SBA Prime Source of COVID 19 Survival Financing During Second Wave

David J. Robinson
The Montrose Group, LLC

A second wave of COVID 19 may force millions of American businesses to seek local, state, and federal government subsidized short term financing to survive an economy pushed into recession by a series of state public health decisions.  The passage of the federal Stimulus legislation has substantial changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration which should make this organization a prime stop for companies, sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed, tribal business, 501 (c)(3), or a 501 (c)(19) veterans organization with less than 500 employees (full time, part time or other status) seeking financing.

SBA Federal Stimulus Loan Program Summaries

Gaining small business financing tied to COVID 19 involves first understanding what new regulatory and funding changes the federal Stimulus legislation provided. Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan a forgivable advance of up to $10,000.  Recipients do not have to be approved for a loan to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility.  The federal stimulus program also created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPPs are temporary changes to the SBA 7(a) loan program by creating a new subset of 7(a) loans called Paycheck Protection Program loans. This program provides lenders 100% loan guarantees for loans of up to $10 M per small business for payroll losses and select working capital cost, and the. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.  This loan has a maturity of 2 years and an interest rate of 1%. Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

The overall current average PPP loan size is at $113,000 with over 21% of the PPP loans between $350,000-$1,000,000 according to a June 6, 2020 Treasury Department report.  The chart above illustrates the industries leading in the collection of PPP loans again as of June 6, 2020.

Federal stimulus SBA funding is still available for eligible entities and please contact Dave Robinson at drobinson@montrosegroupllc.com if you need financial assistance.