MONEY FOR YOUR BUSINESS - UP TO $750,000 GUARANTEED!

Roughly 98 percent of the companies in the United States qualify
as small businesses - and most of these businesses are eligible
for U.S. Small Business Administration loans up to $750,000,
available to build their operations.

To these businesses, the SBA guarantees of 90 percent on lenders
loans up to $155,000 and guarantees of 85 percent on larger
loans. The SBA even makes direct loans to eligible individuals
and companies.

As with any business loan, the SBA and its associated lenders
look at the applicant's personal credit history, the business
financial profile and management experience, and the growth
trends in the applicant's industry.

Among SBA objectives are greater support for women and minorities
in business, aid to rural small business development, and urban
business and job creation programs.

The 7 (a) loan guarantee program is the SBA's standard program.
It aids small businesses needing funds to buy fixed assets or for
working capital.

In the 8 (a) program, the SBA acts as prime contractor,
contracting with other federal agencies to negotiate subcontractswith small businesses owned by socially or economically
disadvantaged individuals.

In 1987, 370,000 companies in the U.S. were owned by Asians,
American Indians and other minorities. The SBA made over 1600
loans totaling over $400 million to these companies.

There were more than 420,000 Black-owned business in the U.S. in
1987, up almost 40 % from 1982. The SBA made more than 500 loans
and over 1600 8 (a) contracts totaling over $1.4 billion
Black-owned companies in 1990.

Over 420,000 businesses were Hispanic-owned in 1987, up more than
80% since 1982. A number of these firms took part in SBA
programs.

Disabled and Vietnam-era veterans who cannot secure business
financing on reasonable terms from other sources can go to the
SBA. Veterans can use these loans to start a small business, or
to build an existing business.

Small companies in the field of energy conservation can find
financial support in the SBA's Small Business Solar Energy and
Conservation Loan Program. Loans are available to a broad range
of companies seeking ways to cut use of U.S. energy resources.

The SBA's Small Loan program encourages SBA-guaranteed loans of
$50,000 or less. Applicants should ask for the SBA Form 4 short
form to apply for the small loans.
The recent microloan program offering loans of $200 to $15,000
makes SBA funding available to even tiny businesses.

The SBA HAL-1 and HAL-2 programs help handicapped individuals and
nonprofit workshops to establish, purchase or run a small
businesses

The SBA's Certified Development Company (CDC) loan program offers
credit for small and medium sized businesses that fall between
the cracks of programs covered by traditional lenders. And the
Export Revolving Line of Credit program helps small exporters to
obtain an SBA guarantee on a loan or line of credit.

The SBA operates an information desk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Monday through Friday. Call 1-800-827-5722 (1-800-U-ASK SBA) 


CHOOSING A BANK THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

It is important to select the right bank.  Do NOT choose any bank-be fussy!  
There are two main objectives to seek when searching for a new bank. 1.)  
Find a bank that is aggressively seeking new business. 2.)  Choose one with 
which you can develop a personal relationship.

To select a bank that is aggressive, simply watch for extended advertising 
campaigns.  They are very costly, and must bring in new business in order 
to be continued.

Look also for smaller banks, ones with just a few offices.  They tend to be 
more aggressive, more lenient on qualifications, much friendlier and more 
personalized in the service they offer.  They are forced by nature of their 
competition to be more flexible.

With the small, independent bank, you will get friendly service, and often 
will be called by name.  The tellers remember you and do not need to request 
your identification every time you want to cash a check.  Small banks do not 
have a large loan committee that spends lots of time shuffling papers.  
They may however, stall your loan application for a day or so in order not 
to appear too anxious!  Its a minor issue...and not one to be overly 
concerned about.

Big banks seem to have forgotten that the customer is number one. You will 
be far more pleased with your small bank and your personalized service when 
it comes to getting loans and other services for your own business.