Latest News: SBA Opens Second Round of Applications
SBA Seeks Intermediaries for Pilot Program
The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Section 1131) established a three year pilot program to provide direct loans to eligible non-profit intermediaries for the purpose of making small business loans of up to $200,000. SBA is seeking experienced intermediaries to assist small business concerns in areas suffering from a lack of credit due to poor economic conditions or changes in the financial market. SBA’s Intermediary Lending Pilot (ILP) Program aims to help business owners start and grow successful enterprises.
The ILP Program anticipates meeting the needs of small business borrowers that face significant gaps in the credit market. ILP will address current financing gaps such as:
- Limited availability of commercial loans of $200,000 or less
- Borrowers with declining collateral values or lower credit scores due to the economic downturn
- Commercial lenders with less funding available for loans and lower appetites for risk leading to tighter underwriting standards
- Certain populations remaining underserved
Why partner with SBA?
SBA’s Intermediary Lending Pilot Program provides:
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Flexible, low-cost capital:
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Intermediaries receive up to $1 million in SBA debt financing, with up to $500,000 available in the first disbursement.
- SBA’s interest rate to the Intermediary is 1% with a 20 year term
- Payments on loan to SBA are delayed until two years after first disbursement
- SBA will not charge any fees to Intermediary
- Intermediary is not required to provide any collateral for ILP loan
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Loans provided by the Intermediary may be:
- Up to $200,000
- Used for working capital, real estate, and the acquisition of materials, supplies and equipment
- Used by borrowers that unable to obtain credit elsewhere
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Intermediaries receive up to $1 million in SBA debt financing, with up to $500,000 available in the first disbursement.
Who can be an SBA ILP Intermediary?
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Organizational status:
- Private non-profit organizations (501c status) such as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Community Development Corporations, SBA Certified Development Companies (CDCs), or agencies established by Native American tribal governments are eligible.
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Organizations must have at least one year of lending experience:
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Making and servicing loans to startup, newly established or growing small businesses
- SBA Microlenders are not eligible to become ILP Intermediaries; however, their affiliates which have been established for at least one year may be eligible
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Making and servicing loans to startup, newly established or growing small businesses
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SBA will run a competition to select the most qualified applicants to become ILP Intermediaries and receive an ILP Loan.
- SBA will select 20 ILP Intermediaries through a competitive application process in fiscal year 2011 and another 20 ILP Intermediaries through a second competitive application round in fiscal year 2012, for a total of 40 ILP Intermediaries.
- SBA currently has funding to make ILP loans only in 2011 and 2012. If additional funds are appropriated for the ILP program, SBA will select another 20 ILP Intermediaries in fiscal year 2013, for a maximum of 60 intermediaries.
- Due to limited funds and in order to maximize program effectiveness, organizations will need to demonstrate a proven capacity and ability during the application selection process.
How to become an SBA ILP Intermediary
The SBA has only a limited amount of funds available to make loans to ILP Intermediaries. In order to select the most qualified Intermediaries, the SBA will conduct a competitive selection process. If you are interested in becoming an ILP Intermediary you may contact your Lender Relations Specialist at the local SBA District Office for more information. To find your local SBA District Office visit http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-list/2. If you have questions regarding the application process you may email them to ILPP@sba.gov.
