Popular SBA 504 small business funding program sets new record in September

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Loans to American small businesses through the SBA's 504 loan program during September 2012 will be the largest for any single month in the program's 26 year history, according to the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO)

The September debenture sale for the SBA 504 program will be $495 million in 20-year debentures (sold at 2.20%) and $53.1 million in 10-year debentures (sold at 0.98%); a total of more than $548 million.  The 20-year debenture is the second largest, trailing only the August 2012 issue's size of $507 million according to Frank Keene, NADCO 504 program Fiscal Agent, and Jean Wojtowicz, Executive Director of Indiana Statewide CDC and NADCO Chair of the 504 Funding Committee.  NADCO is the trade association for the nation's 270 Certified Development Companies (CDCs),

The SBA 504 loan is designed to help small business owners get long-term financing for capital assets such as the purchase of real estate and equipment.  In most cases, a 504 project includes a first mortgage from a private-second lender that covers 50 percent of the cost, and SBA-guaranteed second mortgage from a CDC that covers 40 percent of the cost, and 10 percent equity from the borrower.  Over 130,000 businesses have obtained SBA 504 loans over the past 25 years, and $50 billion in debentures have been funded, leading to more than $100 billion in small business financing projects.

"These historic low rates are a real benefit for small businesses around the country and allow these businesses to conserve working capital, plan for the future and have the capital necessary to increase their employment levels," said Wojtowicz   

The 12- month average debenture interest rate for the 20-year series is 2.57%. September's issue was priced at 65 basis points over the Treasury market which is 10 basis points lower than its 12- month average spread. The underwriters Credit Suisse and Bank of America Merrill Lynch each reported strong sales on both September issues with each being strongly oversubscribed.

An important benefit for small business borrowers is that the Effective Rate (including all funding costs and guarantee fees) on their new 20 year loans will be approximately 4.30%. Through August, the effective rate on the twenty-year series has averaged only 4.595% during 2012.  Additionally, both the 20-year debenture and the 10-year debenture will carry the lowest interest rates for borrowers since the program began in 1986. These monthly sales have provided record low cost, long term financing for owner-occupied real estate and business equipment to more than 5,000 small businesses across the country. The result of these loans has been creation of thousands of jobs for these businesses through low cost capital.

About NADCO
The National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) is the trade association for the nation's Certified Development Companies (CDCs).  Our members are community economic development organizations that serve every state, as well as Puerto Rico and U. S. territories in the South Pacific.  CDCs have been certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financing to small businesses through the SBA 504 loan program.  For more information, contact at CDC in your area by visiting the NADCO website, www.nadco.org.

SOURCE National Association of Development Companies (NADCO)