HERE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES
Dear Small Business, Friends and Partners,
In response to the COVID-19 National Emergency, the SBA Express Bridge Loan (EBL) Pilot Program has been modified and the term extended. The EBL Pilot Program is designed to supplement the Agency’s direct disaster loan capabilities and authorizes SBA Express Lenders to provide expedited SBA-guaranteed bridge loan financing on an emergency basis in amounts up to $25,000 for disaster-related purposes to small businesses located in communities affected by Presidentially-declared disasters while those small businesses apply for and await long-term financing (including through SBA’s direct Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, if eligible).
The general eligibility requirements for the EBL are as follows:
- For small businesses with an existing banking relationship with SBA Express lenders as of the date of the disaster. Check Lender List
- Effective March 25, 2020, (announcement by publication of a notice in the Federal Register will follow), SBA expanded program eligibility to include small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration issued by President Trump on March 13, 2020 (“COVID-19 Emergency Declaration”).
- EBL loans can only be made by SBA Express Lenders that had a valid Supplemental Loan Guaranty Agreement SBA Express Program in effect as of the date of the applicable disaster;
- EBL loans can only be made up to six months after the date of an applicable Presidential Disaster Declaration, however for the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, EBL loans can be approved through March 13, 2021.
- The Lender must have an existing banking relationship with the EBL applicant as of the date of the applicable disaster in order to help mitigate the risks associated with the streamlined underwriting process under the EBL Pilot Program.
- The small business must have been operational when the declared disaster commenced and must meet all other 7(a) loan eligibility requirements (credit elsewhere, size, etc.);
- All EBL applications will begin with a screening for a FICO Small Business Scoring Service Score (SBSS Score) – The minimum acceptable SBSS Score for an EBL loan applicant is 130
- Lender must obtain a personal credit score for each guarantor. The personal credit score(s) must be satisfactory under the Lender’s standards for its similarly-sized, non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans.
- The EBL loan must be structured as term loans not to exceed 7 years (revolving lines of credit are not permitted).
- The EBL Pilot Program follows the SBA Express interest rate policy, and SBA guaranty percentage is limited to the maximum guaranty percentage of 50% for SBA Express loans.
- EBL loans cannot be sold in SBA’s secondary market, they’re subject to the same upfront guaranty fees required for 7(a) loans of similar size and maturity
- Because the maximum amount of an EBL loan is $25,000, SBA Express Lenders are not required to take collateral for EBL loans
- Lenders may charge an EBL applicant an application fee of 2 % of the loan amount or $250,whichever is greater.
- Prior to any disbursement of EBL loan proceeds, Lender must submit a signed IRS Form 4506-T to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and obtain an IRS tax transcript for the EBL applicant business for the purpose of verifying the existence of the business as of the date the applicable disaster commenced and confirming that the EBL applicant has filed required tax returns
For more information on the EBL Program and eligibility requirements, please review the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide and feel free to contact our lender relations team with any questions.
Best,
Ili Spahiu Assistant District Director for Lender Relations Massachusetts District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration
Office: (617) 565-5569
Cell: (617) 763-8833
Fax: (202) 481-0680
ili.spahiu@sba.gov
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Additional Links and Resources:
If you are ready to apply online and just need an aid to walk you through the questions, please review the STEP-BY-STEP PDF and the RECORDED WEBINAR below…
PDF: Economic Injury Disaster Loan STEP-BY-STEP Application Overview
RECORDED WEBINAR: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Overview
Handout: SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
Handout: Asistencia de Desastre de la SBA en Respuesta al Coronavirus
RESOURCE PARTNERS
Center for Women and Enterprise is open virtually!
How are you being impacted and what do you need?
CWE is doing a SURVEY to understand our local small businesses.
Please FILL OUT THE SURVEY and let them know how your business is being impacted by the current pandemic. Share what issues you are facing, questions you are having and resources you need.
CWE will mobilize the network of small business expert friends to help you address specific challenges you may be having in your business in the coming weeks.
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In times like these, it can feel scary to think about money flow. There is very little ‘free money’ available. Taking on low-interest debt through Disaster Relief programs can be a good fit for some businesses. Before making any decisions, make sure to think through your decision.
Some questions that can guide you:
- Do you know how much it costs you to stay open? Your breakeven point is a great tool to guide your decisions.
- How much money do you actually need in the immediate (week), intermediate (1-3 months), long-term (<1 year) for yourself from your business?
- Where are there opportunities for you to negotiate around your expenses? How can you work with your vendors, landlord, customers?
- Have you called your insurance company to inquire about your ‘interruptions’ coverage?
- Where can you get creative and work ‘bare bones’ while still delivering to your standards of quality?
If you decide debt is an option for you:
- What source is best for you? Have you talked with your banker to see what might be available to you?
- If you can’t qualify for a loan through a traditional bank, there may be programs available to you in the coming weeks. How can you be best prepared for this type of program?
- What’s your plan for paying the loan back?
- What’s the minimum amount you can borrow to get you through these times without causing future challenges to your business when you have to repay?
Tips:
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WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Staff are working remotely and can be reached via email or telephone. MSBDC is committed to supporting entrepreneurs during these very challenging times.
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MSBDC advisors can assist businesses with disaster loan applications.
If you are not currently a client and would like to speak with a counselor, please find your region and reach out to the REGIONAL OFFICE SERVING YOU.
Berkshire Regional Office
33 Dunham Mall, Suite 103
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-0933 | Fax: 413-499-3005
www.msbdc.org/berkshire
Central Regional Office
Clark University
The Carriage House, 125 Woodland Street
Worcester, MA 01610
508-793-7615 | Fax: 508-793-8890
www.clarku.edu/offices/sbdc
Government Sales Advisory Program / SBIR
Central Massachusetts: 508-870-3193
www.msbdc.org/gs
Southeastern Massachusetts: 774-203-9972
www.msbdc.org/sbir
Northeast Regional Office
Salem State University
121 Loring Avenue, Suite 310
Salem, MA 01970
978-542-6343 | Fax: 978-542-6345
www.salemstate.edu/sbdc
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Scibelli Enterprise Center
1 Federal Street, Building 1
Springfield, MA 01105
413-545-6303 | Fax: 413-737-2312
https://www.massptac.org
Southeast Regional Office
200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721
508-673-9783 | Fax: 508-674-1929
www.msbdc.org/semass
Western Regional Office
Scibelli Enterprise Center
One Federal Street, Building 101
Springfield, MA 01105-1160
413-577-1768 | Fax: 413-737-2312
www.msbdc.org/wmass
(IF ANY CONTACTS IN THIS EMAIL DO NOT WORK, PLEASE REACH OUT TO NORM AND LET US KNOW!! Email: norman.eng@sba.gov)
Counseling Sessions with BOSTON SCORE CHAPTER:
If you want to speak with a counselor, SCORE is doing tele-consults. Just pick a date and time to schedule a session and enter your contact info, they are doing sessions by phone and Zoom video app.
Reach out to other SCORE CHAPTERS throughout the state below.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Thursday 3/26/20 at 2pm
Keep Your Clients Virtually Engaged in the Midst of the Pandemic
Friday 3/27/20 at 1pm
Managing Your Cash During the Coronavirus Emergency
Monday 3/30/20 at 3pm
Coronavirus – What Employers and Employees Need to Know
Tuesday 3/31/20 at 10am
So, You Want to Become a Consultant
Thursday 4/2/20 at 10am
6 Essential Steps to Create An eBook to Market Your Business
Thursday 4/16/20 at 10am
Intellectual Property for Small Businesses
Wednesday 4/29/20 at 10am
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