COEUR d'ALENE - When Joe Cool shows up, you know you have it made in the shade.

On Wednesday, Joseph Cool, North Idaho area specialist for USDA Rural Development, turned up at Mountain West Bank to present the award as the top lender for National Home Ownership month in June. Mountain West Bank has ranked as the top lender for USDA Guaranteed Loans for the past three years.

"So far this year they are the biggest lender of USDA guaranteed loans," Cool said.

Through June, Mountain West made 103 loans totaling $16.4 million in the rural cities of North Idaho, including the Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake areas.

"The USDA recognizes Mountain West employees today for their commitment to an unflagging enthusiasm for Rural Development's public service mission," said Wally Hendrick, USDA Rural Development state director, making the presentation at the Ironwood Drive headquarters of the bank. "The USDA is proud that we have people of this caliber in your organization. Your efforts have helped Rural Development become USDA's leading federal credit program and have helped many rural North Idahoans achieve the dream of home ownership."

A USDA guaranteed home loan is a government insured home loan designed to meet the needs of those living in small communities and rural areas and outlying metropolitan areas. The loans are offered only by authorized direct lenders that meet federal guidelines. The program is administered by USDA Rural Development.

Sometimes good credit and a steady income are not enough to qualify for a home loan at a commercial lending institution. Many families and individuals may be eligible to become homeowners with the help of a USDA guaranteed home loan. When the federal government agrees to guarantee a loan, lending institutions can help buyers while incurring less risk. Through USDA's Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program, low and moderate income families can qualify for mortgages even without a down payment.

North Idaho tops the state in total loans, Cool said.

"June was way bigger than last year's numbers," he said. "We appreciate your business. It has been a good relationship."

The success of the bank in making the loans is good for North Idaho, Hendrick said.

"Mountain West Bank did an excellent job for us," he said. "We hope it continues."

The USDA Guaranteed Home Loan has less stringent guidelines than a conventional mortgage and allows some flexibility that typical loan programs do not.

Loans may be for up to 100 percent (102 percent if the guarantee fee is included in the loan) of appraised value or for the acquisition cost, whichever is less. There is no down payment required, and rates are 30-year fixed market rates.

"Sharon does a good job for us," said Katie Marcus, residential loan sales manager for Mountain West, referring to Sharon Greer, mortgage loan originator.

The recognition for their success means a lot to them, Marcus said.

"We do help a lot of people," Greer said. "They are part of our community."

Because the limit on the population of a city to qualify for the rural loans is 20,000, it is anticipated that Post Falls will lose its eligibility once final 2010 Census numbers are tallied.

"They are their own worst enemy in terms of success," said Jeff Beeman, area director for USDA. "If they are not a rural area, they are not our responsibility."