Small business lending

Small lenders embrace automation for latest PPP round

01/13/21

First Bank in New Jersey, Northeast Bank in Maine and others have warmed to the idea of using software to streamline Paycheck Protection Program lending so that employees can be more hands-on with customers.

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PPP forgiveness volume tops $100 billion: SBA

01/13/21

The pace of forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program loans is expected to accelerate when the Small Business Administration issues guidance on additional steps meant to streamline the process.

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SBA expanding PPP to small banks on Friday

01/13/21

The Small Business Administration will allow lenders with less than $1 billion of assets to process applications in two days. The portal will open to all lenders on Tuesday.

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Will PPP's uneven soft launch delay full rollout?

01/12/21

Several community banks said they didn't have enough time to review the Paycheck Protection Program's application forms, forcing them to sit out Monday's reopening. The SBA is not saying when more lenders will be allowed to access its portal.

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Uncertainty looms over PPP's relaunch

01/08/21

Bankers have several unanswered questions about the Paycheck Protection Program before it reopens to select lenders on Monday. Among them: When will forms be available, and which portal will the Small Business Administration use?

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More incentives for smaller lenders in next PPP round

01/07/21

Community banks will have access to allocated funds and at least two days of exclusive portal access when the Small Business Administration relaunches the Paycheck Protection Program.

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IRS blesses tax breaks on forgiven PPP loans after law change

01/06/21

The Internal Revenue Service will allow businesses that got their Paycheck Protection Program loans forgiven to write off expenses paid for with that money, shifting policy after Congress passed new legislation last month.

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D.C. banker poised to lead nation's biggest Black-run bank after merger

01/04/21

Brian Argrett, whose City First Bank is being sold to Los Angeles-based Broadway Financial, would take the helm of the combined company at a time of increased national interest in reinvigorating minority-owned financial institutions.

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Tall order for startup's leader: Keeping PPP borrowers in fold

12/30/20

Triad Business Bank opened in North Carolina shortly before the launch of the Paycheck Protection Program, which brought in many clients. CEO Ramsey Hamadi, one of our community bankers to watch in 2021, will have to work hard to retain them after their loans are forgiven.

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Stimulus law may put disputes over PPP agent fees to rest for banks

12/29/20

The new legislation includes a provision sparing lenders from having to pay such fees on Paycheck Protection Program loans, except in cases where they agree in advance with borrower representatives to do so.

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