Affiliation for Business Loan Programs and Surety Bond Guarantee Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has determined that changing conditions in the American economy and a constantly evolving small business community compel it to seek ways to improve program efficiency for its Surety Bond Guarantee (``SBG'') Program, and the business loan programs consisting of the 7(a) Loan Program, the Business Disaster Loan Programs (collectively, the Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Reservist Injury Disaster Loans, Physical Disaster Business Loans, Immediate Disaster Assistance Program loans), the Microloan Program, and the Development Company Program (the ``504 Loan Program''). As a result, SBA proposes to simplify guidelines for determining affiliation for eligibility based on size as it relates to these programs. This proposed rule would redefine affiliation for all five Programs, thereby simplifying eligibility determinations.