Is there an official definition of "loan closing date" as it relates to flood insurance? Can a bank use the funding date (or the date the deed is recorded) as its closing date? Or, is the closing date more accurately the date the borrower signed the deed?

It is the date that the borrower signs the loan documents.

FWIW, I agree with Randy. For some reason this has been coming up a lot lately. You can't CLOSE the loan (sign) without flood insurance. RofR funding (or other reasons) is not a reason to delay. Plus, what the point of saving a few days anyway?

I also agree.