Except as provided in section 4712 of this title, the Fund shall, in its sole discretion, select community development financial institution applicants meeting the requirements of section 4704 of this title for assistance based on-
In selecting applicants for assistance, the Fund shall seek to fund a geographically diverse group of applicants, which shall include applicants from metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, and rural areas.
12 U.S.C. § 4706