North Bay Business Journal

NORTH BAY — More capital is flowing to North Bay small businesses through loan programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, with a 10.4 percent increase in dollar volume funded in Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties comparing the first half of the administration’s fiscal year to the same period one year ago, according to data from the SBA.

NORTH BAY — Oakland-based microlender Oakland Business Development Co. is now actively pursuing borrowers in the North Bay and beyond, bolstered by a new loan program backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and by demand created in a financial climate that has pushed traditional lenders away from smaller loans in recent years.

Many business owners are aware of the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs in which local banks participate. Most are not aware, however, of the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. The SBIC program was created to help fill the gap between the availability of growth capital and the needs of small businesses.

The volume of small business lending backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the Bay Area reached an all-time high during the last fiscal year, and volume for such loans in three North Bay counties grew by more than one-third.

SANTA ROSA — By acquiring American Heritage Holdings in Southern California, Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STSA), the parent of Sonoma Bank, will be pushing into smaller-balance loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to a top bank official.

NORTH BAY — While many North Bay small businesses continue to grapple with the lingering challenges that emerged during the worst part of the recession, regional experts agree that key strategies have helped some companies to position themselves more strongly in a changed business landscape.

North Bay lenders are lamenting the imminent expiration of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s temporary 504 refinance program, which allows a one-time refinance of debt and reinvestment of equity.

The temporary program, launched by the Jumpstart Our Small Businesses (JOBS) Act of 2010, allows a small-business owner to refinance debt through the typical 504 loan structure used for financing property and other tangible assets: a 10 percent equity contribution from the borrower, a 40 percent, 20-year fixed-rate government loan and a 50 percent second mortgage from a second commercial lender. In combination, up to $10 million can be refinanced through the program.

SANTA ROSA – More small businesses in the North Bay and beyond are obtaining financing through the California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, with lenders lauding it as a strong alternative to loan programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

NORTH BAY – The volume of small business lending in the North Bay backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration was 29 percent lower for the first half of fiscal 2012 compared to the same period last year, with a corresponding 16.7 percent decrease in dollars across Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties, according to the SBA.

Spotlight: SBA Lenders 2012

SANTA ROSA — The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved the inclusion of AltaPacific Bank (OTCBB: ABNK) in its Preferred Lenders Program, a designation that streamlines the process for awarding SBA-backed loans.

Novato-based Circle Bank has partnered with Keiretsu Forum, said to be the world’s largest angel investor network, to provide financing advice to startup and early-stage companies in the North Bay and San Francisco. … Adam Capital, a Sonoma-based lender specializing in financing small-scale solar projects, is urging solar companies to act before the window closes on a 30 percent federal grant on solar projects at the end of this year. … Westamerica bank is making preparations to move its branch in Ignacio near its current location in the Pacheco Plaza shopping center early next year, said Robert Thorson, the bank’s chief financial officer. … Community First Credit Union signed up the greater number of new members in November than in any month in its 50-year history, beating a record set in October. … The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a free web seminar on Dec. 15 to help small business owners prepare for the end of the 2011 tax year. … Images in Motion, a Sonoma-based studio specializing in puppets for television, is filming a series of commercials for Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union to “explain the benefits of credit union services to customers on the Big Island.”

NORTH BAY — Santa Rosa-based First Community Bank loaned the greatest amount of dollars to small businesses in the North Bay through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 7(a) program in the 2011 fiscal year, jumping 10 places ahead to No. 1 and joining a wave of lending both locally and across the country.

Both the number of loans and the total value of loans facilitated through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 program decreased across the North Bay in fiscal year 2011, though lenders said levels reflected that some businesses are still expanding during the recessionary period.

Lenders are praising recent tweaks to the new U.S. Small Business Administration 504 refinance program, saying that the changes make more small businesses eligible while simplifying the process for institutions.

SANTA ROSA — In 1977, La Tortilla Factory opened with $75,000 — including a $50,000 loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Based on active lenders in the North Bay, including the Business Journal’s 2010 list of largest SBA lenders to the region

NORTH BAY — North Bay SBA lending — both 504 and 7a — increased by 35 percent in dollars and 21 percent in volume year-over-year for the first half of fiscal 2011 that began in October.

NORTH BAY — North Bay SBA lending — both 504 and 7a — increased by 35 percent in dollars and 21 percent in volume year-over-year for the first half of fiscal 2011 that began in October.

SANTA ROSA – In 1977, La Tortilla Factory opened with $75,000 – including a $50,000 loan through the Small Business Administration. Almost 35 years later, the 300-employee business has been named Small Business of the Year by the SBA for the Northern California region.