July 2021
Issue 49
SBA 504 Program –
Approval Turnaround Times
SBA 504 Effective Rates for July 2021
25-year – 2.82% / 2.86% Refi
20-year – 2.70% / 2.74% Refi
10-year – 2.60% / 2.66% Refi
SBA’s turnaround times for 504 loan approvals currently average over 22 business days, which is the highest it has been in years. While this is unfortunate and frustrating for everyone involved, due to the circumstances, it is not completely unexpected. Just like most organizations, the pandemic has created some interesting challenges for SBA. These challenges include the navigation of employees working from home, workers being out for extended periods of time, staff being stretched thin between several different, and constantly changing, CARES Act and COVID relief programs, and a record number of 504 loan submissions (nationwide approvals have increased 20% over the previous year).
However, NWBDA believes that we will be seeing improved turnaround times soon due to several factors:
First, the SBA HQ has approved surge staffing for the SBA Sacramento Loan Processing Center and will be expediting onboarding and training of the new staff. Furthermore, due to the reducing number of COVID cases and the reopening of states and cities, we speculate that many of SBA’s employees will be returning to their physical offices soon, which should increase efficiencies.
Additionally, the “Express Loan Authority” guidance from SBA is expected to be released soon, after which several Certified Development Companies (including NWBDA) will be granted authority to approve, authorize, close, and service 504 loans up to $500,000, subject to SBA’s review and acceptance of eligibility only (SBA shall not review authorized Certified Development Company’s decisions involving creditworthiness, loan closing, or compliance with legal requirements imposed by laws and regulations).
Despite the current loan approval turnaround times, the SBA 504 Loan Program still has the same advantages for thriving and recovering small businesses alike, all around the Pacific Northwest, due to historically low fixed interest rates and the long loan terms that are incredibly important to small business owners everywhere.
NWBDA remains committed to taking care of borrowers and is looking forward to bringing some of the smaller loan approvals processes in-house. We will continue to send out any SBA guidance that we receive. In the meantime, we encourage you to please reach out with any questions.
SBA’s Closes Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the closure of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) after awarding the program’s full $28.6 billion appropriation to more than 100,000 restaurants, bars, and other businesses that provide on-site food and drink.
“The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided desperately needed relief to more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage businesses across the Nation with significant funding going to our hardest-hit, underserved businesses,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman. “As among the first to close in this pandemic and likely the last to reopen, many are still struggling to survive. The SBA will continue to work hard to ensure they get the resources they need to recover.”
As of June 30, 2021, the RRF program received more than 278,000 eligible applications representing over $72.2 billion requested funds. Approximately 101,000 applications have been approved for restaurants, bars, and other restaurant-type businesses. Underserved populations received approximately $18 billion in grant awards including:
- $7.5 billion to women-owned businesses
- $1 billion to veteran-owned businesses
- $6.7 billion to social and economically disadvantaged-owned
businesses - $2.8 billion to businesses owned by representatives of multiple
underserved populations
The remainder of the $28.6 billion was awarded to eligible applicants not identified as part of an underserved group.
Read the full report: http://ow.ly/fwMr50Fs6Sp
Business Development Officers
Eastern Washington/
Northern Idaho
Eric Sartell
esartell@nwbusiness.org
(509) 904-5169
Central Washington
Lisa Vincent
lvincent@nwbusiness.org
(509) 469-5040
Western Washington
Elizabeth Rusnak
erusnak@nwbusiness.org
(425) 286-6673
Mark Beppler
mbeppler@nwbusiness.org
(425) 505-3263
Southwestern Washington
Jim Bight
jbright@nwbusiness.org
(360) 521-5704
Greater Portland Metro Area/
North Oregon Coast
Mike Miller
mmiller@nwbusiness.org
(503) 746-1805
Willamette Valley, Central,
Eastern & Southern Oregon
Evan Heriot
eheriot@nwbusiness.org
(541) 228-5015
June’s Loan Fundings
NWBDA funded 6 new
projects for the total amount
of $18,903,681.56
June’s Loan Approvals
NWBDA approved 7 new
projects for the total amount
of $11,485,540.00
In the month of June,
NWBDA helped
create 62 new jobs
in the local communities
info@nwbusiness.org
www.nwbusiness.org
(509) 458-8555
(800) 540-1748 (Toll Free)