Virginia Banks Have Provided More Than $8.7 Billion to Small Businesses through Paycheck Protection Program; More than $3.2 Billion in Pending Applications Await Funding
Virginia banks of all sizes have been working around-the-clock to provide loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), processing 40,371 applications totaling more than $8.7 billion as of April 16, according to the SBA.
Many more PPP loan applications did not gain SBA approval before the $349 billion authorized for PPP loans was exhausted yesterday. An overnight Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) survey of member banks reveals that number to be more than 22,726 small business applications totaling requests for $3.235 billion in PPP loans. The VBA estimates this data to be conservative, as bankers have stated that even more small businesses were in the process of preparing to apply.
Nationwide, the U.S. Department of the Treasury reported today that PPP has provided payroll assistance to more than 1.6 million small businesses in all 50 states and territories. Nearly 5,000 lenders participated in this critical program. No lender accounted for more than 5% of the total dollar amount of the program. The vast majority of these loans—74% of them—were for under $150,000, demonstrating the accessibility of this program to even the smallest of small businesses. The PPP provided funds to a wide variety of industries in all sectors of the economy.
The banking industry continues to urge Congress to protect more American families and their jobs and businesses by allocating additional funding and to move very quickly on the $250 billion addition to PPP currently being discussed.
“As we wait for Congress to allocate more funding to PPP, small business owners should continue to consult with their bank, as there are other programs and alternatives available and likely more coming soon,” said Bruce Whitehurst, president and CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association. “Banks are working with small businesses and individuals affected by this crisis every day to help them as much as they possibly can.”
If you would like to schedule an interview with Virginia Bankers Association President & CEO Bruce Whitehurst on this issue or any other banking industry topics, please email him at bruce@vabankers.org.
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About the Virginia Bankers Association
The Virginia Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and has served as the unified voice for Virginia’s $615 billion banking industry and its 42 thousand employees since 1893. To learn more about the VBA, click here.