SBA Official Sees Risk in Plan For 2000-Related Guarantees

Legislation that would expand government loan guarantees for small companies with year-2000 problems poses risks, a Small Business Administration official testified Friday.

Moreover, the bill could strain the SBA's primary loan guarantee program, Jeanne M. Sclater, the SBA's deputy for capital access, told the House Small Business Committee.

The agency's 7(a) program is frequently strapped for funds. For fiscal year 2000, the administration has requested $10.5 billion in guarantee authority under the 7a program, up 5% from this year.

Legislation designed to aid small businesses grappling with year-2000 costs was passed March 2 by the Senate on a 99-0 vote.

Though praising the concept, Ms. Sclater told lawmakers the 7(a) program already lets the agency guarantee up to $750,000 of a loan for "any business purpose," including technical fixes to prevent or repair a year- 2000 computer failure.

The Small Business Year 2000 Readiness Act would also lower the agency's underwriting standards, Ms. Sclater said. By allowing balloon payments, for example, the bill would let borrowers qualify for loans they ultimately may not be able to repay.

She said the bill is also problematic because it would provide a higher guarantee percentage for loans linked to year-2000 problems, a move that would "decrease the commercial lenders' risk of loss" and potentially lead to "a somewhat higher rate of default."

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