SBA 504 Program Approaches Lending Cap - Expected By September 5
East Texas Regional Development Company • August 25, 2021
The National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have communicated with members about the extraordinarily high volume of 504 approvals this year. The good news is that as an industry, we are doing our part to support small business recovery with what they need most: long-term, fixed-rate capital to rebuild and plan for the future.
However, the growth of the program does not come without challenges. In this case, the regular 504 program, which includes 504 debt refi with expansion, will reach its congressionally authorized cap of $7.5 billion before the cap is reset on October 1. As of August 21, the regular 504 program had approximately $7 billion in approvals, with estimates pointing to the program reaching the cap as soon as September 5th.
What does this mean to the small business applicant, the CDC, and lending partners?
- Absent congressional action to provide additional authority for the regular 504 program, the SBA will be unable to approve new loans or increase existing loan approvals once the program reaches the $7.5 billion cap. Please note that the cap is based on approvals, not on closed or disbursed loans.
- CDCs can submit regular 504 loans (including 504 debt refi with expansion). However, once approvals reach the $7.5 billion cap, these loans cannot be approved. NADCO has asked SBA to provide the industry with more information about what happens to loans in the process once we reach the cap. Stay tuned for additional details as they are made available.
- CDCs can submit 504 debt refi without expansion loans, which can be processed with authorizations issued as usual.
Executive Director David Cleveland has named Luke Kimbrough as the new Regional Lending Manager for the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). In this role, Kimbrough will oversee the day-to-day operations of the East Texas Regional Development Company’s (ETRDC) small business loan programs. He will work closely with the ETRDC Board, manage financial and administrative services, and ensure the program follows all state and federal guidelines. Kimbrough brings with them more than seven years of experience in banking and employee benefits. Before accepting this position, Kimbrough served as CEO of the Banking Center at Citizens Bank in Gladewater. His previous roles include Vice President at First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City, Benefits Consultant for Colonial Life in Longview, and Branch Manager for Regions Bank in Kilgore. Before his banking career, Mr. Kimbrough served for several years as the Director of Public Information and Regional Services at ETCOG. “It is a great pleasure for me to welcome Luke back to the ETCOG Family! His exceptional work in the banking community for many years position him for even greater success with our ETRDC Business Lending Programs. I am glad he is back and am even more excited to see the steady growth and expansion of one of our most important economic development programs that will undoubtedly occur under his leadership!” said Executive Director David Cleveland. “I am excited to come back to ETCOG and the East Texas Regional Development Company,” said Kimbrough. “Spending the last decade in banking, I have gained much more experience in financial analysis and commercial lending. There is a lot of work ahead to help the businesses and economy of East Texas.” The ETRDC is a nonprofit organization that is certified and regulated by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its main purpose is to support local economic development by helping small businesses access long-term, fixed-rate financing. ETRDC offers financing through the SBA 504 Loan Program and Chapman Loan Program.
The East Texas Regional Development Company will sponsor an East Texas Lenders Roundtable hosted by UT Tyler-Longview Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Small Business Administration to discuss SBA 7a loans and 504 lending basics. Expert panelists will discuss various loan programs and resources to help businesses increase their portfolios and obtain financing.
The Office of the Governor has announced the launch of a new recovery program, the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program (TTIR), which will begin accepting applications on July 6, 2022. The purpose of this program is to provide grants to Texas businesses in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry that were negatively impacted due to COVID-19.
