SBA

The Small Business Administration’s loan processing platform went down Monday for as long as four hours, temporarily halting the ability of lenders to process loans for small business owners seeking relief from the impact of the coronavirus.

Soaring demand for loans from firms hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic has led to predictions that the program could soon run out of funds.

The government should encourage community lenders to offer six-month loan repayment forbearances to struggling businesses before it’s too late.

Lenders and government guarantors can use loan technology to bring immediate relief to business owners, former OCC official Jo Ann Barefoot says.

Lenders must balance the financial risk of extending credit without explicit backing from the Small Business Administration against the reputational risk of delaying aid for needy borrowers.

The central bank is creating a facility to provide financing to banks participating in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

Congress and financial regulators have implemented a number of measures to help the industry survive the financial impact of the pandemic, and a fourth phase of stimulus could be coming.

Wells Fargo said it can't fully meet demand from small businesses rushing to participate in a U.S. relief program because of constraints imposed by the Federal Reserve on the bank's growth.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that $349 billion will likely not be enough meet loan demand from small businesses seeking a lifeline to help them weather the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.

While the federal government is touting the early success of the Paycheck Protection Program, community banks are complaining about headaches and glitches.