SBA

The Small Business Administration has told lawmakers it can reinvigorate its streamlined guarantee program by nearly tripling the maximum loan size. So far, Congress has been mum on the idea.

The more things change in small-business lending, the more they stay the same, going back as far as 3,000 years. But in this book excerpt, Karen Mills, former head of the Small Business Administration, predicts momentous changes ahead.

Despite a strong economy, volume in the agency's flagship loan program has declined for two straight years. Here's why.

The agency’s Small Business Investment Company program is slumping, and Congress is pressuring its top executive, Joseph Shepard, to get it back on track or step aside.

Caught in the middle of a credit-subsidy debate, the program would have shut down on Tuesday without congressional action.

The popular program could go idle next month for the second time in less than a year if lawmakers are unable to approve a $99 million credit subsidy.

The accounting standard is coming regardless of a delay. It will bring some nonbank lenders to the forefront of banking competition.

Lawmakers and others faulted the agency's foot-dragging on approving licenses and funding requests for small-business investment companies, whose owners include banks.

A fight between Democrats and Republicans over a proposal to let the SBA’s Office of Advocacy challenge rulings made by other government agencies is threatening to hold up funding for small-business loan guarantees.

The former head of the Small Business Administration and current Harvard professor says data sharing can be transformational for banks.

As budget questions loom over the most popular Small Business Administration loans, lenders have embraced the previously overshadowed 504 program after a key policy tweak.

As budget questions loom over the most popular Small Business Administration loans, lenders have embraced the previously overshadowed 504 program after a key policy tweak.

The Columbus, Ohio, bank has hired a former executive from Bank of America to run the new business, which will target physician, dentist and veterinary practices.

First Internet is poised to acquire an SBA lending team to help it meet an ambitious loan target for the year — a target the CEO plans on doubling in coming years.

While Noah Bank’s CEO has been accused of self-dealing in connection with SBA loans, its chairman says the directors had a succession plan ready to go and are rallying to rescue the bank’s reputation.

First Internet will gain lenders and servicing staff, along with offices in Chicago and Indianapolis, from the deal.

The forces reshaping small-business lending are also leading to “a moment of reckoning” for small banks, says former SBA head Karen Mills.

The deals lets a North Carolina group skip the de novo process. West Town, which sold the bank, will use the funds to support a fast-growing business line.

Lawmakers from both parties oppose a Small Business Administration proposal to raise guarantee fees. The clash could lead to a halt in operations this fall.

The National Credit Union Administration and the Small Business Administration have established a program to boost SBA lending by credit unions, which was very light last year. It is sure to irk bankers, who have raised competitive concerns.