Biden-Harris administration touts social justice gains with local small business ‘community loans’

Posted under: SMB
Date: 2024-02-20
Biden-Harris administration touts social justice gains with local small business ‘community loans’

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has seen an increase in targeted borrowers under a program that allows nonprofits closest to the community to underwrite loans. These Community Advantage loans, created during the Obama-Biden administration, have become a building block of the SBA's loan portfolio. The program has seen lending to underserved businesses increase by 11% nationwide between fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The SBA has previously supported loans underwritten by banks, credit unions, microlenders, or Community Development Financial Institutions, aiming to increase lending to women, minorities, and veterans. The SBA's Eastern Pennsylvania District Office collaborates with lenders to streamline underwriting and collateral requirements, increasing unsecured loans from $25,000 to $50,000. This program has approved $1.2 million in fiscal 2022 and $647,000 in 2023.

Read more at: whyy.org