Small Business

Policy makers are trying to ensure that communities underserved by traditional banks are getting access to a small-business coronavirus loan-relief program, but it has turned out to be more of an art than a science.

A slow economic recovery could test the strength of nonbank lenders, forcing many to raise capital if the businesses that have borrowed from them struggle to recover or shut down after the lockdown enforced during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite a surge in unemployment brought on by the spread of the coronavirus, CedarWorks is having trouble attracting workers because many can make more money staying home.

Before he could build an empire doing business with “the little fellows,” A.P. Giannini had to spirit his gold out of San Francisco in the back of a wagon. The story of how Bank of America was built shows that hard times can breed the upstarts who fuel the next boom.

The bipartisan measure would ease requirements on hundreds of billions of dollars in loans issued under Paycheck Protection Program to aid employers struggling to stay open during the pandemic.

Real-estate companies are cashing in on the government’s emergency-spending program, despite rules meant to bar landlords and other property owners from the funds.

As unemployment rises and the first wave of federal economic relief nears expiration, lawmakers are looking to expand a wage subsidy to keep workers on payrolls and help businesses stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Trump administration has updated guidelines for forgiving federally backed loans to help small businesses survive the coronavirus outbreak—but they don’t address some stickier issues plaguing lenders and borrowers.

More Louisianians are on unemployment rolls and more have died than when Hurricane Katrina hit 15 years ago. And as with that catastrophe, black residents are bearing disproportionate medical and financial impacts.

Planned Parenthood is facing scrutiny from the Trump administration after local chapters received more than $80 million in loans under the PPP, the latest flashpoint in the fight over what kinds of entities should be eligible for the small-business funds.

The Bank of Japan bolstered its support for business financing to about $700 billion, paralleling the Federal Reserve in expanding the central banking tool kit during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate was unable to finalize a deal to extend the amount of time companies have to spend loans obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program, putting off the likely passage of revised small-business aid rules to next month.

The Small Business Administration’s coronavirus rescue effort has been peppered with complaints about the agency’s loan programs, and bipartisan lawmakers have yet another beef—they can’t get answers from the SBA.

Some vulnerable Senate Republicans expressed frustration over the party’s go-slow approach on the next round of coronavirus relief, urging quicker action as re-election concerns start to play a more prominent role on Capitol Hill

The service, Facebook Shops, will enlist small businesses to sell their wares online at the same time the coronavirus pandemic is upending business world-wide.

The Treasury Department told public companies to return forgivable loans received under the Paycheck Protection Program—saying businesses with access to other sources of capital aren’t eligible—but at least 30 say they will keep the money.

New York’s wedding industry is in turmoil as the coronavirus pandemic forces brides and grooms to postpone their expensive and long-held plans—in some cases for the second time.

Hundreds of small businesses have begun using a process established by Congress last year to make chapter 11 proceedings cheaper and faster while helping owners retain ownership, just as the economic crisis hits.