Some legislative ideologues and conservative groups would rather abolish the SBA than spend taxpayers' money to boost its small business loan-guarantee programs.

Rental apartments are back in demand, financing for hotels and motels is loosening up a bit and investors are stepping off the sidelines with wads of cash to do deals.

The revised HARP program will help a few homeowners and investors at taxpayers' expense. It will release refinancing lenders from liability. And most disappointing, it may have no discernible effect on improving our economy.

Every bank has its own sweet spot for small-business loans and will look at your application somewhat differently. Find the right one and form a business relationship before applying.

Community express loans have been widely used by small-business owners in need of small amounts of working capital ― currently up to $25,000 in most areas.

Pundits say that $350 billion of commercial mortgage loans are coming due for payoff. The balances still owed are so high that many borrowers will be unable to refinance conventionally.

Amidst the foreboding headlines, there is a not-so-noticeable success story for small-business borrowers. SBA's Community Express Program continues to chug along at a brisk pace.

I lost a friend last week. Innovative Bank of Oakland, Calif. is kaput. Just like with other bank failures, the regulators swooped down on the floundering bank after the stock market closed on Friday.

A new secondary market for the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 loan program is up and running.

Once upon a time loans from friends and family ranked as the most prevalent way for entrepreneurs to fund business start-ups. Now, credit cards have jumped to the top of the list.

Borrowers who were seeking creative financing raised my antennae when I was in the lending business.

Angel investors are often wealthy individuals that invest under $1 million in promising, new companies. They lend to companies that are too risky for traditional business loans from conservative banking institutions.

CIT has been a stalwart lender for small businesses. But there are alternatives if you look for them.

Resolve to grow your business in 2010. But if you have not started your company yet, resolve to launch it.