Paycheck Protection Program

Lawmakers are considering a plan to reserve at least $50 billion in Paycheck Protection Program funds for customers of community banks and small regionals.

From stimulus checks to the Paycheck Protection Program, the government’s infusion of cash into an economy reeling from the coronavirus pandemic has primarily helped those who already strong banking relationships.

Congress won’t be back to Washington for at least two weeks but credit unions already have a laundry list of requests for lawmakers to consider.

The two sides say a deal to replenish the small-business loan program may be reached for a Senate vote early this week; big restaurant chains said to edge out small firms for loans.

The Senate Banking Committee chair will work with the heads of other panels in overseeing the $2 trillion stimulus package that Congress passed last month.

Wells Fargo tells business clients to consider other banks for emergency loans; JPMorgan Chase is temporarily reducing its exposure to the mortgage market; how TD Bank got a head start on pandemic preparations; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Stress and exhaustion are catching up to lenders and call center employees helping customers grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

Community development financial institutions, including credit unions, have a unique role to play as the nation weathers the economic fallout from COVID-19, but they can't do it alone.

State and federal trade associations are calling on lawmakers to move past an impasse after the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money in just two weeks.

The Small Business Administration stopped approving loans when the Paycheck Protection Program hit its cap.

The Small Business Administration stopped approving loans when the Paycheck Protection Program hit its cap.

Online lenders, core providers and software companies have created digital platforms that speed up and simplify Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

Though hopeful for a second-half bounceback in the economy, JPMorgan Chase is prepared for 20% unemployment, lackluster GDP and losses in its loan portfolio that could reach tens of billions of dollars.

By helping borrowers now, banks hope customers can quickly catch up on payments once the coronavirus pandemic ends. If they can’t, interest income will remain low and charge-offs could pile up if the crisis drags on.

PayPal, Intuit QuickBooks Capital and Square Capital have been named direct lenders in the Paycheck Protection Program, and more await the go-ahead. They could be crucial to reaching the smallest firms trying to survive the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

After opening-day fiasco, SBA upgrades lender portal with Amazon assist; West Virginia’s First State Bank closed by regulators; BofA offers emergency loans to borrowers first, freezing out depositors; and more from this week’s most-read stories.

Bank of America, which came under fire for prioritizing applications from existing small-business customers, asked a federal judge in Baltimore to reject a request in a lawsuit to temporarily bar it from employing the practice.

The week-old Paycheck Protection Program will be opened up to sole proprietors and independent contractors on Friday.

Midsize businesses and state and local governments are among the beneficiaries of the central bank's latest $2 trillion effort to mitigate the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Many banks were hitting their limits for lending to small businesses devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. They say the Fed's decisions to help fund additional loans and relax capital requirements will resolve many of their problems.