Categorized | Business

SBA ARC loans available on Big Isle

MEDIA RELEASE

If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has a new loan program designed just for you.

SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. Each small business is limited to one ARC loan.

ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until September 30, 2010, whichever comes first. 

About the ARC Loan Program

ARC loans can be used to make payments of principal and interest, in full or in part, on one or more existing, qualifying small business loans for up to six months. 

ARC loans provide an immediate infusion of capital to small businesses to assist with making payments of principal and interest on existing debt.  These loans allow borrowers to redirect cash flow from making loan payments to investing in their businesses, to help sustain the business and retain jobs.  

For example, making loan payments on existing loans with proceeds from an ARC loan can allow a business to focus more funds on core operations, such as buying inventory or making payroll.

Created under the Recovery Act, the temporary ARC program loans are interest-free to the borrower, carry a 100 percent guaranty from the SBA to the lender, and require no fees paid to SBA.  Loan proceeds are provided over a six-month period and repayment of the ARC loan principal is deferred for 12 months after the last disbursement of the proceeds.  

Repayment can extend up to five years.

The best candidates for ARC loans are small businesses that in the past were profitable but are currently struggling, yet have been making loan payments or are just beginning to miss loan payments due to financial hardship.  

Since June 15, lenders across the country have provided millions of dollars in capital to small businesses through the America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program.

Frequently Asked Questons for Borrowers

What is an ARC Loan?

• The America’s Recovery Capital, or ARC, loan program is designed to give viable small businesses suffering immediate financial hardship some temporary financial relief so they can keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track.

• The ARC loan program is a new, temporary program authorized by the Recovery Act.

• An ARC loan is a deferred-payment loan of up to $35,000, to be used for principal and interest payments on existing, qualifying debt/loans.

• ARC loans are 100 percent guaranteed by SBA and have no SBA or lender fees associated with them (unless the lender must secure collateral as part of the loan).

• There are no interest charges to the borrower. The SBA will pay the monthly interest at the rate of Prime plus 2 percent to the lender on behalf of the borrower. The current rate is published in the Federal Register.

• There is a disbursement period of up to six months followed by 12 months with no repayment of the ARC loan principal. After the 12-month deferral period, the borrower pays back only the ARC loan principal over a period of five years.

How is “viable” defined and who defines it? What constitutes “immediate financial hardship”?

• Viable means the business is an established, for-profit business with evidence of profitability or positive cash flow in at least one of the past two years. An analysis of financial statements going back two years is also used. Future cash flow projections based on reasonable growth going out two years should show that the business will be able to meet current and future debt obligations, including future repayment of the ARC loan and operating expenses. Also, the borrower must certify that they are currently no more than 60 days past due on any loan being paid with an ARC loan and they must have an acceptable business credit score as determined by SBA.

• Immediate financial hardship means that there must be evidence to show a change in the financial condition such as declining sales, frozen credit lines, difficulty meeting payroll, paying rent, difficulty making loan payments or perhaps something else. Your lender must analyze and confirm that a hardship exists. The SBA has several categories for determining hardship status, such as loss or reduction of revenue in preceding year, increase in business costs in the preceding year, changes in operating ratios, loss of working capital or short-term credit lines, and/or inability to restructure debt due to recent credit restrictions.

• There are additional eligibility requirements. Please contact your SBA lender for details.

• What loans/debts are “qualifying” and eligible to benefit from ARC? Can the proceeds be used to make payments on another SBA-guaranteed loan?

• The only eligible purpose for use of ARC loan proceeds is to make periodic payments of principal and interest on qualifying small business loans.

• Small business loans/debts qualifying and eligible for assistance with ARC loans include:

• Secured & unsecured conventional loans (mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit)

• Capital leases

• Notes payable to vendors/suppliers/utilities

• Community Development Company (CDC) Loan Program (504) first mortgage loans

• Credit card obligations for business purposes

• ARC loans can not be used to make payments on another SBA-guaranteed loan, with the exception of loans made with an SBA guaranty after Feb. 17, 2009.

Can ARC loans be used to pay a home equity line of credit and credit card debt?

• ARC loans can be used to pay home equity lines of credit and credit card obligations if the debt is for business purposes that meets 7(a) standards. Documentation requirements for assistance with home equity and credit card debt are stringent. (Contact your SBA lender for details).

How do I obtain an ARC loan?

• A small business should talk first to their current lender about obtaining an ARC loan.

• ARC loans are made by commercial lenders (ARC loans are not made by the SBA itself).

• Banks and credit unions that are not currently SBA lenders can become SBA lenders in order to make ARC loans.

• SBA district offices can assist lenders in becoming approved SBA lenders.

Where can I get more information or speak with someone at SBA about ARC loans?

• For more about ARC loans go to www.sba.gov. If you would like to speak directly to a customer service representative about the ARC Loan Program, call the toll-free number (866-947-8081) Monday through Friday during the hours of 2 a.m. to noon Hawaii Time.

Is my business right for an ARC loan?

• The ARC loan program is intended to give existing, viable small businesses that are suffering immediate financial hardship some temporary financial relief so they can keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track, retain existing jobs, and ultimately grow in the future.

• Examples of financial hardships include declining sales or revenues or difficulties in paying the operating expenses of the business.

• ARC loans are not designed for new small businesses.

I’ve been making my business loan payments on time. Am I still eligible for an ARC loan? Can I use an ARC loan to establish a line of credit?

• Subject to eligibility and your lender’s credit criteria, you may be eligible for an ARC loan to pay principal and interest on your existing small business loan(s), freeing up your income to pay other operating expenses. For more information, please speak with your SBA lender.

• ARC loans are for making principal and interest payments on qualifying small business loans and are not a line of credit for a business.

When will ARC loans be available?

• ARC loans will be available and SBA will begin accepting applications from lenders beginning June 15.

How long do I have to obtain an ARC loan?

• ARC loans are available through SBA-approved lenders as long as funding is available or through Sept. 30, 2010, whichever comes first. For more information on the ARC loans program and eligibility requirements go to www.sba.gov.

Links to SBA-approved lenders in Hawaii:

Bank of Hawaii: www.boh.com/smbus/486_550.asp

First Hawaiian Bank: www.fhb.com/loans-bus-sba.htm

Central Pacific Bank: www.centralpacificbank.com/content/bizwomen/sba.shtm

American Savings Bank: www.asbhawaii.com/business/2_5_1.php

Hawaii National Bank: www.hawaiinational.com/node/112

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