Small business

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

The majority of small businesses faced a financial challenge last year and that was before the pandemic curtailed consumer demand and forced nonessential companies to close.

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.

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

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

Yes, the Small Business Administration's emergency funding program for the coronavirus crisis is off to a rocky start, but that shouldn't stop banks from helping customers in need.

Many bankers find crucial parts of the SBA effort to help businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak to be unclear and onerous. If those issues go unresolved, participation could suffer.

Lenders can offer deferred payments and capitalize on digital banking to help small businesses and consumers get back on their feet.

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