The program would provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. If employers maintain their payroll, the loans would be forgiven, which would help workers remain employed, as well as help affected small businesses and our economy to snap-back quicker after the crisis. PPP has a host of attractive features, such as forgiveness of up to 8 weeks of payroll based on employee retention and salary levels, no SBA fees and at least six months of deferral with maximum deferrals of up to a year. Small businesses and other eligible entities will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. This program is would be retroactive to February 15, 2020, in order to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Loans are available through June 30, 2020.
New $349 billion SBA lending program, modeled on existing 7(a) program, with 100% government guarantee (as opposed to 75% guarantee for 7(a) loans).
Eligibility:
- Small businesses as defined by SBA size standards (generally up to 500 employees, but up to 1,500 employees depending on the sector and certain sectors are based on revenue).
- Businesses in the Accommodation and Food Services Sector (NAICS Code 72) are eligible with up to 500 employees at each location. Code 72 is limited to restaurants and accommodations (hotels).
- Non-profits with fewer than 500 employees who are 501(c)3s and do not receive Medicaid funding.
- Sole proprietors, the self-employed, and independent contractors.
Regulatory Streamlining: SBA’s standard “no credit elsewhere” test is waived and non SBA lenders approved by Treasury and SBA can provide loans.
Maximum Loans: Generally monthly payroll costs for 2 ½ months, not to exceed $10 million. Payroll costs exclude compensation paid to individuals, including the self-employed, in excess of $100,000 a year.
Requirements: The employer certifies that they will maintain their average full-time equivalent employment, with incentives to re-hire if employees have been furloughed.
Loan Forgiveness: The borrower shall have a portion of their loan forgiven in the amount equal to their payroll costs (not including costs for compensation in excess of $100,000 annually), interest payments on mortgages, rent payments, and utility payments between February 15 and June 30, 2020. Loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower reduces employment by a ratio similar to their reduction in employment or if borrower reduces salaries and wages by more than 25%.
Banks that already participate as SBA lenders will administer by making these low-interest rate loans, expected to be tied to the maximum interest rate for SBA loans as February 15, 2020. There are protections against reselling the loan. The bill also excuses banks who make loans under this program from certain accounting and loss reserve requirements, thereby freeing up funds for additional lending.
Borrowers who receive Small Business Interruption Loans are not eligible to receive SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).
