer Mac and the Guaranteed Underwriter Program, to fund new loan advances, refinance our long- and short-term debt and, if necessary, to fulfill our obligations under our guarantee and repurchase agreements. Prolonged market disruptions, downgrades to our long-term and/or short-term debt ratings, adverse changes in our business or performance, downturns in the electric industry and other events over which we have no control may deny or limit our access to the capital markets and/or subject us to higher costs for such funding. Our access to other sources of funding also could be limited by the same factors, by adverse changes in the business or performance of our members, by the banks committed to our revolving credit agreements or Farmer Mac, or by changes in federal law or the Guaranteed Underwriter Program. Our funding needs are determined primarily by scheduled short- and long-term debt maturities and the amount of our loan advances to our borrowers relative to the scheduled payment amortization of loans previously made by us. If we are unable to timely issue debt in the capital markets or obtain funding from other sources, we may not have the funds to meet all of our obligations as they become due.

Previous wording

Our credit ratings are important to maintaining our liquidity position. We currently contract with three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to receive ratings for our secured and unsecured debt and our commercial paper. In order to access the commercial paper markets at current levels, we believe that we need to maintain our short-term ratings at the current level from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”). Changes in rating agencies’ rating methodology, actions by governmental entities or others, deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolios, increased leverage and other factors could adversely affect the credit ratings on our debt. A reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity, increase our borrowing costs or limit our access to the capital markets and the sources of financing available to us. A significant increase in our cost of borrowings and interest expense could impact our competitive position within the industry.

Current wording

Our credit ratings are important to maintaining our liquidity position. We currently contract with three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to receive ratings for our secured and unsecured debt and our commercial paper. In order to access the commercial paper markets at current levels, we believe that we need to maintain our short-term ratings at the current level from Moody’s and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”). Changes in rating agencies’ rating methodology, actions by governmental entities or others, deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolios, increased leverage and other factors could adversely affect the credit ratings on our debt. A reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect our liquidity, increase our borrowing costs or limit our access to the capital markets and the sources of financing available to us. A significant increase in our cost of borrowings and interest expense could impact our competitive position within the industry.

Previous wording

We use our IT networks and related systems to access, store, transmit, and manage or support a variety of our business processes and information, as well as that of our members. We face risks associated with cybersecurity incidents and other disruptions of our IT networks and related systems. Cybersecurity incidents pose a risk to the security of our members’ strategic business information and the confidentiality and integrity of our data, which include strategic and proprietary information. This risk continues to increase and attack methods continue to evolve in sophistication, velocity and frequency. Cybersecurity incidents may occur from a variety of sources, such as foreign governments, hacktivists or other well-financed entities, and may originate from less regulated and remote areas of the world. Employee errors, malfeasance, technology failures and other irregularities may also contribute to these events. Any such cybersecurity incident can result in a loss of our own business information or information we process on behalf of our members or others, a loss of integrity of such information, a delay or inability to provide service of affected products to our members, material harm to our financial condition or cash flows, damage to our reputation, including a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services, and significant legal and financial exposure, including regulatory scrutiny or enforcement, litigation, and damage to our stakeholder relationships. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. As a result, cyber-related attacks may remain undetected for an extended period and may be costly to remediate.

Current wording

We use our IT networks and related systems to access, store, transmit and manage or support a variety of our business processes and information, as well as that of our members. We face risks associated with cybersecurity incidents and other disruptions of our IT networks and related systems. Cybersecurity incidents pose a risk to the security of our members’ strategic business information and the confidentiality and integrity of our data, which include strategic and proprietary information. This risk continues to increase and cyberattack methods continue to evolve in sophistication, velocity and frequency. The use of new and emerging technologies through artificial intelligence and machine learning may intensify this risk as adversaries may leverage artificial intelligence to craft more sophisticated phishing schemes, automate social engineering attacks or generate malware with increased speed. Cybersecurity incidents may occur from a variety of sources, such as foreign governments, hackers or other well-financed entities, and may originate from less regulated and remote areas of the world. Employee errors, malfeasance, technology failures and other irregularities may also contribute to these events. Any such cybersecurity incident can result in a loss of our own business information or information we process on behalf of our members or others, a loss of integrity of such information, a delay or inability to provide service of affected products to our members, material harm to our financial condition or cash flows, damage to our reputation, including a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services, and significant legal and financial exposure, including regulatory scrutiny or enforcement, litigation and damage to our stakeholder relationships. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. As a result, cyber-related attacks may remain undetected for an extended period and may be costly to remediate.

Previous wording

In accordance with our charter documents and the purpose for which we were formed, we lend only to our members and associates. CFC’s directors are elected or appointed from our membership, with 10 director positions filled by directors of members, 10 director positions filled by general managers or chief executive officers of members, two positions appointed by NRECA and one at-large position that must, among other things, be a director, financial officer, general manager or chief executive of one of our members. CFC currently has loans outstanding to members that are affiliated with CFC directors and may periodically extend new loans to such members. The relationship of CFC’s directors to our members may give rise to conflicts of interests from time to time. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons” for a description of our policies with regard to approval of loans to members affiliated with CFC directors.

Current wording

In accordance with our charter documents and the purpose for which we were formed, we lend only to our members and associates. CFC’s directors are elected or appointed from our membership, with 10 director positions filled by directors of members, 10 director positions filled by general managers or chief executive officers of members, two positions appointed by NRECA until June 2027 and one at-large position that must, among other things, be a director, financial officer, general manager or chief executive of one of our members. Upon the termination of the two positions appointed by NRECA in June 2027, two at-large positions will be filled by an executive staff member of our Class B members and a director of our Class D members. CFC currently has loans outstanding to members that are affiliated with CFC directors and may periodically extend new loans to such members. The relationship of CFC’s directors to our members may give rise to conflicts of interests from time to time. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—

Previous wording

Our operations may be subject to disruption due to the occurrence of natural disasters, acts of terrorism or war, public health emergencies, such as a reemergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other unexpected or disastrous conditions, events or emergencies beyond our control, some of which may be intensified by the effects of a government response to the event, or climate change.

Current wording

Our operations may be subject to disruption due to the occurrence of natural disasters, acts of terrorism or war, public health emergencies, or other unexpected or disastrous conditions, events or emergencies beyond our control, some of which may be intensified by the effects of a government response to the event, or climate change.

Previous wording

Labor shortages and supply chain complications exacerbated by, among other things, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and subsequent sanctions and export controls against Russia, has contributed to rising inflationary pressures. General inflation in the United States has risen to levels not experienced in recent decades. Rising energy prices, interest rates and wages, among other things, may increase our operating costs as well as both the operating and borrowing costs of our members and disrupt our business.

Current wording

Labor shortages and supply chain complications exacerbated by, among other things, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and subsequent sanctions and export controls against Russia and increased geopolitical tensions between the United States and Canada, China and Mexico, has contributed to continuing inflationary pressures. While general inflation in the United States has decreased from peak levels in 2022, it remains at levels not experienced in recent decades. Certain utility assets of our members, such as transformers and solar panels, are highly sensitive to supply chain complications. Rising energy prices, interest rates and wages, and the pending tariffs to be imposed by the United States on imported goods may increase our operating costs, as well as both the operating and borrowing costs of our members, potentially disrupting our business.

Previous wording

CFC has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization for which income is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (other than any net income from an unrelated trade or business). In order to maintain CFC’s tax-exempt status, it must continue to operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by operating on a cooperative basis for the benefit of its members by providing them cost-based financial products and services consistent with sound financial management, and no part of CFC’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual other than the allocation or return of net earnings or capital to its members in accordance with CFC’s bylaws and incorporating statute in effect in 1996.

Current wording

CFC has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization for which income is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (other than any income from an unrelated trade or business). In order to maintain CFC’s tax-exempt status, it must continue to operate exclusively for the promotion of social welfare by operating on a cooperative basis for the benefit of its members by providing them cost-based financial products and services consistent with sound financial management, and no part of CFC’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual other than the allocation or return of net earnings or capital to its members in accordance with CFC’s bylaws and incorporating statute in effect in 1996.