Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

Winter 2010/2011

For More Help or Information for Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loan guarantees, referrals to local free or low-cost counseling and training, tips on how to write a business plan, and other support for small businesses. For more information, call the SBA toll-free at 1-800-827-5722, go to www.sba.gov or contact the SBA District Office in your area.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has two new resources for small businesses. One is a toll-free hotline (1-855-FDIC-BIZ, which is 1-855-334-2249) to respond to questions or concerns about credit availability for small businesses. The other is a Web site at www.fdic.gov/smallbusiness with useful information (including a video of the FDIC's January 2011 forum on overcoming obstacles to small business lending) and an online form to ask the FDIC a question or register a concern. Also see Ideas for Growing a Small Business for tips on topics ranging from getting loans to understanding FDIC insurance coverage for business deposits.

Your state, county or city government may offer assistance to small businesses ranging from its own financial aid packages to referrals to other local sources of assistance.

Your bank and other financial institutions in your area may offer a variety of loan and deposit services geared for small businesses, and employees there can be good sources of information and referrals.