SBA 504 and the Credit Markets Crisis - Open for Business!
In spite of the credit crisis that has gripped our economy - the SBA 504 program continues on - strong, well funded, and still lending to small businesses. Many financial institutions have tightened credit criteria or slowed lending for commercial expansion. The SBA 504 product is here to help keep serving your small business clients and prospects. As you know, SBA 504 is funded by the issuance of bonds, pooled and sold to major institutional investors because of the 100% SBA guarantee of the pool. This full faith and credit backing for the 504 loans has attracted more investors in this 'flight to quality environment.' 504 pool issuance has actually increased almost 6% in fiscal 2008 to a record $5 billion. Investor base for the 504 pool has greatly expanded due to the security of the product, its liquidity in this market and the 27 year record of regular calendars and clear pricing rationales. Interest rates on the 504 loans have remained in a fairly stable range throughout this crisis.