Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation

Press Releases

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FDIC Announces Forum on Overcoming Obstacles to Small Business Lending

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2010

Media Contact: Andrew Gray (202) 898-7192 angray@fdic.gov

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced that it is hosting a forum to examine obstacles to small business lending on January 13th, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the L. William Seidman Center in Arlington, Virginia. The forum will explore ways in which credit can be made more accessible to the small business sector by bringing together policy makers, regulators, small business owners, lenders and other stakeholders to identify key issues and focus on solutions.

Moderated by CNBC, the event is scheduled to include a panel discussion with FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and Thomas D. Bell, Jr., Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Following this first panel, additional government and private sector leaders will continue the discussion to identify issues that are constraining the availability of credit to small businesses and articulate ideas for overcoming these obstacles. Incoming Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Spencer Bachus is scheduled to open the forum with remarks. Karen Mills, administrator for the Small Business Administration is scheduled to provide closing remarks.

This event is free and open to the public. However, attendance is limited to registered participants and seating is limited. Those requesting admission will be notified via email when their registration is confirmed. The registration deadline is January 7th, 2011. Registration is online at: http://www.regonline.com/SBLForum.

Questions regarding registration can be submitted via e-mail to SmallBusinessLending@fdic.gov.

Attachment: Forum Agenda

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 7,760 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars – insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). PR-282-2010