–  In Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, which offers bridge loans to companies that have gone through its entrepreneurship training and coaching programs, reported making such loans to businesses that could not get credit from banks. A banker indicated that several banks participating in the meeting were founding investors in the League’s loan fund.
–  At several meetings, CDFI participants described the challenges in becoming authorized to provide loans under the SBA’s 7(a) program. Factors impacting the demand for small business credit Small businesses and bank participants noted that the economic downturn has diminished sales for many small businesses, weakening balance sheets and asset values and thus dampening small business loan demand.