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Record-setting lending to small businesses locally and nationally will require a capital infusion from Congress, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Some 568 small businesses in Hawaii, 100 more than in all of 2014, have received financing through the SBA’s 7(a) loan guaranty program through the first nine months of the current fiscal year, according to SBA District Director Jane Sawyer.
“Through our local banks and credit unions, we have also seen an increase in volume year-to-date, to over $42.8 million, up from $29 million in 2014,” Sawyer said.
As of June, SBA net loan approvals totaled more than $14 billion across the nation, some $2 billion more than at the same time last year.
SBA Administrator Maria Contreras Sweet asked Congress last month to approve an immediate increase to $22.5 billion, from the current authorization ceiling of $18.75 billion, to keep capital flowing to small businesses.
A bill addressing the need was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
SBA data indicates that 7(a) lending could exceed the statutory cap in late July or early August, which could necessitate a temporary suspension of the program.