In Brief: SBA Doubles Budget for Investment Companies

The Small Business Administration's budget for the 1998 fiscal year includes $1.3 billion for small-business investment companies.

That is nearly double the $667 million the privately operated venture capital firms got last year. They raise money to invest in small business from private investors and banks or by selling debt instruments and securities.

The SBA will use the $1.3 billion to guarantee debt instruments issued by the investment companies and to buy their securities. The guarantee allows the federal agency to share in the profits.

Last year the 300 firms invested $2.34 billion in debt and equity financing for small business.

Banks own a quarter of the investment companies but provide two-thirds of the financing.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER