MINISTRY PARTNERS INVESTMENT COMPANY, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Throughout these notes to consolidated financial statements, we refer to Ministry Partners Investment Company, LLC and its subsidiaries as “the Company.” The Company was formed in California in 1991. The Company’s primary operations are financing commercial real property secured loans and providing investment services for the benefit of evangelical churches, ministries, and individuals. The Company funds its operations primarily through the sale of debt securities.

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries are:

Ministry Partners Funding, LLC (“MPF”);

MP Realty Services, Inc., a California corporation (“MP Realty”);

Ministry Partners Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MP Securities”); and

Ministry Partners for Christ, Inc., a not-for-profit Delaware corporation (“MPC”).

The Company formed MPF in 2007 and then deactivated the subsidiary on November 30, 2009. In December 2014, the Company reactivated MPF to enable it to serve as collateral agent for loans held as collateral for its Secured Investment Certificates. The Company formed MP Realty in November 2009, and obtained a license to operate as a corporate real estate broker through the California Department of Real Estate on February 23, 2010. MP Realty has conducted limited operations to date. The Company formed MP Securities on April 26, 2010 to provide investment and financing solutions for individuals, churches, charitable institutions, and faith-based organizations. MP Securities acts as the selling agent for the Company’s public and private placement notes investor notes.

The Company formed MPC on December 28, 2018 to be used exclusively for religious and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. MPC is a not-for-profit corporation formed and organized as a private foundation under Delaware law that will make charitable grants to Christian education, and provide accounting, consulting, and financial expertise to aid evangelical Christian ministries. Although the Company has made an initial cash contribution to launch the private foundation, MPC had not yet begun activities as of December 31, 2019. On August 23, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service granted MPC tax-exempt status as a private foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ministry Partners Investment Company, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Management eliminates all significant inter‑company balances and transactions in consolidation.

Conversion to LLC

Effective as of December 31, 2008, the Company converted its form of organization from a corporation organized under California law to a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of California. With the filing of Articles of Organization-Conversion with the California Secretary of State, the separate existence of Ministry Partners Investment Corporation ceased and the entity continued by operation of law under the name Ministry Partners Investment Company, LLC.

Since the conversion became effective, a group of managers provides oversight of the Company’s affairs. The managers have full, exclusive, and complete discretion, power, and authority to oversee the management of Company affairs. As an LLC, the Company’s managers and members have entered into an Operating Agreement that governs the Company’s management structure and governance procedures.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include time deposits, certificates of deposit, and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company had demand deposits and money market deposit accounts as of December 31, 2019. The Company had no cash positions other than demand deposits as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

The National Credit Union Insurance Fund insures a portion of the Company’s cash held at credit unions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures a portion of cash held by the Company at other financial institutions. The Company keeps cash that may exceed insured limits. Management does not expect to incur losses in these cash accounts.

The Company maintains cash accounts with RBC Dain as part of its clearing agreement, and with the Central Registration Depository for regulatory purposes. The cash in these accounts is considered restricted cash and is classified as such on our balance sheet.

Reclassifications

The Company has made certain reclassifications to the 2018 financial statements to conform to the 2019 presentation. These reclassifications do not affect member’s equity or net income for the year ended December 31, 2018

Use of Estimates

The Company’s creation of consolidated financial statements that conform to United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates govern areas such as the allowance for credit losses and the fair value of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investments in Joint Venture

On a periodic basis, management analyzes the Company’s investment in a joint venture for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the investment to the estimated value of the underlying real property. Management records any impairment charges as a valuation allowance against the value of the asset. The Company’s share of income and expenses of the joint venture will increase or decrease the Company’s investment and will be recorded on the income statement as realized gains or losses on investment.

Loans Receivable

The Company reports loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future at their outstanding unpaid principal balance adjusted for an allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and costs, and loan discounts.

Interest Accrual on Loans Receivable

The Company accrues loan interest income daily. Management defers loan origination fees and costs generated in making a loan. The Company amortizes these fees and costs as an adjustment to the related loan yield using the interest method.

Loan discounts are interest accrued and unpaid which the Company added to loan principal balances when it restructured the loan. The Company does not accrete discounts to income on impaired loans. However, when management determines that a previously impaired loan is no longer impaired, the Company begins accreting loan discounts to interest income over the term of the restructured loan. For loans purchased from third parties, loan discounts also are the differences between the purchase price and the recorded principal balance of the loan. The Company accretes these discounts to interest income over the term of the loan using the interest method.

Management considers a loan impaired if it concludes the collection of principal or interest according to the terms of the loan agreement doubtful. The Company stops the accrual of interest when management determines the loan is impaired.

For loans that the Company places on nonaccrual status, management reverses all uncollected accrued interest against interest income. Management accounts for the interest on these loans on the cash basis or cost-recovery method until the loan qualifies for return to accrual status. It is not until all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured that the Company returns a loan to accrual status.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company sets aside an allowance for loan losses by charging the provision for loan losses account on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. This charge decreases the Company’s earnings. Management charges off the part of loan balances it believes it will not collect against the allowance. The Company credits subsequent recoveries, if any, to the allowance.

Loan Portfolio Segments and Classes

Management separates the loan portfolio into portfolio segments for purposes of evaluating the allowance for loan losses. A portfolio segment is defined as the level at which the Company develops and documents a systematic method for determining its allowance for loan losses. The Company segments the loan portfolio based on loan types and the underlying risk factors present in each loan type. Management periodically reviews and revises such risk factors, as it considers appropriate.

The Company’s loan portfolio consists of one segment – church loans. Management has segregated the loan portfolio into the following portfolio classes:


Loan Class	Class Description
Wholly-Owned First Collateral Position	Wholly-owned loans and the retained portion of loans originated by the Company and sold for which the Company possesses a senior lien on the collateral underlying the loan.
Wholly-Owned Junior Collateral Position	Wholly-owned loans and the retained portion of loans originated by the Company and sold for which the Company possesses a lien on the underlying collateral that is superseded by another lien on the same collateral. This class also contains any loans that are not secured. These loans present higher credit risk than loans for which the Company possesses a senior lien due to the increased risk of loss should the loan default.
Participations First Collateral Position	Participated loans purchased from another financial entity for which the Company possesses a senior lien on the collateral underlying the loan. Loan participations purchased may present higher credit risk than wholly owned loans because disposition and direction of actions regarding the management and collection of the loans must be coordinated and negotiated with the other participants, whose best interests regarding the loan may not align with those of the Company.
Participations Junior Collateral Position	Participated loans purchased from another financial entity for which the Company possesses a lien on the underlying collateral that is superseded by another lien on the same collateral. Loan participations in the junior collateral position loans have higher credit risk than wholly owned loans and participated loans purchased where the Company possesses a senior lien on the collateral. The increased risk is the result of the factors presented above relating to both junior lien positions and participations.

Allowance for Loan Loss Evaluation

Management evaluates the allowance for loan losses on a regular basis. The Company establishes the allowance for loan losses based upon its periodic review of several factors management believes influences the collectability of the loans, including:

the Company’s loss history;

the characteristics and volume of the loan portfolio;

adverse conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay;

the estimated value of any secured collateral; and

the current economic conditions.

This evaluation is subjective, as it requires estimates that are subject to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of general and specific components. The general component covers non-classified loans. Management bases the general reserve on the Company’s loss history adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative factors are significant factors management considers likely to cause estimated credit losses associated with the Company’s existing portfolio to differ from its historical loss experience. Management adjusts these factors on an on-going basis, some of which include:

changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection;

changes in national, regional, and local economic and industry conditions that affect the collectability of the portfolio;

changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified loans;

changes in the value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans; and

the effect of credit concentrations.

Loans that management has classified as impaired receive a specific reserve. For such loans, an allowance is established when the carrying value of that loan is higher than the amount management expects to receive. Management uses multiple approaches to determine the amount the Company expects to receive. These include the discounted cash flow method, using the loan’s underlying collateral value, or using the observable market price of the impaired loan.

Impairment Analysis

All loans in the loan portfolio are subject to impairment analysis. The Company reviews its loan portfolio monthly by examining several data points. These include reviewing delinquency reports, any new information related to the financial condition of its borrowers, and any new appraisal or other collateral valuation. Through this process, the Company identifies potential impaired loans. Management generally deems a loan is impaired when current facts and circumstances indicate that it is probable that a borrower will be unable to make payments according to the loan agreement. If management has not already deemed a loan impaired, it will classify the loan as non-accrual when it becomes 90 days or more past due.

Management considers several factors when determining impairment status. These factors include the loan’s payment status, the value of any secured collateral, and the probability of collecting scheduled payments when due. Management generally does not classify loans that experience minor payment delays or shortfalls as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays or shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower. These circumstances include the length and reasons for the delay, the borrower's payment history, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Management measures impairment on a loan-by-loan basis using one of three methods:

the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate;

the obtainable market price; or

the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A troubled debt restructuring is a loan for which the Company, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to a borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. A restructuring of a loan usually involves an interest rate modification, extension of the maturity date, payment reduction, or reduction of accrued interest owed on the loan on a contingent or absolute basis.

Management considers loans that it renews at below-market terms to be troubled debt restructurings if the below-market terms represent a concession due to the borrower’s troubled financial condition. The Company classifies troubled debt restructurings as impaired loans. For the loans that are not considered to be collateral-dependent, management measures troubled debt restructurings at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's effective rate at start of the loan. The Company reports the change in the present value of cash flows related to the passage of time as interest income. If the loan is considered to be collateral-dependent, impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral.

Loan Charge-offs

Management charges off loans or portions thereof when it determines the loans or portions of the loans are uncollectible. The Company evaluates collectability periodically on all loans classified as “Loans of Lesser Quality.” Key factors management uses in assessing a loan’s collectability are the financial condition of the borrower, the value of any secured collateral, and the terms of any workout agreement between the Company and the borrower. In workout situations, the Company charges off the amount deemed uncollectible due to the terms of the workout, the inability of the borrower to make agreed upon payments, and the value of the collateral securing the loan.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company has established a loan grading system to assist its management in analyzing and monitoring the loan portfolio. The Company classifies loans it considers lesser quality (“classified loans”) as watch, special mention, substandard, doubtful, or loss assets. The loan grading system is as follows:

Pass:

The borrower has sufficient cash to fund debt services. The borrower may be able to obtain similar financing from other lenders with comparable terms. The risk of default is considered low.

Watch:

These loans exhibit potential or developing weaknesses that deserve extra attention from credit management personnel. If the developing weakness is not corrected or mitigated, there may be deterioration in the ability of the borrower to repay the debt in the future. Loans graded Watch must be reported to executive management and the Board of Managers. Potential for loss under adverse circumstances is elevated, but not foreseeable. Watch loans are considered pass loans.

Special mention:

These credit facilities exhibit potential or actual weaknesses that present a higher potential for loss under adverse circumstances, and deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan at some future date.

Substandard:

Loans and other credit extensions bearing this grade are considered to be inadequately protected by the current sound worth and debt service capacity of the borrower or of any pledged collateral. These obligations, even if apparently protected by collateral value, have well-defined weaknesses related to adverse financial, managerial, economic, ministry, or environmental conditions which have clearly jeopardized repayment of principal and interest as originally intended. Furthermore, there is the possibility that some future loss will be sustained if such weaknesses are not corrected.

Doubtful:

This classification consists of loans that display the properties of substandard loans with the added characteristic that the severity of the weaknesses makes collection or liquidation in full highly questionable or improbable based upon currently existing facts, conditions, and values. The probability of some loss is very high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific factors, the amount of loss cannot be exactly determined. Such pending factors could include merger or liquidation, additional capital injection, refinancing plans, or perfection of liens on additional collateral.

Loss:

Loans in this classification are considered uncollectible and cannot be justified as a viable asset. This classification does not mean the loan has absolutely no recovery value, but that it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be obtained in the future.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes two primary types of revenue: interest income and non-interest income.

Interest Income

The Company’s principal source of revenue is interest income from loans, which is not within the scope of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all subsequent amendments to the ASU (collectively, "ASC 606"). Refer to the discussion in “Loans Receivable” above to understand the Company’s recognition of interest income.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income includes revenue from various types of transactions and services provided to customers. Contracts with customers can include multiple services, which are accounted for as separate “performance obligations” if they are determined to be distinct. Our performance obligations to our customers are generally satisfied when we transfer the promised good or service to our customer, either at a point in time or over time. Revenue from a performance obligation transferred at a point in time is recognized at the time that the customer obtains control over the promised good or service. Revenue from our performance obligations satisfied over time are recognized in a manner that depicts our performance in transferring control of the good or service, which is generally measured based on time elapsed, as our customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefit of our services as they are provided.

Payment for the majority of our services is considered to be variable consideration, as the amount of revenues we expect to receive is subject to factors outside of our control, including market conditions. Variable consideration is only included in revenue when amounts are not subject to significant reversal, which is generally when uncertainty around the amount of revenue to be received is resolved.

Wealth advisory fees

Generally, management recognizes wealth advisory fees over time as the Company renders services to its clients. The Company receives these fees either based on a percentage of the market value of the assets under management, or as a fixed fee based on the services the Company provides to the client. The Company’s delivery of these services represents its related performance obligations. The Company typically collects the wealth advisory fees at the beginning of each quarter from the client’s account. Management recognizes these fees ratably over the related billing period as the Company fulfills its performance obligation. In addition, management recognizes any commissions or referral fees paid related to this revenue ratably over the related billing period as the Company fulfills its performance obligation.

Investment brokerage fees

Investment brokerage fees arise from the selling, distribution, and trade execution services. The Company’s execution of these services fulfills its related performance obligations.

The Company also offers sales and distribution services, and earns commissions through the sale of annuity and mutual fund products. The Company acts as an agent in these transactions and recognizes revenue at a point in time when the customer executes a contract with a product carrier. The Company may also receive trailing commissions and 12b-1 fees related to mutual fund and annuity products. Management recognizes this revenue in the period when it is earned, estimating the revenue if necessary based on the balance of the investment and the commission rate on the product.

The Company earns and recognizes trade execution commissions on the trade date, which is when the Company fulfills its performance obligation. Payment for the trade execution is due on the settlement date.

Lending Fees

Lending fees represent charges earned for services we provide as part of the lending process, such as late charges, servicing fees, and documentation fees. The Company recognizes late charges as earned when they are paid. The Company recognizes revenue on other lending fees in the period in which the Company has performed the service.

Other non-interest income

Other non-interest income includes fees earned based on service contracts the Company has entered into with credit unions. The Company recognizes the revenue monthly based on the terms of the contracts, which require monthly payments for services the Company performs.

Gains/losses on sales of foreclosed assets

The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of foreclosed assets when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of foreclosed asset to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligation under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the foreclosed asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.

Foreclosed Assets

Management records assets acquired through foreclosure or other proceedings at fair market value less estimated costs of disposal. Management determines the fair value at the date of foreclosure, which establishes a new cost for the asset. After foreclosure, the Company carries the asset at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs of disposal. Management evaluates these real estate assets regularly to ensure that the recorded amount is supported by the current fair value and, if necessary, ensuring that valuation allowances reduce the carrying amount to fair value less estimated costs of disposal. Revenue and expense from the operation of the Company’s foreclosed assets and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets. When the Company sells the foreclosed property, it recognizes a gain or loss on the sale equal to the difference between the sales proceeds received and the carrying amount of the property.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Management accounts for transfers of financial assets as sales when the Company has surrendered control over the asset. Management deems the Company has surrendered control over transferred assets when:

the assets have been isolated from the Company;

the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred asset; and

the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred asset through an agreement to repurchase it before its maturity.

The Company, from time to time, sells participation interests in mortgage loans it has originated or acquired. In order to recognize the transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, the transferred portion, and any portion that continues to be held by the transferor must represent a participating interest, and the transfer of the participating interest must meet the conditions for surrender of control. To qualify as a participating interest:

each portion of a financial asset must represent a proportionate ownership interest in an entire financial asset;

from the date of transfer, all cash flows received from the entire financial asset must be divided proportionately among the participating interest holders in an amount equal to their respective share of ownership;

the transfer must be made on a non-recourse basis (other than standard representations and warranties made under the loan participation sale agreement);

the transfer may not be subordinate to any other participating interest holder; and

no party has the right to pledge or exchange the entire financial asset.

If the transaction does not meet either the participating interest or surrender of control criteria, management accounts for it as a secured borrowing arrangement.

Under some circumstances, when the Company sells a participation in a wholly-owned loan receivable that it services, it retains loan-servicing rights, and records a servicing asset that is initially measured at fair value. As quoted market prices are generally not available for these assets, the Company estimates fair value based on the present value of future expected cash flows associated with the loan receivable. The Company amortizes servicing assets over the life of the associated receivable using the interest method. Any gain or loss recognized on the sale of a loan receivable depends in part on both the previous carrying amount of the financial asset involved in the sale, allocated between the asset sold and the interest that continues to be held by the Company based on its relative fair value at the date of transfer, and the proceeds received.

Property and Equipment

The Company states its furniture, fixtures, and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Management computes depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives of the Company’s assets range from three to seven years.

Debt Issuance Costs

The Company’s debt consists of borrowings from financial institutions and obligations to investors incurred through the sale of investor notes. Management amortizes these costs into interest expense over the contractual terms of the debt using the straight-line method.

Employee Benefit Plan

Contributions to the qualified employee retirement plan are recorded as compensation cost in the period incurred.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. Therefore, the Company passes through its income and expenses to its members for tax reporting purposes.

Tesoro Hills, LLC, is a joint venture in which the Company has an investment. Tesoro Hills, according to its operating agreement, has elected to be treated as a partnership for income tax purposes.

The Company and MP Securities are subject to a California LLC fee.

The Company uses a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a tax return. The Company recognizes benefits from tax positions in the consolidated financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Management derecognizes previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met.

New accounting guidance

Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” and subsequent amendments thereto, which requires the Company to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the standard under a modified retrospective approach as of the date of adoption and elected to apply several of the available practice expedients, including:

Carry over of historical lease determination and lease classification conclusions

Carry over of historical initial direct cost balances for existing leases

Accounting for lease and non-lease components in contracts in which the Company is a lessee as a single lease component

Adoption of leasing standard resulted in the recognition of operating right-of-use assets of $680 thousand, and operating lease liabilities of $680 thousand as of January 1, 2019. These amounts were determined based on the present value of remaining minimum lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as of the date of adoption. There was no material impact to the timing of expense or income recognition in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statements. Prior periods were not restated and continue to be presented under legacy GAAP. Disclosures about the Company’s leasing activities are presented in Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance requires companies to apply the requirements in the year of adoption through cumulative adjustment with some aspects of the update requiring a prospective transition approach. The Company’s preliminary evaluation indicates the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 are expected to affect the level of the allowance for loan losses on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management has gathered all necessary data and reviewed potential methods to calculate the expected credit losses. The Company will use a third-party software solution to assist with the adoption of the standard. Management is currently calculating sample expected loss computations and developing the allowance methodology and assumptions that the Company will use under the new standard.

In October 2019, the FASB adopted a two-bucket approach to stagger the effective date for the credit losses standard for the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022 for certain entities, including certain Securities and Exchange Commission filers, public business entities, and private companies. As a smaller reporting company, the Company is eligible for the delay. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the delay on its implementation project plan.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The ASU removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. For example, the ASU will no longer require public entities to disclose the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. However, they will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. In addition, entities may early adopt the modified or eliminated disclosure requirements and delay adoption of the additional disclosure requirements until the effective date. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, as the update only revises disclosure requirements.