(a) Act means the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended. 12 U.S.C. 2001, et seq.

(b) FCA means the Farm Credit Administration.

(c) Board means the Farm Credit Administration Board.

(d) The terms institution in the System, System institution and institution mean all institutions enumerated in section 1.2 of the Act, any institution chartered pursuant to or established by the Act, except for the Farm Credit System Assistance Board and the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation, and any service corporation chartered under the Act.

(e) Party means the FCA or a person or institution named as a party in any notice that commences a proceeding, or any person or institution who is admitted as a party or who has filed a written request and is entitled as of right to be a party.

(f) Presiding officer means an administrative law judge or any FCA employee or other person designated by the Board to conduct a hearing.

(g) Ex parte communication means an oral or written communication not on the record with respect to which reasonable prior notice to all parties is not given. It does not include requests for status reports.