As we continue to sift dutifully through the over 1,000 pages of the stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), there is one provision that is not getting much attention, but could be very helpful to small businesses. If you are a small business and have received an SBA loan from your local banker, but are having trouble making payments, you can get a "stabilization loan". That's right; finally some bailout money goes into the hands of the small business owner, instead of going down the proverbial deep hole of the stock market or large banks. But don't get too excited. It is limited to very specific instances and is not available for vast majority of business owners.

There are some news articles that boldly claim the SBA will now provide relief if you have an existing business loan and are having trouble making the payments. This is not a true statement and needs to be clarified. As seen in more detail in this article, this is wrong because it applies to troubled loans made in the future, not existing ones.

With lower down payments and longer terms, a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan—guaranteed in part by the U.S. government—may be the right solution for you. We offer personalized expertise and professional guidance so you can take full advantage of SBA loan benefits.

There are several reasons to consider an SBA loan for your business. Benefits include:

• Longer terms than most conventional loans
• Lower equity requirements
• Lower debt service coverage requirements
• Less restrictive collateral requirements

Given these potential advantages, it is well worth taking the time to consider SBA financing. How can an SBA loan help your business? The SBA will guarantee loans for a variety of purposes including:

• Purchase of owner-occupied real estate
• Construction and expansion of business premises
• Purchase of machinery and equipment, furniture, fixtures, and leasehold improvements
• Business acquisition
• Debt refinancing
• Working capital

When your business is in its starting phase, you need a loan to grow it. Yes, there are ways for you to start your business with very little capital, but even in the age of the internet you need loans for the growth and expansion of your business. Oftentimes, startup and small business owners are scared of taking loans because they believe returning the same loan with interest on it will hinder their growth. The fact is a loan is not such a big liability if you have done your homework before getting it. Hastily getting a loan without researching the market and knowing your business' growth potential can be detrimental to the business.