SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
March 14, 2016
(R41456)
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Summary
The Small Business Administration's (SBA's) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) SBA Small Business Investment
Company Program
Robert Jay Dilger
Senior Specialist in American National Government
April 30, 2015
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R41456
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Summary
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)
program is designed to enhance small business access to venture capital by stimulating and
supplementing
“"the flow of private equity capital and long-term loan funds which small-business
concerns need for the sound financing of their business operations and for their growth,
expansion, and modernization, and which are not available in adequate supply.
”" Facilitating the
flow of capital to small businesses to stimulate the national economy was, and remains, the SBIC
program’ program's primary objective.
As of March
As of December 31, 2015, there were
296300 privately owned and managed SBA-licensed SBICs
providing small businesses private capital the SBIC has raised (called regulatory capital) and
funds the SBIC borrows at favorable rates (called leverage) because the SBA guarantees the
debenture (loan obligation). SBICs pursue investments in a broad range of industries, geographic
areas, and stages of investment. Some SBICs specialize in a particular field or industry, and
others invest more generally. Most SBICs concentrate on a particular stage of investment (i.e.,
startup, expansion, or turnaround) and geographic area.
The SBIC program has invested or committed about $
23.625.9 billion in small businesses, with the
SBA’ SBA's share of capital at risk about $
11.412.9 billion. In
FY2014FY2015, the SBA committed to guarantee
$2.55 billion in SBIC small business investments. SBICs invested another $
2.923.73 billion from
private capital for a total of
almost $5.5nearly $6.3 billion in financing for 1,
085 small businesses.
P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, increased the annual amount of leverage
the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion. Some Members of
210 small businesses.
In recent years, some Members of Congress and the Obama Administration have argued that the program should be expanded
still
further as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. For example,
over the past
several Congresses, bills have been introduced to increase the program’s family of funds limit
(the amount of outstanding leverage allowed for two or more SBIC licenses under common
control) to $350 million from $225 million (e.g., see S. 552, the Small Business Investment
Company Capital Act of 2015, and its House companion bill, H.R. 1023). Others worry that an
expanded SBIC program could result in loses and increase the federal deficit. In their view, the
P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, increased the annual amount of leverage the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion and P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the amount of outstanding leverage allowed for two or more SBIC licenses under common control (the multiple licenses/family of funds limit) to $350 million from $225 million. Others worry that an expanded SBIC program could result in losses and increase the federal deficit. In their view, the best means to assist small business, promote economic growth, and create jobs is to reduce
business taxes and exercise federal fiscal restraint.
Some Members have also proposed that the program target additional assistance to startup and
early stage small businesses, which are generally viewed as relatively risky investments but also
as having a relatively high potential for job creation.
For example, during the 113th Congress,
H.R. 30, the Small Business Investment Enhancement and Tax Relief Act, and S. 1285, the Small
Business Innovation Act of 2013, would have authorized the Administration to establish a
separate SBIC program for early stage small businesses. Also, as part of the Obama
Administration’s Startup America InitiativeIn addition, the SBA established a five-year, $1 billion early
stage debenture SBIC initiative in 2012. Early stage debenture SBICs are required to invest at
least 50% of their investments in early stage small businesses, defined as small businesses that
have never achieved positive cash flow from operations in any fiscal year.
This report describes the SBIC program
’s structure and operations and examines legislative
proposals to expand the program by increasing the leverage available to SBICs.
Congressional Research Service
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Contents
SBIC Program Overview ................................................................................................................. 1
SBIC Types ...................................................................................................................................... 2
SBIC Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................................ 3
SBIC Application Process................................................................................................................ 4
SBIC Capital Investment Requirements .......................................................................................... 6
Debenture SBICs ....................................................................................................................... 6
Participating Securities SBICs................................................................................................... 6
Impact Investment Debenture SBICs ........................................................................................ 8
Early Stage Debenture SBICs.................................................................................................... 9
Key Features of Regular SBIC Types ............................................................................................ 10
SBIC Investments in Small Businesses ......................................................................................... 12
Leverage ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Leverage Drawdown ............................................................................................................... 14
Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements................................................................................ 15
Participating Securities SBIC Leverage Requirements ........................................................... 17
Impact Investment Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements ................................................. 18
Early Stage Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements ............................................................ 19
Reporting Requirements ................................................................................................................ 20
SBIC Program Statistics ................................................................................................................ 20
Total Financing ........................................................................................................................ 21
Financing to Specific Demographic Groups ........................................................................... 23
Financing by State ................................................................................................................... 25
Financing by Industry .............................................................................................................. 27
Legislative Activity ........................................................................................................................ 28
Legislation to Target Additional Assistance to Startup and Early Stage Small
Businesses ............................................................................................................................ 29
Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 30
Legislation to Increase SBIC Financing Levels ...................................................................... 31
Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 33
Concluding Observations............................................................................................................... 34
Tables
Table 1. Key Features of the SBA’s Debenture, Participating Securities, Impact
Investment Debenture, and Early Stage Debenture SBICs ......................................................... 11
Table 2. Number of Licensed SBICs by Type, FY2008-FY2015 .................................................. 21
Table 3. SBIC Investments, FY2005-FY2015 ............................................................................... 23
Table 4. SBIC Financing, Minority-Owned Small Businesses, FY2014 ....................................... 24
Table 5. SBIC Financing by State, FY2014 ................................................................................... 26
Table 6. SBIC Financing by Industry FY2014 .............................................................................. 28
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Appendixes
Appendix. Small Business Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ............................. 37
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 40
Congressional Research Service
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
SBIC Program Overview
's structure and operations, focusing on SBIC eligibility requirements, investment activity, and program statistics. It also includes information concerning the SBIC program's debenture SBIC program, participating securities SBIC program, $1 billion impact investment SBIC debenture program (targeting underserved markets and communities facing barriers to access to credit and capital), and $1 billion early stage debenture SBIC initiative (targeting early stage small businesses).
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
SBIC Program Overview
The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several programs to support small
businesses, including loan guaranty programs to enhance small business access to capital;
programs to increase small business opportunities in federal contracting; direct loans for
businesses, homeowners, and renters to assist their recovery from natural disasters; and access to
entrepreneurial education to assist with business formation and expansion.
11 It also administers the
Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program.
Authorized by P.L. 85-699, the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, the SBIC
program is designed to
“"improve and stimulate the national economy in general and the
smallbusinesssmall-business segment thereof in particular
”" by stimulating and supplementing
“"the flow of private
equity capital and long-term loan funds which small-business concerns need for the sound
financing of their business operations and for their growth, expansion, and modernization, and
which are not available in adequate supply.
”2
"2
The SBIC program was created to address concerns raised in a Federal Reserve Board report to
Congress that identified a gap in the capital markets for long-term funding for growth-oriented
small businesses. The report noted that the SBA
’'s loan programs were
“"limited to providing
shorttermshort-term and intermediate-term credit when such loans are unavailable from private institutions
”" and
that the SBA
“"did not provide equity financing.
”3"3 Equity financing (or equity capital) is money
raised by a company in exchange for a share of ownership in the business. Ownership is
represented by owning shares of stock outright or having the right to convert other financial
instruments into stock. Equity financing allows a business to obtain funds without incurring debt,
or without having to repay a specific amount of money at a particular time. The Federal Reserve
Board’ Board's report concluded there was a need for a federal government program to
“"stimulate the
availability of capital funds to small business
”" to assist these businesses in gaining access to
longtermlong-term financing and equity financing.
44 Facilitating the flow of capital to small businesses to
stimulate the national economy was, and remains, the SBIC program
’'s primary objective.
The SBA does not make direct investments in small businesses. It partners with privately owned
and managed SBICs licensed by the SBA to provide financing to small businesses with private
capital the SBIC has raised (called regulatory capital) and with funds (called leverage) the SBIC
borrows at favorable rates because the SBA guarantees the debenture (loan obligation). As of
March December 31, 2015, there were
296 licensed SBICs participating in the SBIC program.5
1
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), “Fiscal Year 2016 Congressional Budget Justification and FY2014
Annual Performance Report,” pp. 3, 4, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/1FY%202016%20CBJ%20FY%202014%20APR.PDF.
2
15 U.S.C. §661.
3
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Banking and Currency, Small Business Investment Act of 1958, report to
accompany S.3651, 85th Cong., 2nd sess., June 30, 1958, H.Rept. 85-2060 (Washington: GPO, 1958), pp. 4, 5.
4
Ibid., p. 5.
5
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
300 licensed SBICs participating in the SBIC program.5 In FY2015, the SBA provided $2.55 billion in leverage to SBICs.6
In recent years, some Members of Congress and the Obama Administration have argued that the program should be expanded as a means to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. For example, P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, increased the annual amount of leverage
the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion. In FY2014, the SBA
provided $2.55 billion in leverage to SBICs.6
Some Members of Congress, the Obama Administration, and small business advocates have
argued that the SBIC program should be expanded still further as a means to stimulate economic
activity, create jobs, and assist in the national economic recovery. For example, several bills have
been introduced in recent Congresses to increase the SBIC program’s family of funds limit (the
amount of outstanding leverage allowed for two or more SBIC licenses under common control) to
$350 million from $225 million, including H.R. 3219, the Small Business Investment Company
Modernization Act of 2011 (112th), H.R. 6504, the Small Business Investment Company
Modernization Act of 2012 (112th), S. 511, the Expanding Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial
Leaders Act (EXCEL Act) (113th), S. 1285, the Small Business Innovation Act of 2013 (113th), S.
552, the Small Business Investment Company Capital Act of 2015, and its House companion bill,
H.R. 1023 (114th).7 Others worry about the potential risk that an expanded SBIC program would
the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion and P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the amount of outstanding leverage allowed for two or more SBIC licenses under common control (the multiple licenses/family of funds limit) to $350 million from $225 million.7
Others worry that an expanded SBIC program could result in losses and increase the federal deficit. In their view, the best means to assist small business, promote
economic growth, and create jobs is to reduce business taxes and exercise federal fiscal restraint.
Some Members and small business advocates have also proposed that the program target
additional assistance to startup and early stage small businesses, which are generally viewed as
relatively risky investments but also as having a relatively high potential for job creation. For
example, during the
113th113th Congress, S. 1285 and H.R. 30, the Small Business Investment
Enhancement and Tax Relief Act, would have authorized the Administration to establish a
separate SBIC program for early stage small businesses, defined as a small business concern that
has not generated gross annual sales exceeding $15 million in any of the previous three years.
Also In addition, as part of the Obama Administration
’'s Startup America Initiative, the SBA established a
five-year, $1 billion early stage debenture SBIC initiative in 2012. Early stage debenture SBICs
are required to allocate at least 50% of their investments in early stage small businesses, defined
as small businesses that have never achieved positive cash flow from operations in any fiscal
year.
This report examines the structure and operation of the SBIC program, focusing on SBIC
eligibility requirements, investment activity, and program statistics. It includes information
concerning the SBIC program
’'s debenture SBIC program, participating securities SBIC program,
$1 billion early stage debenture SBIC initiative (targeting early stage small businesses), and $1
billion impact investment SBIC initiative (targeting underserved markets and communities facing
barriers to access to credit and capital).
SBIC Types
$1 billion impact investment SBIC debenture program (targeting underserved markets and communities facing barriers to access to credit and capital), and $1 billion early stage debenture SBIC initiative (targeting early stage small businesses).
SBIC Types
There are two types of SBICs. Investment companies licensed under Section 301(c) of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, are referred to as
originaloriginal, or regular, SBICs.
Investment companies licensed under Section 301(d) of the act, called Specialized Small Business
Investment Companies (SSBICs), focus on providing financing to small business entrepreneurs
6
Ibid.
S. 552, the Small Business Investment Company Capital Act of 2015, was reported favorably by the Senate
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on April 23, 2015.
7
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
“ "whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic
disadvantage.
”8"8 Section 301(d) was repealed by P.L. 104-208, the Omnibus Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 1997 (Title II of Division D, the Small Business Programs Improvement Act
of 1996). As a result, no new SSBIC licenses have been issued since October 1, 1996. However,
existing SSBICs were
“grandfathered”"grandfathered" and remain in operation.
With few exceptions, SBICs and SSBICs are subject to the same eligibility requirements and
operating rules and regulations. Therefore, the term SBIC is usually used to refer to both SBICs
and SSBICs.
Five types of regular SBICs exist.
DebentureDebenture SBICs, impact investment debenture SBICs, and
early stage debenture SBICs receive leverage through the issuance of debentures.
99 Debentures
are debt obligations issued by SBICs and held or guaranteed by the SBA.
10 Participating
securities10 Participating securities SBICs receive leverage through the issuance of participating securities. Participating
securities are redeemable, preferred, equity-type securities, often in the form of limited
partnership interests, preferred stock, or debentures with interest payable only to the extent of
earnings.
11 Bank-owned,11 Bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs do not receive leverage.
1212 This report focuses on
the four types of regular SBICs that receive leverage from the SBA.
SBIC Eligibility Requirements
A SBIC can be organized in any state as either a corporation, a limited partnership (LP), or a
limited liability company (LLCs must be organized under Delaware law). Most SBICs are owned
by relatively small groups of local investors, although many are partially owned, and some (
44 of
29643 of 300) are wholly owned, by commercial banks. A few SBICs are corporations with publicly traded
stock.
13
13
One of the primary criteria for licensure as a SBIC is having qualified management. The SBA
reviews and approves a prospective SBIC
’'s management team based upon its professional
capabilities and character. Specifically, the SBA examines the SBIC
’'s management team and
looks for
•
at least two principals with substantive and analogous principal investment
experience;
8
P.L. 92-595, the Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1972.
A debenture SBIC may issue and have outstanding both guaranteed debentures and participating securities, provided
that the total amount of participating securities outstanding does not exceed 200% of its private capital. See 13 C.F.R.
§107.1170. The SBA stopped issuing new commitments for participating securities on October 1, 2004.
10
13 C.F.R. §107.50.
11
Ibid.
12
Commercial banks may invest up to 5% of their capital and surplus to partially or wholly own a SBIC. Bank
investments in a SBIC are presumed by federal regulatory agencies to be a “qualified investment” for Community
Reinvestment Act purposes. See P.L. 90-104, the Small Business Act Amendments of 1967; The Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve Board, “Small Business Investment Companies,” 33 Federal Register 6967, May 9, 1968; and
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs),” Small Business Notes, 2009, at
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/business-finances/small-business-investment-companies-sbics.html.
13
SBA, “For SBIC Applicants: Phase III: Licensing Review,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/phase-iii-licensingreview.
9
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•
experience;
realized track record of superior returns, based on an overall evaluation of
appropriate quantitative performance measures;
•
evidence of a strong rate of business proposals and investment offers (deal flow)
in the investment area proposed for the new fund;
•
a cohesive management team, with complementary skills and a history of
working together;
•
managerial, operational, or technical experience that can add value at the
portfolio company level; and
•
a demonstrated ability to manage cash flows so as to provide assurance the SBA
will be repaid on a timely basis.
14
14SBIC Application Process
Applying for a SBIC debenture license is a multi-step process, beginning with the submission of
the SBA Management Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ). The questionnaire includes, among
others, questions concerning
•
the fund
’'s legal name and the name and addresses of its principals and control
persons;
15
•
15
the fund
’'s investment strategy (including geographic focus, industry focus,
diversification strategy, primary types of securities to be used, whether it plans to
be primarily an equity or debt investor, etc.);
•
the management team
’'s history and professional experience;
•
the fund
’'s investment decision-making process, from deal origination to portfolio
monitoring;
•
the fund
’'s economics (including a description of the fund
’'s carried interest,
1616 the
formula used to calculate management fees and the fund
’'s policy on the
allocation of fees between the fund and any management or other affiliated
entities, details concerning compensation the principals earn outside of this
partnership, etc.);
•
the fund
’'s capitalization (including investment strategy, whether a placement
agent has been or will be hired, information concerning any third-party
borrowing arrangements, etc.);
14
SBA, “For SBIC Applicants: Phase I, Initial Review,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/phase-i-initial-review.
A control person is generally defined as someone with the power to direct corporate management and policies.
16
General partners in most private equity and hedge funds are compensated in two ways. First, to the extent that they
contribute their capital in the funds, they share in the appreciation of the assets. Second, they charge the limited
partners two kinds of annual fees: a percentage of total fund assets (usually in the 1% to 2% range) and a percentage of
the fund’s earnings (usually 15% to 25%, once specified benchmarks are met). The latter performance fee is called
“carried interest” and is treated, or characterized, as capital gains under current tax rules. See CRS Report RS22717,
Taxation of Private Equity and Hedge Fund Partnerships: Characterization of Carried Interest, by Donald J. Marples.
15
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
•
the fund’ borrowing arrangements, etc.);
the fund's governance structure (including an organizational chart); and
•
a 10-year financial forecast for the fund.
17
17After receiving the firm
’'s application, a member of the SBA
’'s Program Development Office
reviews the MAQ; assesses the investment company
’'s proposal in light of the program
’s
's minimum requirements and management qualifications; performs initial due diligence, including
making reference telephone calls; and prepares a written recommendation to the SBA
’s
's Investment Division
’'s Investment Committee (composed of senior members of the division).
If, after reviewing the MAQ and the SBA
’'s Program Development Office
’'s evaluation, the
Investment Committee concludes, by majority vote at a regularly scheduled meeting, that the
investment company
’'s management team may be qualified for a license, that management team is
invited to the SBA
’'s headquarters in Washington, DC, for an interview. If, following the
interview, the Investment Committee votes to proceed, the investment company is provided a
“ "Green Light
”" letter formally inviting it to file a license application along with a base filing fee of
$10,000, plus an additional $5,000 for partnerships or LLC SBICs ($15,000 total). If the license is
approved, all SBIC principals must complete the SBA
’'s SBIC Regulations training classes.
Obtaining a SBIC license for the first time usually takes 7 months to
1011 months from the time of
the initial submission of the MAQ to issuance of the license.
18
18
As will be discussed, new applications for the participating securities program are no longer
being accepted. Impact investment debenture SBIC applicants are required to submit the same
documents, follow the same process, and meet the same standards as applicants seeking a
debenture SBIC license. However, impact investment debenture SBICs are provided an expedited
review process.
19
19
The application process for an early stage debenture SBIC license is similar to the application
process for a SBIC debenture license with two major differences: the SBA only accepts
applications to the early stage innovation program during specific time periods published
“from
"from time to time
”" in the Federal Register (currently done annually) and places
“"particular emphasis
on managers
’' skills and experience in evaluating and investing in early stage companies.
”20"20 Also,
early stage debenture SBIC applicants must pay a partnership licensee fee plus an additional
$10,000, for a total application fee of $25,000.
21
21
The eligibility requirements and application process for small businesses requesting financial
assistance from a SBIC is provided in the Appendix.
17
SBA, “SBIC Management Assessment Questionnaire and License Application: Form 2181,” at https://www.sba.gov/
content/application-forms.
18
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
19
SBA “Expedited Licensing for Impact SBICs Applying for an Impact SBIC License,” at https://www.sba.gov/
content/expedited-licensing-impact-sbics.
20
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 77 Federal Register 25052, April 27, 2012.
21
Ibid.
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SBIC Capital Investment Requirements
Debenture SBICs
assistance from a SBIC is provided in the Appendix.
SBIC Capital Investment Requirements
Debenture SBICs
P.L. 85-699 authorized the SBA to select companies to participate in the SBIC program and to
purchase debentures from those companies to provide additional funds to invest in small
businesses. Initially, debenture SBICs were required to have a private capital investment of at
least $300,000 to participate in the SBIC program.
Debenture SBICs are now required to have a private capital investment of at least $5 million
(called regulatory capital).
2222 The SBA has discretion to license an applicant with regulatory
capital of $3 million if the applicant has satisfied all licensing standards and requirements, has a
viable business plan reasonably projecting profitable operations, and has a reasonable timetable
for achieving regulatory capital of at least $5 million.
2323 At least 30% of a debenture SBIC
’s
's regulatory and leverageable capital must come from three people unaffiliated with the fund
’s
's management and unaffiliated with each other.
2424 Also, no more than 33% of a SBIC
’'s regulatory
capital may come from state or local government entities.
25
25
Participating Securities SBICs
P.L. 102-366, the Small Business Credit and Business Opportunity Enhancement Act of 1992
(Title IV, the Small Business Equity Enhancement Act of 1992), authorized the SBA to guarantee
participating securities. Participating securities are redeemable, preferred, equity-type securities
issued by SBICs in the form of limited partnership interests, preferred stock, or debentures with
interest payable only to the extent of earnings.
In 1994, the SBA established the SBIC Participating Securities Program (SBIC PSP) to
encourage the formation of participating securities SBICs that would make equity investments in
startup and early stage small businesses. The SBA created the program to fill a perceived
investment gap created by the SBIC debenture program
’'s focus on mid- and later-stage small
businesses. The SBA stopped issuing new commitments for participation securities on October 1,
2004, beginning a process to end the program, which continues.
26
26
The SBA stopped issuing new commitments for participating securities primarily because the
program experienced a projected loss of $2.7 billion during the early 2000s as investments in
technology startup and early stage small businesses lost much of their stock value at that time.
The SBA found that
“"the fees payable by SBICs for participating securities leverage are not
22
13 C.F.R. §107.210.
Ibid.
24
13 C.F.R. §107.150.
25
13 C.F.R. §107.230.
26
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Private Equity for Small Firms: The Importance of the
Participating Securities Program, 109th Cong., 1st sess., April 13, 2005, Serial No. 109-10 (Washington: GPO, 2005),
pp. 5, 33; and SBA, “SBIC Program: FAQs 7. What is the status of the Participating Securities Program?” at
https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
23
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
sufficient to cover the projected net losses in the participating securities program.
”27"27 The SBA
continued to honor its existing commitments to participating securities SBICs, which were
allowed to continue operations. However, these securities SBICs were required to comply with
special rules concerning minimum capital, liquidity, non-SBA borrowing, and equity investing.
28
28 In recent years, some Members have expressed interest in either revising the program or starting a
new program modeled on certain aspects of the SBIC PSP to assist startup and early stage small
businesses.
29
29
Although the SBA is no longer issuing new commitments for participating securities, and each
year several participating securities SBICs leave the program because their leverage
commitments are retired
, as of March. As of December 31, 2015, there were still
5044 participating securities SBICs
in the SBIC program.
3030 To be part of the SBIC program, a participating securities SBIC must have
regulatory capital of at least $10 million. The SBA has discretion to require less than $10 million
in regulatory capital if the licensee can demonstrate that it can be financially viable over the long
term with a lower amount. In this circumstance, the regulatory amount required may not be lower
than $5 million.
3131 At least 30% of a participating securities SBIC
’'s regulatory and leverageable
capital must come from three people unaffiliated with the fund
’'s management and unaffiliated
with each other.
3232 Also, no more than 33% of a SBIC
’'s regulatory capital can come from state or
local government entities.33
27
SBA, “Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS
2009-10 A,” February 19, 2009, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
28
13 C.F.R. §107.1500. A SBIC that wishes to be eligible to issue participating securities must have regulatory capital
of at least $10 million unless it can demonstrate to the SBA’s satisfaction that it can be financially viable over the longterm with a lower amount, but not less than $5 million. See 13 C.F.R. §107.210. It must also maintain sufficient
liquidity to avoid a condition of “Liquidity Impairment,” defined as a liquidity ratio (total current funds available
divided by total current funds required) of less than 1.2. See 13 C.F.R. §107.1505. The only type of debt, other than
leverage, than a SBIC that has applied to issue participating securities or have outstanding participating securities is
permitted to incur is temporary debt. Temporary debt is defined as short-term borrowings from a regulated financial
institution, a regulated credit company, or a non-regulated lender approved by the SBA for the purpose of maintaining
the SBIC’s operating liquidity or providing funds for a particular financing of a small business. The total outstanding
borrowings, not including leverage, may not exceed 50% of a SBIC’s leveraged capital, and all such borrowings must
be fully paid off for at least 30 consecutive days during a SBIC’s fiscal year so that it has no outstanding third-party
debt for 30 days. See 13 C.F.R. §107.570. A SBIC issuing participating securities is required to invest an amount equal
to the original issue price of such securities solely in equity capital investments (e.g., common or preferred stock,
limited partnership interests, options, warrants, or similar equity instruments). See 13 C.F.R. §107.1505.
29
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee Markup of Legislation Affecting the SBA Capital
Access Programs, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 8, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-050 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 7, 10, 11,
187-194; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Increasing Capital for
Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 1, 2, 40,
98; and U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009,
report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009),
pp. 3, 4, 10-12.
30
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf. There were 149 participating securities SBICs at the end of FY2008, 127
at the end of FY2009, 107 at the end of FY2010, 97 at the end of FY2011, 86 at the end of FY2012, 63 at the end of
FY2013, and 53 at the end of FY2014.
31
13 C.F.R. §107.210.
32
13 C.F.R. §107.150.
33
13 C.F.R. §107.230.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
local government entities.33
Impact Investment Debenture SBICs
On April 7, 2011, the SBA announced it was establishing a $1 billion impact investment SBIC
initiative (up to $150 million in leverage in FY2012 and up to $200 million in leverage per fiscal
year thereafter until the limit is reached). Under this initiative, SBA-licensed impact investment
debenture SBICs are required to invest at least 50% of their financings,
“"which target areas of
critical national priority including underserved markets and communities facing barriers to access
to credit and capital.
”34"34 These areas initially included businesses located in underserved
communities (as defined by the SBA), the education sector, and the clean energy sector.
3535 Impact
investment debenture SBICs are required to have a minimum private capital investment of at least
$5 million and are subject to the same conditions as debenture SBICs concerning the source of
the funds.
Initially, an impact investment SBIC could receive up to $80 million in SBA leverage. On June 6,
2013, the SBA announced that it was increasing the maximum leverage available to impact
investment SBICs to $150 million.
36
As of December 31, 2014, six impact investment SBICs were licensed (one36
There are currently seven licensed, impact investment SBICs (two in 2011, one in 2012,
and four two in 2014
), and three of them had started to invest capital to small businesses.37 The three
active impact investment SBICs, and two in 2015).37 They managed more than $
190487 million in assets and had investments
in 33 in 38 small businesses at the end of calendar year
2014.38
2015.38
On September 25, 2014, the SBA announced several changes to the impact investment program
designed to
“"broaden access to the fund.
”39"39 The agency announced that it will continue the
initiative beyond FY2016 and, in recognition of its now anticipated permanent status, renamed
the initiative the Impact Investment Fund. Also, effective October 1, 2014, among other changes,
the SBA eliminated the program
’'s $200 million collective, per-fiscal-year leverage cap; added
advanced manufacturing to the list of eligible sectors; provided eligibility to businesses that
receive Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grants; and
permitted, through December 1, 2014, existing debenture SBICs to apply to opt-into the program
if they meet the program
’'s requirements.
4040 Also, subject to the SBA
’s approval, impact investment
34
SBA, “Impact Investment Initiative,” at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/
Impact_Investment_Call_for_Action.pdf; and SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, “Correspondence
with the author,” July 31, 2014.
35
The SBA defines underserved communities as low or moderate income (LMI) enterprises located in LMI Zones, as
defined in 13 C.F.R. 107.50; qualified low-income community investments (QLICIs) located in low-income
communities (LICs), as defined by the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program in 26 C.F.R. 1.45D-1(d)1; rural
business concerns located in rural areas as defined in 7 C.F.R. 4290.502; and, small business concerns located in
economically distressed areas (EDAs), as defined by Section 3013 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act (PWEDA) of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3161.
36
SBA, “SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70 Million Bump in its
Impact Investment Fund,” June 6, 2013, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-50-million-increase-match-itssbic-early-stage-fund-and-70-million-bump-its.
37
SBA, “Impact Investment Fund Grows Threefold,” January 27, 2015, at https://www.sba.gov/content/impactinvestment-fund-grows-threefold.
38
Ibid.; and SBA Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, “Correspondence with the author,” October 20,
2014.
39
SBA, “SBA Expands Impact Investment Fund,” September 25, 2014, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-expandsimpact-investment-fund.
40
Ibid.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
's approval, impact investment SBICs may devise a customized definition of an
“"impact investment
”" during the licensing
process.
Early Stage Debenture SBICs
On April 27, 2012, the SBA published a final rule in the Federal Register establishing a $1 billion
early stage debenture SBIC initiative (up to $150 million in leverage in FY2012 and up to $200
million in leverage per fiscal year thereafter until the limit is reached).
4141 Early stage debenture
SBICs are required to invest at least 50% of their financings in early stage small businesses,
defined as small businesses that have never achieved positive cash flow from operations in any
fiscal year.
42
42
In recognition of the higher risk associated with investments in early stage small businesses, the
initiative includes
“"several new regulatory provisions intended to reduce the risk that an early
stage SBIC would default on its leverage and to improve SBA
’'s recovery prospects should a
default occur.
”43"43 For example, early stage debenture SBICs must raise more regulatory capital (at
least $20 million) than debenture SBICs, impact investment debenture SBICs (at least $5
million), and participating securities SBICs (at least $10 million). They are also subject to special
distribution rules to require pro rata repayment of SBA leverage when making distributions of
profits to their investors. In addition, as will be discussed, early stage debenture SBICs are
provided less leverage (up to 100% of regulatory capital, $50 million maximum) than debenture
SBICs and participating securities SBICs (up to 200% of regulatory capital, $150 million
maximum per SBIC and $
225350 million for two or more SBICs under common control) and impact
investment debenture SBICs (up to 200% of regulatory capital, $150 million maximum).
On May 1, 2012, the SBA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its first annual
call for venture capital fund managers to submit an application to become a licensed early stage
debenture SBIC. The deadline for completing the four-step application process for applicants with
signed commitments for at least $15 million in regulatory capital and evidence of their ability to
raise the remaining $5 million in regulatory capital was set as July 30, 2012. The deadline for all
other applicants was set as May 15, 2013.
44
44
Thirty-three venture capital funds submitted preliminary application materials to participate in the
program. After these materials were examined and interviews held, the SBA announced on
October 23, 2012, that it had issued Green Light letters to six funds,
formally inviting these funds
to file license applications.45
41
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 77 Federal Register 25043, 25050, April 27,
2012.
42
Ibid., pp. 25051-25053.
43
Ibid., p. 25043.
44
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 77 Federal Register 25775-25779, May 1,
2012. Applicants must complete first complete a Management Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ), then, if invited,
complete an interview process, then receive a Green Light letter from the SBA, and, finally, submit the SBIC license
application, consisting of SBA Form 2181 and SBA Form 2182.
45
SBA, “SBA’s Growth Capital Program Sets Record For Third Year in a Row $2.95 Billion in Financing for Small
Businesses in FY12,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbas-growth-capital-program-sets-record-third-year-row; and
SBA, “The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program: Annual Report FY2012,” p. 20, at
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/SBIC%20Program%20FY%202012%20Annual%20Report.pdf.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
The SBA’ to file license applications.45
The SBA's second, third,
fourth, and fifthand fourth annual calls for venture capital fund managers to submit an
application to become a licensed early stage debenture SBIC took place on December 18, 2012,
February 4, 2014,
and January 12, 2015
.46
To date, 58, and February 2, 2016, respectively.46
To date, 63 investment funds have applied to participate in the program and five funds have been
granted an early stage SBIC license.
4747 As of September 30,
20142015, the five early stage SBICs had
raised $
226.5246.8 million in private capital, received $
16.341.4 million in SBA-guaranteed leverage, had
$76.6 $69.5 million in outstanding commitments, and invested $
5694.4 million in
27 small businesses.48
The SBA has not made a determination concerning whether it will continue the early stage
debenture SBIC initiative past FY2016.46 small businesses.48
The SBA is currently exploring ways to enhance the Early Stage program and make it a permanent part of the SBIC program.49 On March 18, 2015, the SBA published an advanced
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register
“ "seeking input from the public to
determine whether existing market conditions warrant SBA continuing to license Early Stage
SBICs past fiscal year 2016 on an ongoing basis and, if so, what changes should be made to the
program to attract qualified early stage fund managers.
”49"50 Comments
arewere to be forwarded to the
SBA by May 18, 2015.
Key Features of Regular SBIC Types
Table 1 provides five key features distinguishing the SBA
’'s debenture SBICs, participating
securities SBICs, impact investment debenture SBICs, and early stage debenture SBICs:
•
the minimum amount of capital required to obtain a license;
•
the amount of SBA leverage that can be received;
•
the nature of the investments provided;
•
a description of the requirements for repaying the SBA
’'s leverage; and
•
any profit participation requirements.
46
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 77 Federal Register 74908-74913, December
18, 2012; SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 79 Federal Register 6665, February 4,
2014; SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 79 Federal Register 18750, April 3, 2014;
and SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 80 Federal Register 1575-1579, January 12,
2015. The deadline to submit a MAQ for funds seeking a license in FY2015 is February 27, 2015, with anticipated
Green Light letters issued through May 7, 2015, and new licenses issued no later than September 30, 2015. All other
funds have 12 months from issuance of a Green Light letter to submit their license application.
47
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies‒Early Stage,” 80 Federal Register 14034, March 18, 2015.
48
SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, “Correspondence with the author,” October 20, 2014.
49
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies‒Early Stage,” 80 Federal Register 14034, March 18, 2015.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
any profit participation requirements.
Table 1. Key Features of the SBA
’'s Debenture, Participating Securities, Impact
Investment Debenture, and Early Stage Debenture SBICs
Program
Requirement
Debenture SBICs
Participating
Security SBICs (no
longer accepting
new investments)
Impact Investment
Debenture SBICs
Early Stage
Debenture SBICs
Private Capital
$5 million minimum
$10 million minimum
$5 million minimum
$20 million minimum
SBA Leverage
200% of private capital
up to $150 million per
SBIC or $225 million
for two or more
SBICs under common
controla
200% of private capital
up to $150 million per
SBIC or $225 million
for two or more
SBICs under common
control
200% of private capital
up to $150 million;
limited to 100% of
private capital during
any 12-month perioda
100% of private
capital up to $50
million
Investments
Broad range of equity
investments but
generally later stage
and mezzanine
Broad range of equity
investments
Broad range of equity
investments but
generally later stage
and mezzanine; at least
50% in underserved
markets and
communities facing
barriers to access to
credit and capital
Broad range of
equity investments;
at least 50% in early
stage small
businesses (no
positive cash flow in
any fiscal year prior
to first financing)
Leverage
Description
Interest and SBA
annual charge payable
semiannually through
maturity
SBA paid interest to
bond holders; SBICs
only owed and repaid
SBA out of profits
Interest and SBA
annual charge payable
semiannually through
maturity
Standard: 5 years
interest reserve
required, interest
and SBA annual
charge payable
quarterly through
maturity OR
Discounted: interest
and SBA annual
charge discounted
for first 5 years plus
the “stub” period;
interest and SBA
annual charge
payable quarterly
thereafter through
maturity
Profit
Participation
None
SBA typically received
about 8% of any
profits
None
None
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Investment and Innovation, “Early Stage Small
Business Investment Companies,” January 2012; U.S. Small Business Administration, “Correspondence with the
author,” May 2, 2012; and SBA, “SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70
Million Bump in its Impact Investment Fund,”
|
Program Requirement
|
Debenture SBICs
|
Participating Security SBICs (no longer accepting new investments)
|
Impact Investment Debenture SBICs
|
Early Stage Debenture SBICs
|
|
Private Capital
|
$5 million minimum
|
$10 million minimum
|
$5 million minimum
|
$20 million minimum
|
SBA Leverage
|
200% of private capital up to $150 million per SBIC or $350 million for two or more SBICs under common controla
200% of private capital up to $150 million per SBIC or $350 million for two or more SBICs under common control
|
200% of private capital up to $150 million; limited to 100% of private capital during any 12-month perioda
100% of private capital up to $50 million
|
|
Investments
|
Broad range of equity investments but generally later stage and mezzanine
|
Broad range of equity investments
|
Broad range of equity investments but generally later stage and mezzanine; at least 50% in underserved markets and communities facing barriers to access to credit and capital
|
Broad range of equity investments; at least 50% in early stage small businesses (no positive cash flow in any fiscal year prior to first financing)
|
|
Leverage Description
|
Interest and SBA annual charge payable semiannually through maturity
|
SBA paid interest to bond holders; SBICs only owed and repaid SBA out of profits
|
Interest and SBA annual charge payable semiannually through maturity
|
Standard: 5 years interest reserve required, interest and SBA annual charge payable quarterly through maturity OR
Discounted: interest and SBA annual charge discounted for first 5 years plus the "stub" period; interest and SBA annual charge payable quarterly thereafter through maturity
|
|
Profit Participation
|
None
|
SBA typically received about 8% of any profits
|
None
|
None
|
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Investment and Innovation, "Early Stage Small Business Investment Companies," January 2012; U.S. Small Business Administration, "Correspondence with the author," May 2, 2012; and U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70 Million Bump in its Impact Investment Fund," June 6, 2013, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-
50million50-million-increase-match-its-sbic-early-stage-fund-and-70-million-bump-its
.
a.
.
a.
A licensed debenture SBIC or a licensed impact investment SBIC in good standing, with a demonstrated
need for funds, may apply to the SBA for leverage of up to 300% of its private capital. However, the SBA
has traditionally approved a maximum of 200% of private capital. Also, a debenture SBIC licensed on or
after October 1, 2009, may elect to have a maximum leverage amount of $175 million per SBIC and $250
million for two or more licenses under common control if it has invested at least 50% of its financings in
low-income geographic areas and certifies that at least 50% of its future investments will be in low-income
geographic areas.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
SBIC Investments in Small Businesses
geographic areas. P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million from $225 million. The act did not address the multiple licenses/family of funds limit for financings in low-income geographic areas. Presumably, SBICs would apply the $350 million multiple licenses/family of funds limit for all of its financings, including those in low-income geographic areas.
SBIC Investments in Small Businesses
SBICs provide equity capital to small businesses in various ways, including by
•
purchasing small business equity securities (e.g., stock, stock options, warrants,
limited partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company,
or joint venture interests);
50
•
51
making loans to small businesses, either independently or in cooperation with
other private or public lenders, that have a maturity of no more than 20 years;
51
•
52
purchasing debt securities from small businesses, which may be convertible into,
or have rights to purchase, equity in the small business;
52 and
•
53 and
providing small businesses, subject to limitations, a guarantee of their monetary
obligations to creditors not associated with the SBIC.
53
54SBICs are subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions concerning the nature of their approved
investments. For example, SBICs are not allowed to
•
directly or indirectly provide financing to any of their associates (e.g., officers,
directors, and employees);
54
•
55
control, either directly or indirectly, any small business on a permanent basis;
55
•
56
invest, without SBA approval, more than specified percentages of their private
(regulatory) capital in securities, commitments, or guarantees in any one small
business (e.g., SBICs are not allowed to invest more than 30% of their private
capital in any one small business if their investment plan includes two or more
tiers of SBA leverage);56
50
13 C.F.R. §107.800. A SBIC is not allowed to become a general partner in any unincorporated business or become
jointly or severally liable for any obligations of an unincorporated business.
51
13 C.F.R. §107.810; and 13 C.F.R. §107.840.
52
13 C.F.R. §107.815. Debt securities are instruments evidencing a loan with an option or any other right to acquire
equity securities in a small business or its affiliates, a loan that by its terms is convertible into an equity position, or a
loan with a right to receive royalties that are excluded from the cost of money.
53
13 C.F.R. §107.820.
54
13 C.F.R. §107.730.
55
13 C.F.R. §107.865. The period of time that a SBIC may exercise control over a small business for purposes
connected with its investment through ownership of voting securities, management agreements, voting trusts, majority
representation on the board of directors, or otherwise is “limited to the seventh anniversary of the date on which such
control was initially acquired, or any earlier date specified by the terms of any investment agreement.” With the SBA’s
prior written approval, a SBIC “may retain control for such additional period as may be reasonably necessary to
complete divestiture of control or to ensure the financial stability of the portfolio company.”
56
A tier of SBA leverage equals the amount of a SBIC’s private (regulatory) capital. A SBIC approved for less than
two tiers of SBA leverage must not invest more than 20% of its private capital in any one small business if the SBIC’s
plan contemplates one tier of leverage and no more than 25% of its private capital if its plan contemplates 1.5 tiers of
leverage. See 13 C.F.R. §107.740; and SBA, “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Implementation of
SBIC Program Changes,” letter from Harry Haskins, acting associate administrator for Investment, to All Small
Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and Applicants, May 4, 2009, p. 2.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
•
capital in any one small business if their investment plan includes two or more tiers of SBA leverage);57
invest in farmland, unimproved land, or any small business classified under
Major Group 65 (Real Estate) of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
Manual, with the exception of title abstract companies, real estate agents,
brokers, and managers;
57
•
58
provide funds for small businesses whose primary business activity involves
directly or indirectly providing funds to others, purchasing debt obligations,
factoring, or leasing equipment on a long-term basis with no provision for
maintenance or repair;
58 or
•
59 or
provide funds to a small business if the funds will be used substantially for a
foreign operation.
59
60The SBA also regulates the interest rates and fees SBICs are allowed to charge small businesses
on loans, debt securities, and equity financing.
60
61
In 1999, the SBA introduced the low and moderate income investments (LMI) initiative to
encourage SBICs to invest in small businesses located in inner cities and rural areas
“"that have
severe shortages of equity capital
”" because investments in those areas
“"often are of a type that
will not have the potential for yielding returns that are high enough to justify the use of
participating securities.
”61"62 This ongoing initiative provides incentives to SBICs that invest in
small businesses that have at least 50% of their employees or tangible assets located in a low-
tomoderateto-moderate income area (LMI Zone) or have at least 35% of their full-time employees with their
primary residence in an LMI Zone.
6263 For example, unlike regular SBIC debentures that typically
have a 10-year maturity, LMI debentures are available in two maturities, for 5 years and 10 years,
plus the stub period. The stub period is the time between the debenture
’'s issuance date and the
next March 1 or September 1. The stub period allows all LMI debentures to have common March
1 or September 1 maturity dates to simplify administration of the program.
57
13 C.F.R. §107.720.
Ibid.
59
Ibid. A SBIC may provide venture capital financing to disadvantaged concerns engaged in relending or reinvesting
activities (except agricultural credit companies and banking and savings and loan institutions not insured by a federal
agency). Without SBA approval, these financings, at the end of the fiscal year, may not exceed a SBIC’s regulatory
capital. A disadvantaged concern is defined as a small business that is at least 50% owned, controlled, and managed, on
a day-to-day basis, by a person or persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of
social or economic disadvantages.
60
The SBA has a general interest rate ceiling of 19% for a loan and 14% for a debt security, with provisions for a
higher interest rate under specified circumstances. See 13 C.F.R. §107.855. A SBIC is allowed to collect a
nonrefundable application fee of no more than 1% of the amount of financing requested from a small business to
review its financing application, a closing fee of no more than 2% of the amount of financing requested from a small
business concern for a loan, charged no earlier than the date of the first disbursement, and a closing fee of no more than
4% of the amount of financing requested from a small business concern for a debt security or equity security financing,
charged no earlier than the date of the first disbursement. A SBIC is also allowed to charge a small business for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, other than management expenses incurred to process the small business’s financing
application. See 13 C.F.R. §107.860.
61
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies,” 64 Federal Register 52645, September 30, 1999.
62
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies,” 64 Federal Register 52641-52646, September 30, 1999. LMI Zones
are areas located in a HUBZone; an Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community designated by the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; a Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise
Community as designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; an area of low income or moderate
income as recognized by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council; or a county with persistent poverty as
classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. See 13 C.F.R. §107.50.
58
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
1 or September 1 maturity dates to simplify administration of the program.
In addition, LMI debentures are issued at a discount so that the proceeds that a SBIC receives for
the sale of a debenture is reduced by (1) the debenture
’'s interest costs for the first five years, plus
the stub period; (2) the SBA
’'s annual fee for the debenture
’'s first five years, plus the stub period;
and (3) the SBA
’'s 2% leverage fee. As a result, these interest costs and fees are effectively
deferred, freeing SBICs from the requirement to make interest payments on LMI debentures or
pay the SBA
’'s annual fees on LMI debentures for the first five years of a debenture, plus the stub
period.
63
In FY201464
In FY2015, SBICs made
475513 investments in small businesses located in a LMI Zone, totaling
$1.03 billion—about 18.8 $988.4 million—about 15.7% of the total amount invested.
64
65
In 2007, P.L. 110-140, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, authorized the SBA to
issue Energy Saving Debentures for the purpose of making
“"Energy Saving Qualified
Investments,
”" defined in the act as an investment
“"in a small business concern that is primarily
engaged in researching, manufacturing, developing, or providing products, goods, or services that
reduce the use or consumption of non-renewable energy resources.
”65"66 Energy Saving Debentures
are structured as a discount debenture similar to LMI debentures. For example, there are no
interest payments or SBA annual charge for the first five years of the Energy Saving Debenture,
plus the stub period between the debenture
’'s issuance date and the next March 1 or September 1
payment date.
66
Leverage
Leverage Drawdown
67
Leverage
Leverage Drawdown
A SBIC applies to the SBA for financial assistance (leverage) to secure the
“SBA’"SBA's conditional
commitment to reserve a specific amount of leverage
”" for the SBIC
’'s future use.
6768 If the
application is approved, a SBIC draws down the leverage as it makes financial commitments.
The SBA accepts draw applications from SBICs twice a month. When the SBA approves the
draw, it issues a payment voucher to a SBIC (called an approval notice). The payment voucher
has a term of approximately 60 days and provides a SBIC with the ability to draw funds on a
daily basis.
A debenture is executed in conjunction with each draw and held by an agent of a bank selected by
the SBA (Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago), which provides interim funding to the SBIC
until a
“SBIC’"SBIC's debenture(s) can be pooled with others and sold to the public, a process that
63
SBA, “For SBICs: Background Information on Low or Moderate Income (LMI) Debentures,” at
https://www.sba.gov/content/low-or-moderate-income-lmi-debentures.
64
SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September
2014.”
65
P.L. 110-140, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Sec. 1205. Energy Saving Debentures.
66
SBA, “Energy Saving Debentures: FAQs,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/energy-savings-debentures-faqs.
67
13 C.F.R. §107.1100.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
occurs every six months [each March and September].
”68"69 During the interim period, the bank
charges a SBIC the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a 30 basis point premium.
69
70
The SBA determines the size of the debenture pool two weeks prior to each scheduled pooling
date. All of
“"the debentures scheduled to be pooled are purchased and pooled together by an
entity called the Investment Trust which is managed by the Bank of New York Mellon,
”" and, as
the pooling occurs,
“"the SBA signs an agreement with the Trust to guarantee all the interest and
principal payments due on each of the debentures in the pool.
”70"71 The trust then securitizes the
pool of debentures and issues new securities called trust certificates. Underwriters are hired to sell
the trust certificates to investors in the public market. An offering circular is issued to notify
investors of the trust certificates
’' availability, the terms of the securities, and information
concerning how they can be purchased.
71
72
The SBA operates the SBIC program on a zero-subsidy basis. To recoup its expenses should
defaults occur, the SBA is authorized to charge SBICs a 3% origination fee for each debenture
and for each participating security issued (1% at commitment and 2% at draw), an annual fee (not
to exceed 1.38% for debentures and 1.46% for participating securities) on the leverage drawn,
which is fixed at the time of the leverage commitment, and other administrative and underwriting
fees that are adjusted annually.
72
73
Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements
A licensed debenture SBIC in good standing with a demonstrated need for funds may apply to the
SBA for financial assistance (leverage) of up to 300% of its private capital. However, the SBA
has traditionally approved debenture SBICs for a maximum of 200% of their private capital, and
no fund management team may exceed the allowable maximum amount of leverage of $150
million per SBIC and $
225350 million for two or more licenses under common control.
7374 A SBIC
licensed on or after October 1, 2009, may elect to have a maximum leverage amount of $175
million per SBIC
and $250 million for two or more licenses under common control if it has
if it has invested at least 50% of its financings in low-income geographic areas and certifies that at least
50% of its future investments will be in low-income geographic areas.74
68
SBA, “Funding the SBIC Program: An Overview,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/funding-sbic-program-overview.
The SBA is required by statute to issue guarantees “at periodic intervals of not less than every 12 months and shall do
so at such shorter intervals as it deems appropriate, taking into consideration the amount and number of such
guarantees or trust certificates.” See 15 U.S.C. §687m.
69
SBA, “Funding the SBIC Program: An Overview,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/funding-sbic-program-overview.
70
Ibid.
71
To view recent SBIC debenture offering circulars see SBA, “SBIC Debentures Offering Circulars,” at
https://www.sba.gov/category/lender-navigation/sba-loan-programs/sbic-program/program-data-performance/
information-tru-1.
72
13 C.F.R. §107.1130; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1210. The annual fee for debentures at the time of the leverage
commitment in FY2015 is 0.742%. It was 0.355% in FY2014. The participating securities program is no longer issuing
new leverage commitments. See SBA, “SBIC Program: Annual Charge,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/annualcharge.
73
13 C.F.R. §107.1120; 13 C.F.R. §107.1150; and SBA, “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:
Implementation of SBIC Program Changes,” letter from Harry Haskins, Acting Associate Administrator for
Investment, to All Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and Applicants, May 4, 2009, p. 1.
74
13 C.F.R. §107.1150. According to 13 C.F.R. §108.50, a low-income area is
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
50% of its future investments will be in low-income geographic areas.75
Debenture SBICs obtain leverage from the sale of SBA-guaranteed debenture participation trust
certificates. SBA-guaranteed debenture participation trust certificates may have a term of up to 15
years, although only one outstanding SBA-guaranteed debenture participation trust certificate has
a term exceeding 10 years and all recent public offerings have specified a term of 10 years.
75
76 Debenture SBICs are required to make semiannual payments on the interest due on the debenture,
semiannual payments on the SBA
’'s annual charge, and a lump sum principal payment to investors
at maturity.
7677 SBICs are allowed to prepay SBA-guaranteed debentures without penalty. However,
a SBA-guaranteed debenture must be prepaid in whole and not in part and can only be prepaid on
a semiannual payment date. The debenture
’'s coupon (interest) rate is determined by market
conditions and the interest rate of 10-year Treasury securities at the time of the sale.
7778 Also, as
mentioned previously, LMI debentures are available in two maturities, for 5 years and 10 years
(plus the stub period).
Because the SBA guarantees the debenture, investors are more likely to purchase a debenture
participation trust certificate as opposed to others available on the market. They are also more
likely to accept a lower coupon (interest) rate than what would be expected without the SBA
’s
guarantee.78's guarantee.79 As a result, the SBIC program enhances a SBIC
’'s access to venture capital and
reduces its cost of raising additional financial resources.
Because debenture SBICs are required to make semiannual interest payments on the debenture
and semiannual payments on the SBA
’'s annual charge, they tend to focus their investments on
mid- and later-stage small businesses that have a positive cash flow. Businesses with a positive
cash flow have resources available to make payments to the debenture SBIC, either in the form of
interest payments or dividends. In many instances, small businesses with positive cash flow are
seeking capital for expansion.79
(...continued)
(1) any population census tract that has a poverty rate that is not less than 20% or (a) if located
within a metropolitan area, 50% or more of the households in that census tract have an income
equal to less than 60% of the area median gross income; or (b) if not located within a metropolitan
area, the median household income in that census tract does not exceed 80% of the statewide
median household income; or (c) has been determined by the SBA Administrator to contain a
substantial population of low-income individuals in residence, an inadequate access to investment
capital, or other indications of economic distress; or (2) any area located within (i) a Historically
Underutilized Business Zone; (ii) an Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community
(as designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development); or (iii) a Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise Community (as designated
by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture).
75
One debenture has a term of 10 years and 29 weeks. See SBA, “SBIC 2014-10 B, CUSIP 831641 FB6: Offering
Circular,” September 16, 2014, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-2014-10-b-cusip-831641-fb6.
76
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs),” Small Business Notes, 2009, at
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/business-finances/small-business-investment-companies-sbics.html; and SBA,
“For SBIC Applicants: Financing Options Explained,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/financing-options-explained.
77
13 C.F.R. §107.50; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1150.
78
The coupon (interest) rate on SBA debentures is based on the 10-year Treasury rate (adjusted to the nearest 1/8th of
1%) plus a market-driven spread, currently about 70-90 basis points. See 13 C.F.R. §107.50; and SBA, “Trust
Certificate Rates: SBIC Debenture Pools,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/trust-certificate-rates-sbic-debenture-pools.
The coupon rate for the most recent sale of a SBA debenture certificate, which took place on September 16, 2014, was
3.015%.
79
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report
to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 11;
and SBA, “SBIC Program: FAQs: 8. What investment styles and fund types fit best with the SBIC Program?” at
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
seeking capital for expansion.80
Participating Securities SBIC Leverage Requirements
Although the SBA is no longer issuing new commitments for participating securities, the SBA is
authorized to accept an application from a licensed participating securities SBIC for leverage of
up to 200% of its private capital.
8081 Also, no fund management team may exceed the allowable
maximum amount of leverage of $150 million per SBIC and $
225350 million for two or more
licenses under common control.
Participating securities SBICs obtained leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed participating
securities. The SBA pooled these participating securities and sold SBA-guaranteed participating
securities certificates, representing an undivided interest in the pool, to investors through periodic
public offerings. SBA participating securities may have a term of up to 15 years, but all recent
public offerings had a specified a term of 10 years.
There were 35 public offerings of SBA-guaranteed participating securities certificates since the
start of the participating securities program, amounting to just under $10.3 billion. The final
SBA-guaranteed participating securities certificate, for $332 million, had a term of 10 years and
was offered to investors on February 19, 2009, with delivery of the certificates on February 25,
2009.
81
82
SBIC participating securities certificates provide for quarterly payments to investors from
dividends on preferred stock, interest on an income bond, or a priority return on a preferred
limited partnership equal to a specified interest rate on the principal amount and a lump sum
principal payment at maturity. A participating securities SBIC is obligated to make these quarterly
payments
“"only to the extent it has sufficient profits available to make such payments.
”82"83 If a
participating securities SBIC is unable to make any required payment, the SBA will make the
payment on its behalf. Because startup and early stage small businesses often are not initially
profitable, the SBA included language in its participating securities
’' offering circulars that it
“ "anticipates that it will be called upon routinely to make such … payments for the SBICs in the
early years of the lives of such SBICs
”" and that it
“"expects to be reimbursed [by the SBIC] any
amounts paid … under its guarantee over the life of a participating security.
”83
"84
Because the SBA guaranteed the certificate, investors were more likely to purchase a SBIC
participating securities certificate as opposed to others available on the market. They were also
more likely to accept a lower payment rate than what would be expected without the SBA’s
guarantee.84
(...continued)
https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
80
13 C.F.R. §107.1170.
81
13 C.F.R. §107.1500; and SBA, “Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation
Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A,” February 19, 2009, pp. 7, 14, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-200910-cusip-831641-ep6.
82
SBA, “Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS
2009-10 A,” February 19, 2009, p. 2, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
83
Ibid., pp. 2, 3. Also, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Private Equity for Small Firms: The
Importance of the Participating Securities Program, 109th Cong., 1st sess., April 13, 2005, Serial No. 109-10
(Washington: GPO, 2005), p. 5.
84
The coupon rate for the most recent sale of a SBA guaranteed participating securities participation certificate, which
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
more likely to accept a lower payment rate than what would be expected without the SBA's guarantee.85
In addition, participating securities SBICs are more likely than debenture SBICs to invest in
startup and early stage small businesses because the SBA is willing to make a participating
securities SBIC
’'s required quarterly payments to investors, at least during the early years of the
investment. Because participating securities SBICs are not required to make these quarterly
payments, they are encouraged to focus on a small business
’'s long-term prospects for growth and
profitability rather than on its prospects for having immediate, positive cash flow.
85
As of March86
As of December 31, 2015, the SBA had a guarantee on an outstanding unpaid principal balance of
nearly $7.9 $9.2 billion in SBIC debentures, $
522370.2 million in SBIC participating securities, and $
30.3
60.6 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.
8687 The SBA also had an outstanding commitment on
nearly $3.0 $3.2 billion in SBIC debentures, $
8.06.4 million in outstanding SBIC participating securities,
and $
11.714.4 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.
87
88
Impact Investment Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements
As mentioned previously, the SBA announced on April 7, 2011, that it was establishing a $1
billion Impact Investment SBIC Initiative to
“"target areas of critical national priority including
underserved markets and communities facing barriers to access to credit and capital.
”88"89 On July
26, 2011, the SBA announced that the first impact investment debenture SBIC license had been
awarded to InvestMichigan! Mezzanine Fund.
89
90
Licensed impact investment debenture SBICs may apply to the SBA for leverage of up to 300%
of their private capital, limited to $150 million. In addition, they may receive leverage amounting
to no more than 100% of their private capital during any fiscal year (subject to the $150 million
limit). The SBA is expected to limit impact investment debenture SBICs to a maximum of 200%
of their private capital, up to $150 million.90
(...continued)
took place on February 25, 2009, was 4.727%. SBA, “Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities
Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A,” February 19, 2009, p. 1, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbicps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
85
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report
to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 11;
and SBA, “SBIC Program: FAQs 7. What is the status of the Participating Securities Program?” at
https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
86
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
87
Ibid.
88
SBA, “Impact Investment Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) Fund,” p. 1, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/
default/files/files/Impact_Investment_Call_for_Action.pdf.
89
SBA, “SBA Licenses First Impact Investment Fund in Michigan,” July 26, 2011, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbalicenses-first-impact-investment-fund-michigan. The license was dated April 25, 2011. Mezzanine financing is a hybrid
of debt and equity financing and is typically used to finance the expansion of an existing business. It provides the
lender the right to convert to an ownership or equity interest in the company if the loan is not paid back in time and in
full. It is generally subordinated to debt provided by senior lenders such as banks and venture capital companies.
Another license was awarded to SJF Ventures, which has offices in New York, San Francisco, and Durham. It
reportedly will serve a licensing and oversight role and will not receive leverage from the SBA. See “SBA chooses firm
with a clean-tech profile as its newest investment partner, Washington Post, March 8, 2012, at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/sba-chooses-firm-with-a-clean-tech-profile-as-its-newestinvestment-partner/2012/03/08/gIQAKgmPzR_story.html.
90
SBA, “Start-Up America Impact Investment SBIC Initiative Policy Update,” September 26, 2012, at
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
of their private capital, up to $150 million.91
Impact investment debenture SBICs obtain leverage in the same way debenture SBICs obtain
leverage—through the issuance of SBA-guaranteed debentures with a term of up to 10 years.
They are also subject to the same terms and conditions as debenture SBICs, except they are
provided an expedited application review process.
Early Stage Debenture SBIC Leverage Requirements
On April 27, 2012, the SBA published a final rule in the Federal Register establishing the $1
billion Early Stage Innovation SBIC Initiative (up to $150 million in SBA leverage in FY2012
and up to $200 million in SBA leverage per fiscal year thereafter until the limit is reached). A
licensed early stage SBIC may apply to the SBA for leverage of up to 100% of its private capital,
limited to $50 million. The SBA does not consider applications from an early stage SBIC
applicant that is under common control with another early stage SBIC applicant or an existing
early stage SBIC (unless the existing early stage SBIC has no outstanding leverage or leverage
commitments and will not seek additional leverage in the future).
91
92
Early stage debenture SBICs obtain leverage in the same way that debenture SBICs obtain
leverage—through the issuance of SBA-guaranteed debentures with a term of up to 10 years.
However, early stage debentures come in two forms: early stage standard debentures and early
stage discounted debentures.
Early stage standard SBIC debentures are similar to standard SBIC debentures, but, instead of
requiring semiannual payments on the debenture
’'s interest and on the SBA
’'s annual charge, they
require quarterly payments on the debenture
’'s interest and on the SBA
’'s annual charge. In
addition, early stage SBICs must maintain a reserve sufficient to pay the interest on the debenture
and on the SBA
’'s annual charges for the first 21 payment dates following the date of issuance
(five years plus the length of time between the issue date and the next March 1, June 1,
September 1, or December 1).
9293 Because early stage standard debentures require early stage
debenture SBICs to make quarterly payments, they are most appropriate for investments in small
businesses that have established a positive cash flow enabling them to pay interest or dividends to
the early stage debenture SBIC.
Early stage discounted debentures are issued at a discount (less than face value) equal to the first
five years of interest on the debenture and the first five years of annual SBA charges. The
discount eliminates the need for early stage debenture SBICs to make interest payments on the
debenture and to make payments on the SBA
’'s annual charge for five years from the date of
issuance, plus the stub period.
93 94 Early stage debenture SBICs make quarterly payments on the
debenture’ debenture's interest and on the SBA
’s annual charge during years 6 through 10. They are also
(...continued)
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/External%20Impact%20Memo%202012-09-26%20final.pdf; and SBA,
“SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70 Million Bump in its Impact
Investment Fund,” June 6, 2013, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-50-million-increase-match-its-sbicearly-stage-fund-and-70-million-bump-its.
91
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs,” 77 Federal Register 25052, April 27, 2012.
92
13 C.F.R. §107.1181. The required reserve is reduced on each payment date upon payment of the required interest
and charges.
93
SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, “Correspondence with the author,” May 2, 2012.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
's annual charge during years 6 through 10. They are also responsible for paying the debenture
’'s principal amount when the debenture reaches its maturity
date.
Because early stage discounted debentures do not require interest payments or payments on the
SBA’ SBA's annual charge for five years, they are most appropriate for investments in small businesses
that have not established a positive cash flow to pay interest or dividends to the early stage
debenture SBIC. As a result, early stage discounted debentures are designed to encourage
investments in early stage small businesses, which by definition have not established a positive
cash flow.
Reporting Requirements
Reporting Requirements
Once licensed, each SBIC is required to file with the SBA an annual financial report that includes
an audit by a SBA-approved independent public accountant. SBICs are also subject to annual
onsiteon-site regulatory compliance
examinations94examinations95 and required to provide the SBA
•
a portfolio financing report within 30 days of the closing date for each financing
of a small business;
95
•
96
the value of their loans and investments within 90 days of the end of the fiscal
year in the case of annual valuations and within 30 days following the close of
other reporting periods;
96
•
97
any material adverse changes in valuations at least quarterly (within 30 days
following the close of the quarter);
97 and
•
98 and
copies of reports provided to investors, documents filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and documents pertaining to litigation or other legal
proceedings, including criminal charges against any person required by the SBA
complete a personal history statement in connection with the SBIC
’'s license.
98
99SBIC Program Statistics
As of March
As of December 31, 2015, there were
296300 licensed SBICs in operation (
193204 debenture SBICs,
50
44 participating securities SBICs,
4443 bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs, and 9 SSBICs).
99
100
As shown in Table 2, the number of debenture SBICs has
generally increased in recent years. However,
there are fewer licensed SBICs today than in FY2008, primarily due to the planned reduction in
the number of participating securities SBICs and SSBICs.
94
13 C.F.R. §107.630; and 13 C.F.R. §107.690.
13 C.F.R. §107.640.
96
13 C.F.R. §107.650.
97
Ibid.
98
13 C.F.R. §107.660.
99
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
95
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Table 2. Number of Licensed SBICs by Type, FY2008-FY2015
SBIC Type
FY2008
FY2009
FY2010
FY2011
FY2012
Debenture
129
126
140
143
158
175
187
193
Participating
Security
149
127
107
97
86
63
53
50
Bank-Owned/
NonLeveraged
54
48
47
46
44
43
45
44
Specialized
SBICs
16
14
13
13
13
11
9
9
348
315
307
299
301
292
294
296
Total
FY2013
FY2014
FY2015
(as of
2/28/15)
Sources: SBA Investment Division, “SBIC Program Overview,” January 23, 2009; SBA, “Small Business
Investment Company (SBIC) Program Overview, as of September 30, 2013;” and SBA, “SBIC Program Overview,
as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/
SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
The SBA has made it a goal to increase the number of new SBIC licenses issued each year, with
an emphasis on new debenture SBICs licenses, “to position the program for continued growth.”100
Overall, SBICs pursue investments in a broad range of industries, geographic areas, and stages of
investment. Some individual SBICs specialize in a particular field or industry in which their
management has expertise, and others invest more generally. Most SBICs concentrate on a
particular stage of investment (i.e., startup, expansion, or turnaround) and identify a geographic
area in which to focus.
Total Financing
From the inception of the SBIC program to December 31, 2014, SBICs have invested
approximately $74.2 billion in approximately 170,000 financings to small concerns.101 As
mentioned previously, as of March 31, 2015, the SBA had a guarantee on an outstanding unpaid
principal balance of nearly $7.9 billion in SBIC debentures, $522 million in SBIC participating
100
SBA, “FY 2012 Congressional Budget Justification and FY 2010 Annual Performance Report,” p. 60, at
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/aboutsbaarticle/
FINAL%20FY%202012%20CBJ%20FY%202010%20APR_0.pdf. The SBA issued six new SBIC licenses (five to
debenture SBICs and one to a bank-owned/non-leveraged SBIC) in FY2008, 11 new SBIC licenses (eight to debenture
SBICs and three to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2009, and 23 new SBIC licenses (21 to debenture SBICs
and 2 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2010. The SBA issued 22 new SBIC licenses (18 to debenture
SBICs and 4 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2011, 30 new SBIC licenses (27 to debenture SBICs and 3 to
bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2012, 34 new SBIC licenses (29 to debenture SBICs and 5 to bank-owned,
non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2013, and 30 new SBIC licenses (24 to debenture SBICs and 6 to bank-owned, nonleveraged SBICs) in FY2014.
101
SBA, “Offering Circular, $1,159,625,000, Guaranteed 2.517% Debenture Participation Certificates, Series SBIC
2015-10 A,” March 17, 2015, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/SBIC_2015-10A-cusip-831641-fc4.pdf.
The SBA has a selected list of firms that have received SBIC financing, including Apple Computer, Compaq
Computer, Costco Wholesale Corporation, FedEx, Intel, Jenny Craig, Inc., Outback Steakhouse, Sports Authority,
Staples, and Sun Microsystems, on its website. See SBA, “SBIC Program Overview,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/
sbic-program-overview.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
securities, and $30.3 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.102 The SBA also had an
outstanding commitment on nearly $3.0 billion in SBIC debentures, $8.0 million in outstanding
SBIC participating securities, and $11.7 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.103
Including private investment, as of March 31, 2015, the SBIC program had invested or committed
about $23.6 billion in small businesses, with the SBA’s share of capital at risk about $11.4
billion.104
In FY2014, SBICs made 2,309 financings (including 16 financings by SSBICs). The average
financing amount was $2,366,635 ($2,365,981 for debenture SBICs, $265,975 for participating
securities SBICs, $970,890 for bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs, and $2,460,343 for
SSBICs).105 The funds were used primarily for acquiring an existing business (50.0%) and also
for operating capital (17.6%), refinancing or refunding debt (17.3%), purchasing machinery or
equipment (3.0%), research and development (1.9%), a new building or plant construction
(1.4%), marketing activities (1.2%), plant modernization (0.5%), land acquisition (0.4%), and
other uses (6.7%).106
As shown in Table 3, the total amount of SBIC financing declined during the recession
(December 2007-June 2009), reached prerecession levels in FY2011, and has continued to
increase since then. In FY2014, the SBA committed to guarantee nearly $2.55 billion in SBIC
small business investments. SBICs invested another $2.92 billion from private capital for a total
of almost $5.5 billion in financing for 1,085 small businesses.
In addition, the amount of SBA leverage as a share of total financing provided has generally
increased over the past decade. For example, the SBA’s leverage commitments accounted for
12.3% of total financing in FY2005, 16.5% in FY2006, and 26.7% in FY2007, compared with
59.6% in FY2012, 61.6% in FY2013, and 46.6% in FY2014.
The SBA was authorized to issue up to $3.0 billion in SBIC leverage from 2005 through 2013. As
mentioned previously, P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, increased the
annual amount of leverage the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3
billion. For comparative purposes, private venture capital firms invested $20.3 billion in 3,172
deals in 2009, $23.4 billion in 3,666 deals in 2010, $29.8 billion in 4,034 deals in 2011, $27.6
billion in 3,936 deals in 2012, $29.9 billion in 4,193 deals in 2013, and $48.3 billion in 4,356
deals in 2014.107
102
SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/resource/resmgr/
Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
103
Ibid.
104
Ibid.
105
SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September
2014.”
106
Ibid.
107
PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Venture Capital Association, “MoneyTree™ Report, Q4 2014/Full-year 2014,”
at https://www.pwcmoneytree.com/Reports/FullArchive/National_2014-4.pdf.
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Table 3. SBIC Investments, FY2005-FY2015
($ in millions)
Year
SBA
Leverage/Guarantee
Commitments
Private-Sector
Investment
Number of Small
Businesses
Financed
Total Financing
FY2005
$355
$2,540
$2,895
2,298
FY2006
$477
$2,420
$2,897
2,121
FY2007
$708
$1,940
$2,648
2,057
FY2008
$1,029
$1,398
$2,427
1,905
FY2009
$788
$1,068
$1,856
1,481
FY2010
$1,165
$882
$2,047
1,331
FY2011
$1,828
$1,005
$2,833
1,339
FY2012
$1,924
$1,303
$3,227
1,094
FY2013
$2,156
$1,342
$3,498
1,068
FY2014
$2,549
$2,916
$5,465
1,085
FY2015
(as of 3/31/15)
$1,018
$1,953
$2,971
699
Sources: SBA, “Performance and Financial Highlights, FY2007,” February 4, 2008, p. 4; SBA, “FY2008 Budget
Request and Performance Plan,” 2007, p. 23; SBA, Investment Division, “SBIC Program Overview,” January 23,
2009; and SBA, “SBIC Program Overview, as of March 31, 2015,” at http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sbia.org/
resource/resmgr/Docs/SBIC_Program_Overview_-_Marc.pdf.
In 2008, the Urban Institute released an analysis comparing debenture SBIC investments made
from 1997 to 2005 to private-sector venture capital investments made during that time period in
second stage business loans, third stage business loans, and bridge loans “because these
investments are likely to be of the same character (debt with equity features) as those made by
debenture SBICs.”108 The Urban Institute found that debenture SBIC investments accounted for
more than 62% of all venture capital financings in second stage business loans, third stage
business loans, and bridge loans in the United States during that time period. However, because
the average amount of a SBIC debenture investment was much smaller than the industry average,
SBIC debenture investments accounted for “only 8% of total dollars invested.”109
Financing to Specific Demographic Groups
As shown in Table 4, in FY2014, SBICs made 76 financings (3.3% of all financings) amounting
to $190.3 million (3.5% of the total amount of financings) to minority-owned and -controlled
small businesses.
108
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, “The Debenture Small Business Investment Company
Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity,” Washington, DC: The
Urban Institute, January 2008, p. 3, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
109
Ibid., p. 1.
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Table 4. SBIC Financing, Minority-Owned Small Businesses, FY2014
Small Business
Ownership
Demographic
Number of
Financings
Percentage of
Financings
$ Amount of
Financings
Percentage of
Total $ Amount
of Financings
Black-Owned
39
1.7%
$91,367,253
1.7%
Asian Owned
25
1.1%
$61,606,521
1.1%
Hispanic-Owned
10
0.4%
$35,093,458
0.6%
2
0.1%
$2,191,000
0.1%
76
3.3%
$190,258,232
3.5%
Other (Nonminority)
2,233
96.7%
$5,274,302,379
96.5%
Total—All Financings
2,309
100.0%
$5,464,560,611
100.00%
Native American-Owned
Subtotal
Source: SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and
September 2014.”
Notes: Ownership is defined as owning at least 50% of the small business.
In addition, in FY2014, SBICs made 57 financings (2.5% of all financings) totaling $173.1
million (3.2% of the total amount of financings) to women-owned small businesses and 17
financings (0.7% of all financings) totaling nearly $62.6 million (1.1% of the total amount of
financings) to veteran-owned small businesses.110
Research concerning private venture capital investment in minority-owned or women-owned
small businesses is limited. As a result, it is difficult to find the data necessary to compare the
SBIC program’s investment in minority-owned or women-owned small businesses to the private
sector’s investment in these firms.111
In 2007, the SBA acknowledged at a congressional hearing on its investment programs that
“women and minority representation in [the SBIC program] is low” and has been for many
years.112 The SBA reported at that time that it did not control the investments made by SBICs, but
it has tried to increase women and minority representation in the SBIC program by reaching out
to venture capital firms, trade organizations, and others to better understand why women and
minority representation in the SBIC program is low and by “finding debenture firms with
minority representation on their investment committees and in senior management.”113 However,
despite these efforts, in 2009, the Small Business Investor Alliance (then called the National
Association of Small Business Investment Companies) asserted at a congressional hearing on the
110
SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September
2014.”
111
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, “The Debenture Small Business Investment Company
Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity,” Washington, DC: The
Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 2, 26, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
112
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Legislation Updating and
Improving the SBA’s Investment and Surety Bond Programs, 110th Cong., 1st sess., September 6, 2007, Serial Number
110-44 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 15.
113
Ibid.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
SBA’s capital access programs that the SBA’s SBIC licensing process “has done an abysmal job
at attracting and licensing funds led by women and minorities.”114
During the 111th Congress, S. 1831, the Small Business Venture Capital Act of 2009, was
introduced on October 21, 2009, and referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship. No further action was taken on the bill. It would have encouraged SBIC
investments in women-owned small businesses and socially and economically disadvantaged
small business concerns by increasing the amount of leverage available to SBICs that invest at
least 50% of their financings in small business concerns owned and controlled by women or
socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns.
Financing by State
As shown in Table 5, in FY2014, SBICs provided financing to small businesses located in 46
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, with the most financing taking place in
California (297 financings totaling $765.7 million), Texas (237 financings totaling $538.2
million), and New York (236 financings totaling $506.1 million).
114
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing On Increasing Capital For Small
Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, House Small Business Committee Document No. 111-051
(Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 89.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Table 5. SBIC Financing by State, FY2014
($ in millions)
# of
Financings
Amount of
Financings
# of
Financings
Amount of
Financings
Alabama
7
$42.1
Montana
4
$4.9
Alaska
0
$0.0
Nebraska
5
$20.4
Arizona
33
$64.7
Nevada
6
$29.6
Arkansas
11
$2.8
15
$43.3
California
297
$765.7
New Jersey
110
$167.0
Colorado
47
$133.1
New Mexico
5
$3.6
Connecticut
42
$130.9
New York
236
$506.1
Delaware
5
$9.4
North Carolina
137
$271.5
District of Columbia
1
$0.3
North Dakota
0
$0.0
Florida
136
$335.1
Ohio
45
$111.9
Georgia
74
$223.5
Oklahoma
31
$36.7
Hawaii
3
$1.8
Oregon
24
$57.7
Idaho
6
$15.6
Pennsylvania
68
$228.0
Illinois
118
$252.2
Puerto Rico
3
$5.6
Indiana
24
$53.2
Rhode Island
6
$10.6
6
$23.4
South Carolina
33
$73.2
Kansas
20
$21.7
South Dakota
9
$30.4
Kentucky
11
$14.7
Tennessee
41
$137.5
Louisiana
36
$53.8
Texas
237
$538.2
3
$4.2
Utah
39
$129.5
18
$33.4
6
$30.8
138
$231.5
Virginia
52
$90.7
Michigan
18
$82.1
Washington
25
$90.3
Minnesota
54
$166.3
0
$0.0
Mississippi
2
$23.4
Wisconsin
25
$63.0
37
$99.0
Wyoming
0
$0.0
2,309
$5,464.6
State
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Missouri
Total
State
New Hampshire
Vermont
West Virginia
Source: SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and
September 2014.”
The previously mentioned 2008 Urban Institute comparative analysis of debenture SBIC
financing from 1997 to 2005 found that the dollar volume of investments from debenture SBICs
was more evenly distributed across the nation than from comparable private venture capital funds.
For example, the Urban Institute found that California (45.8%) and Massachusetts (12.9%)
received the largest share of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds from
1997 to 2005. The two states accounted for more than half (58.7%) of the total dollar volume
invested by private venture capital funds. In contrast, New York (18.7%) and California (11.1%)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
received the largest share of the total dollar volume invested by debenture SBICs from 1997 to
2005. The two states accounted for less than one-third (29.8%) of the total dollar volume invested
by debenture SBICs. Also, the top 10 states in terms of their share of the total dollar volume
invested accounted for nearly 84% of the total invested by private venture capital funds,
compared with 64% for debenture SBICs.115
A comparison of the state-by-state distribution of private-sector venture capital fund investments
and SBIC financings in FY2014 (see Table 5) suggests the Urban Institute’s finding that SBICs
investments were more evenly distributed across the nation than private-sector venture capital
fund investments from 1997 to 2005 continues to be the case today. For example, in FY2014,
California (55.9%), New York (10.4%), Massachusetts (8.8%), and Texas (3.2%) received the
largest shares of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds. The four states
accounted for more than three-quarters (78.3%) of the total dollar volume invested by private
venture capital funds during that time period.116 In contrast, the four states with the largest share
of the total volume invested by SBICs in FY2014 (California at 14.0%, Texas at 9.8%, New York
at 9.3%, and Florida at 6.1%) accounted for 39.2% of the total dollar volume invested by SBICs.
Financing by Industry
As shown in Table 6, SBIC financings in FY2014 were made in a variety of industries, led by
investments in manufacturing; transportation and warehousing; professional, scientific, and
technical services; and information.
The 2008 Urban Institute comparative analysis of SBIC financings from 1997 to 2005 found that
“SBIC financing is less concentrated by industry than financing from private venture capital
firms” and “total financings by SBICs are much less likely to be in high-tech industries” than
comparable private-sector venture capital investment firms.117 The Urban Institute found that,
unlike SBICs, “the value of investments by private venture capital firms is predominately directed
towards information and finance,” with computer and Internet firms receiving roughly half of all
private-sector investments.118
115
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, “The Debenture Small Business Investment Company
Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity,” Washington, DC: The
Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 3, 18-24, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
116
PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Venture Capital Association, “Venture Capital Investments, Regional Aggregate
Data,” at https://www.pwcmoneytree.com/Reports/Homepage%20RegionalAgg.xlsx.
117
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, “The Debenture Small Business Investment Company
Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity,” Washington, DC: The
Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 3, 11-17, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
118
Ibid., p. 11.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
Table 6. SBIC Financing by Industry FY2014
Number of
Financings
Percentage of
Financings
$ Amount of
Financings
Percentage of $
Amount of
Financings
Manufacturing
640
27.7%
$1,601,174,124
29.3%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical
Services
350
15.2%
Information
237
10.3%
$770,349,057
14.1%
Health Care and Social Assistance
178
7.7%
$448,474,621
8.2%
Wholesale Trade
149
6.5%
$321,962,977
5.9%
Transportation and Warehousing
146
6.3%
$176,329,325
3.2%
Administrative and Support and
Waste Management
123
5.3%
Accommodation and Food Services
100
4.3%
$116,975,115
2.1%
Retail Trade
93
4.0%
$148,322,729
2.7%
Mining
84
3.6%
$156,893,452
2.9%
Construction
54
2.3%
$93,742,670
1.7%
Finance and Insurance
35
1.5%
$132,345,631
2.4%
Educational Services
26
1.1%
$90,598,959
1.7%
Real Estate and Rental Leasing
24
1.0%
$82,617,495
1.5%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
20
0.9%
$60,140,814
1.1%
Management of Companies and
Enterprises
10
0.4%
Other Industries
40
1.7%
$98,900,253
1.8%
2,309
100.0%
$5,464,560,611
100.0%
Industry
Total
$832,298,946
$304,031,460
$29,402,983
15.2%
5.6%
0.5%
Source: SBA, “SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and
September 2014.”
Legislative Activity
P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), included provisions
designed to increase the amount of leverage issued under the SBIC program by increasing the
maximum amount of leverage available to an individual SBIC to 300% of its private capital or
$150 million, whichever is less, and by increasing the maximum amount of leverage available for
two or more licenses under common control to $225 million.119 It also encouraged SBIC
119
13 C.F.R. §107.1120; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1150. Previously, “the total principal amount of outstanding debentures
and participating securities guaranteed by SBA and issued by any SBIC or group of commonly controlled SBICs may
not, in general, exceed at any one time an amount equal to three times such SBIC’s Private Capital or $130.6 million,
whichever is less, of which no more than two times the SBIC’s Private Capital may be represented by participating
securities. Such dollar limit has been adjusted annually to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index since March
31, 1993.” See SBA, “Offering Circular, Guaranteed 5.725% Debenture Participation Certificates, Series SBIC 200810 B,” September 18, 2008, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-2008-10-b-cusip-831641-en1.
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investment in smaller enterprises by requiring SBICs licensed after the date of its enactment
(February 17, 2009) to certify that at least 25% of all future financing dollars are invested in
smaller enterprises. ARRA defined smaller enterprises as firms having either a net worth of no
more than $6 million and average after-tax net income for the preceding two years of no more
than $2 million or meeting the SBA’s size standard for its industry classification.120
ARRA also encouraged SBIC investments in low-income areas by allowing a SBIC licensed on
or after October 1, 2009, to elect to have a maximum leverage amount of $175 million, and $250
million for two or more licenses under common control, if the SBIC has invested at least 50% of
its financings in low-income geographic areas and certified that at least 50% of its future
investments will be in low-income geographic areas.121
As part of its Startup America Initiative, on January 31, 2012, the Obama Administration
recommended that the SBIC program’s annual authorization be increased to $4 billion from $3
billion and that the amount of SBA leverage available to licensees under common control (family
of funds) be increased to $350 million from $225 million.122 On April 27, 2012, the SBA also
published a final rule in the Federal Register establishing the $1 billion Early Stage Innovation
SBIC Initiative (up to $150 million in SBA leverage in FY2012 and up to $200 million in SBA
leverage per fiscal year thereafter until the limit is reached) to encourage SBIC program
investments in early stage small businesses. As will be discussed, several bills have been
introduced during recent Congresses to expand the SBIC program by increasing its annual
authorization to $4 billion, increasing the family of funds limit to $350 million, or authorizing a
SBIC program specifically designed to encourage SBIC investments in business startups and
other early stage small businesses.
Legislation to Target Additional Assistance to Startup and Early
Stage Small Businesses
Some Members and small business advocates have proposed legislation to establish a
“permanent” congressionally authorized SBIC program to target additional assistance to startup
and early stage small businesses, which are generally viewed as relatively risky investments but
also as having a relatively high potential for job creation. Advocates of targeting additional
assistance to startup and early stage small businesses argue that the SBA’s participating securities
program was created to fill a perceived investment gap resulting from the SBA’s debenture
program’s focus on mid- and later-stage small businesses. Because the SBA is no longer
providing new licenses or leverage for participating securities SBICs, several Members have
introduced legislation to create a new SBA program that would focus on the investment needs of
startup and early stage small businesses.
For example, during the 111th the number of participating securities SBICs and SSBICs.
Table 2. Number of Licensed SBICs by Type, FY2008-FY2016
|
SBIC Type
|
FY 2008
|
FY 2009
|
FY 2010
|
FY 2011
|
FY 2012
|
FY 2013
|
FY 2014
|
FY 2015
|
FY 2016 (12/31/16)
|
Debenture
|
Participating Security
|
Bank-Owned/ Non-Leveraged
|
Specialized SBICs
|
Total
|
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Overview," January 23, 2009; U.S. Small Business Administration, "Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program Overview, as of September 30, 2013;" and U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015."
The SBA has made it a goal to increase the number of new SBIC licenses issued each year, with an emphasis on new debenture SBICs licenses, "to position the program for continued growth."101
Overall, SBICs pursue investments in a broad range of industries, geographic areas, and stages of investment. Some individual SBICs specialize in a particular field or industry in which their management has expertise, and others invest more generally. Most SBICs concentrate on a particular stage of investment (i.e., startup, expansion, or turnaround) and identify a geographic area in which to focus.
Total Financing
From the inception of the SBIC program to December 31, 2014, SBICs have invested approximately $74.2 billion in approximately 170,000 financings to small concerns.102 As mentioned previously, as of December 31, 2015, the SBA had a guarantee on an outstanding unpaid principal balance of $9.2 billion in SBIC debentures, $370.2 million in SBIC participating securities, and $60.6 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.103 The SBA also had an outstanding commitment on $3.2 billion in SBIC debentures, $6.4 million in outstanding SBIC participating securities, and $14.4 million in other, primarily SSBIC, financings.104
Including private investment, as of December 31, 2015, the SBIC program had invested or committed about $25.9 billion in small businesses, with the SBA's share of capital at risk about $12.9 billion.105
In FY2015, SBICs made 2,815 financings. The average financing amount was $2,232,870 ($2,446,277 for debenture SBICs and $440,391 for participating securities SBICs).106 In FY2014 (the latest data available), SBIC funds were used primarily for acquiring an existing business (50.0%) and also for operating capital (17.6%), refinancing or refunding debt (17.3%), purchasing machinery or equipment (3.0%), research and development (1.9%), a new building or plant construction (1.4%), marketing activities (1.2%), plant modernization (0.5%), land acquisition (0.4%), and other uses (6.7%).107
As shown in Table 3, the total amount of SBIC financing declined during the recession (December 2007-June 2009), reached prerecession levels in FY2011, and has continued to increase since then. In FY2015, the SBA committed to guarantee $2.55 billion in SBIC small business investments. SBICs invested another $3.73 billion from private capital for a total of almost $6.3 billion in financing for 1,210 small businesses.
In addition, the amount of SBA leverage as a share of total financing provided has generally increased since FY2005, peaking at 61.6% in FY2012. For example, the SBA's leverage commitments accounted for 12.3% of total financing in FY2005, 16.5% in FY2006, and 26.7% in FY2007, compared with 59.6% in FY2012, 61.6% in FY2013, 46.6% in FY2014, 40.6% in FY2015, and 45.1% during the first quarter of FY2016.
The SBA was authorized to issue up to $3.0 billion in SBIC leverage from 2005 through 2013. As mentioned previously, P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, increased the annual amount of leverage the SBA is authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion. For comparative purposes, private venture capital firms invested $23.5 billion in 3,673 deals in 2010, $29.9 billion in 4,049 deals in 2011, $27.7 billion in 3,991 deals in 2012, $30.3 billion in 4,293 deals in 2013, $50.8 billion in 4,430 deals in 2014, and $58.8 billion in 4,380 deals in 2015.108
Table 3. SBIC Investments, FY2005-FY2016
($ in millions)
|
Year
|
SBA Leverage/Guarantee Commitments
|
Private-Sector Investment
|
Total Financing
|
Number of Small Businesses Financed
|
FY2005
|
FY2006
|
FY2007
|
FY2008
|
FY2009
|
FY2010
|
FY2011
|
FY2012
|
FY2013
|
FY2014
|
FY2015
|
FY2016
(as of 12/31/2016)
|
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, "Performance and Financial Highlights, FY2007," February 4, 2008, p. 4; U.S. Small Business Administration, "FY2008 Budget Request and Performance Plan," 2007, p. 23; U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Overview," January 23, 2009; U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Overview, as of September 30, 2015," and U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2016.
In 2008, the Urban Institute released an analysis comparing debenture SBIC investments made from 1997 to 2005 to private-sector venture capital investments made during that time period in second stage business loans, third stage business loans, and bridge loans "because these investments are likely to be of the same character (debt with equity features) as those made by debenture SBICs."109 The Urban Institute found that debenture SBIC investments accounted for more than 62% of all venture capital financings in second stage business loans, third stage business loans, and bridge loans in the United States during that time period. However, because the average amount of a SBIC debenture investment was much smaller than the industry average, SBIC debenture investments accounted for "only 8% of total dollars invested."110
Financing to Specific Demographic Groups
As shown in Table 4, in FY2015, SBICs made 82 financings (2.9% of all financings) amounting to $241.8 million (3.9% of the total amount of financings) to minority-owned and -controlled small businesses.
Table 4. SBIC Financing, Minority-Owned Small Businesses, FY2015
|
Small Business Ownership Demographic
|
Number of Financings
|
Percentage of Financings
|
$ Amount of Financings
|
Percentage of Total $ Amount of Financings
|
Black-Owned
|
$74,758,631
|
Asian Owned
|
$56,201,312
|
Hispanic-Owned
|
$106,080,000
|
Native American-Owned
|
$4,800,000
|
Subtotal
|
$241,839,943
|
Other (Nonminority)
|
$6,043,687,364
|
Total—All Financings
|
$6,285,527,307
|
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2014 and September 2015."
Notes: Ownership is defined as owning at least 50% of the small business.
In addition, in FY2015, SBICs made 59 financings (2.1% of all financings) totaling $124.2 million (2.0% of the total amount of financings) to women-owned small businesses and 44 financings (1.6% of all financings) totaling nearly $69.0 million (1.1% of the total amount of financings) to veteran-owned small businesses.111
Research concerning private venture capital investment in minority-owned or women-owned small businesses is limited. As a result, it is difficult to find the data necessary to compare the SBIC program's investment in minority-owned or women-owned small businesses to the private sector's investment in these firms.112
In 2007, the SBA acknowledged at a congressional hearing on its investment programs that "women and minority representation in [the SBIC program] is low" and has been for many years.113 The SBA reported at that time that it did not control the investments made by SBICs, but it has tried to increase women and minority representation in the SBIC program by reaching out to venture capital firms, trade organizations, and others to better understand why women and minority representation in the SBIC program is low and by "finding debenture firms with minority representation on their investment committees and in senior management."114 However, despite these efforts, in 2009, the Small Business Investor Alliance (then called the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies) asserted at a congressional hearing on the SBA's capital access programs that the SBA's SBIC licensing process "has done an abysmal job at attracting and licensing funds led by women and minorities."115
During the 111th Congress, S. 1831, the Small Business Venture Capital Act of 2009, was introduced on October 21, 2009, and referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. No further action was taken on the bill. It would have encouraged SBIC investments in women-owned small businesses and socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns by increasing the amount of leverage available to SBICs that invest at least 50% of their financings in small business concerns owned and controlled by women or socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns.
Financing by State
As shown in Table 5, in FY2015, SBICs provided financing to small businesses located in 46 states, with the most financing taking place in California (438 financings totaling $1.01 billion), Texas (269 financings totaling $701.9 million), and Florida (217 financings totaling $476.6 million).
Table 5. SBIC Financing by State, FY2015
($ in millions)
|
State
|
# of Financings
|
Amount of Financings
|
State
|
# of Financings
|
Amount of Financings
|
Alabama
|
Montana
|
Alaska
|
Nebraska
|
Arizona
|
Nevada
|
Arkansas
|
New Hampshire
|
California
|
New Jersey
|
Colorado
|
New Mexico
|
Connecticut
|
New York
|
Delaware
|
North Carolina
|
District of Columbia
|
North Dakota
|
Florida
|
Ohio
|
Georgia
|
Oklahoma
|
Hawaii
|
Oregon
|
Idaho
|
Pennsylvania
|
Illinois
|
Puerto Rico
|
Indiana
|
Rhode Island
|
Iowa
|
South Carolina
|
Kansas
|
South Dakota
|
Kentucky
|
Tennessee
|
Louisiana
|
Texas
|
Maine
|
Utah
|
Maryland
|
Vermont
|
Massachusetts
|
Virginia
|
Michigan
|
Washington
|
Minnesota
|
West Virginia
|
Mississippi
|
Wisconsin
|
Missouri
|
Wyoming
|
Total
|
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Investment and Innovation, "Correspondence with the author," November 12, 2015.
The previously mentioned 2008 Urban Institute comparative analysis of debenture SBIC financing from 1997 to 2005 found that the dollar volume of investments from debenture SBICs was more evenly distributed across the nation than from comparable private venture capital funds. For example, the Urban Institute found that California (45.8%) and Massachusetts (12.9%) received the largest share of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds from 1997 to 2005. The two states accounted for more than half (58.7%) of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds. In contrast, New York (18.7%) and California (11.1%) received the largest share of the total dollar volume invested by debenture SBICs from 1997 to 2005. The two states accounted for less than one-third (29.8%) of the total dollar volume invested by debenture SBICs. Also, the top 10 states in terms of their share of the total dollar volume invested accounted for nearly 84% of the total invested by private venture capital funds, compared with 64% for debenture SBICs.116
A comparison of the state-by-state distribution of private-sector venture capital fund investments and SBIC financings in FY2015 (see Table 5) suggests the Urban Institute's finding that SBICs investments were more evenly distributed across the nation than private-sector venture capital fund investments from 1997 to 2005 continues to be the case today. For example, in FY2015, California (58.1%), Massachusetts (10.6%), New York (9.7%), and Texas (2.6%) received the largest shares of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds. The four states accounted for more than four-fifths (81.0%) of the total dollar volume invested by private venture capital funds during that time period.117 In contrast, the four states with the largest share of the total volume invested by SBICs in FY2015 (California at 16.2%, Texas at 11.2%, Florida at 7.6%, and New York at 5.2%) accounted for 40.2% of the total dollar volume invested by SBICs.
Financing by Industry
As shown in Table 6, SBIC financings in FY2014 were made in a variety of industries, led by investments in manufacturing; transportation and warehousing; professional, scientific, and technical services; and information (FY2015 data is not available yet).
The 2008 Urban Institute comparative analysis of SBIC financings from 1997 to 2005 found that "SBIC financing is less concentrated by industry than financing from private venture capital firms" and "total financings by SBICs are much less likely to be in high-tech industries" than comparable private-sector venture capital investment firms.118 The Urban Institute found that, unlike SBICs, "the value of investments by private venture capital firms is predominately directed towards information and finance," with computer and Internet firms receiving roughly half of all private-sector investments.119
Table 6. SBIC Financing by Industry FY2014
|
Industry
|
Number of Financings
|
Percentage of Financings
|
$ Amount of Financings
|
Percentage of $ Amount of Financings
|
Manufacturing
$1,601,174,124
|
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
|
$832,298,946
|
Information
|
$770,349,057
|
Health Care and Social Assistance
|
$448,474,621
|
Wholesale Trade
|
$321,962,977
|
Transportation and Warehousing
|
$176,329,325
|
Administrative and Support and Waste Management
|
$304,031,460
|
Accommodation and Food Services
|
$116,975,115
|
Retail Trade
|
$148,322,729
|
Mining
|
$156,893,452
|
Construction
|
$93,742,670
|
Finance and Insurance
|
$132,345,631
|
Educational Services
|
$90,598,959
|
Real Estate and Rental Leasing
|
$82,617,495
|
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
|
$60,140,814
|
Management of Companies and Enterprises
|
$29,402,983
|
Other Industries
|
$98,900,253
|
Total
|
$5,464,560,611
|
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, "SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September 2014."
Legislative Activity
P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), included provisions designed to increase the amount of leverage issued under the SBIC program by increasing the maximum amount of leverage available to an individual SBIC to 300% of its private capital or $150 million, whichever is less, and by increasing the maximum amount of leverage available for two or more licenses under common control to $225 million.120 It also encouraged SBIC investment in smaller enterprises by requiring SBICs licensed after the date of its enactment (February 17, 2009) to certify that at least 25% of all future financing dollars are invested in smaller enterprises. ARRA defined smaller enterprises as firms having either a net worth of no more than $6 million and average after-tax net income for the preceding two years of no more than $2 million or meeting the SBA's size standard for its industry classification.121
ARRA also encouraged SBIC investments in low-income areas by allowing a SBIC licensed on or after October 1, 2009, to elect to have a maximum leverage amount of $175 million, and $250 million for two or more licenses under common control, if the SBIC has invested at least 50% of its financings in low-income geographic areas and certified that at least 50% of its future investments will be in low-income geographic areas.122
As part of its Startup America Initiative, on January 31, 2012, the Obama Administration recommended that the SBIC program's annual authorization be increased to $4 billion from $3 billion and that the amount of SBA leverage available to licensees under common control (the multiple licenses/family of funds limit) be increased to $350 million from $225 million.123 On April 27, 2012, the SBA also published a final rule in the Federal Register establishing the $1 billion Early Stage Innovation SBIC Initiative (up to $150 million in SBA leverage in FY2012 and up to $200 million in SBA leverage per fiscal year thereafter until the limit is reached) to encourage SBIC program investments in early stage small businesses. As will be discussed, several bills have been introduced during recent Congresses to expand the SBIC program by increasing its annual authorization to $4 billion (enacted), increasing the multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million (enacted), or authorizing a SBIC program specifically designed to encourage SBIC investments in business startups and other early stage small businesses (introduced).
Legislation to Target Additional Assistance to Startup and Early Stage Small Businesses
Some Members and small business advocates have proposed legislation to establish a "permanent" congressionally authorized SBIC program to target additional assistance to startup and early stage small businesses, which are generally viewed as relatively risky investments but also as having a relatively high potential for job creation. Advocates of targeting additional assistance to startup and early stage small businesses argue that the SBA's participating securities program was created to fill a perceived investment gap resulting from the SBA's debenture program's focus on mid- and later-stage small businesses. Because the SBA is no longer providing new licenses or leverage for participating securities SBICs, several Members have introduced legislation to create a new SBA program that would focus on the investment needs of startup and early stage small businesses.
For example, during the 111th Congress, the House passed, by a vote of 241-182, H.R. 5297, the
Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010.
123 Among its provisions, as passed by the House,
120
13 C.F.R. §107.1150; and 13 C.F.R. §107.710.
13 C.F.R. §107.1150.
122
The White House, “Startup America Legislative Agenda,” January 31, 2012, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/
default/files/uploads/startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
123
Rep. Edward Perlmutter, “Providing for Further Consideration of H.R. 5297, Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of
2010, Roll No. 368,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156, no. 91 (June 17, 2010), pp. H4608, H4609.
121
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
124 Among its provisions, as passed by the House, H.R. 5297 would have authorized a $1 billion Small Business Early Stage Investment Program.
The proposed program would have provided equity investment financing of up to $100 million in
matching funds to each participating investment company. It would have required participating
investment companies to invest in small businesses, with at least 50% of the financing in early
stage small businesses, defined as those small businesses not having
“"gross annual sales revenues
exceeding $15 million in any of the previous three years.
”124"125 The proposed program emphasized
venture capital investments in startup companies operating in nine targeted industries.
125
126
H.R. 5297, as subsequently approved by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on
September 27, 2010 (P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010), did not include
legislative language authorizing a Small Business Early Stage Investment Program.
126127 However, it
authorized a three-year Intermediary Lending Pilot Program to provide direct loans to not more
than 20 eligible nonprofit lending intermediaries each year, totaling not more than $20 million
and $1 million per intermediary. The intermediaries, in turn, may make loans to new or growing
small businesses, not to exceed $200,000 per business.
127128 On August 4, 2011, the SBA announced
the selection of the first 20 lenders to participate in the program.
128
129
As mentioned previously, the SBA subsequently established, in 2012, the $1 billion Early Stage
Innovation SBIC Initiative to encourage SBIC investments in early stage small businesses. Also,
during the 113th Congress, H.R. 30, the Small Business Investment Enhancement and Tax Relief Act, and S. 1285, the Small
Business Innovation Act of 2013, would
authorizehave authorized the Administration to establish a separate SBIC
program for early stage small businesses.
Discussion
Discussion
Advocates of efforts to encourage capital investment in startup and early stage small businesses,
including Members of Congress who have served on the House or Senate Small Business
Committees, have argued that the SBA
’'s elimination of the SBIC participating securities program
has created a gap
“"in the SBA
’'s existing array of capital access programs, particularly in the
provision of capital to early stage small businesses in capital-intensive industries.”129 As
124
H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010, Sec. 399L. Definitions.
Ibid. The nine targeted industries are agricultural technology, energy technology, environmental technology, life
science, information technology, digital media, clean technology, defense technology, and photonics technology. A
similar $200 million Small Business Early Stage Investment Program was included in H.R. 3854, the Small Business
Financing and Investment Act of 2009, which was passed by the House on October 29, 2009, by a vote of 389-32. It is
awaiting action in the Senate.
126
Sen. Al Franken, “Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010,” Rollcall Vote No. 237 Leg., Congressional Record,
daily edition, vol. 156, part 125 (September 16, 2010), p. S7158.
127
P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, Sec. 1131. Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program.
128
SBA, “Small Businesses Have New Non-Profit Sources for SBA-financed Loans,” August 4, 2011, at
https://www.sba.gov/content/small-businesses-have-new-non-profit-sources-sba-financed-loans.
129
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report
to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315, p. 2. For the arguments presented
by various organizations advocating programs to assist early stage small businesses and startups, see U.S. Congress,
House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Finance and Tax Hearing on Legislative Proposals to Reform
the SBA’s Capital Access Programs, 111th Cong., 1st sess., July 23, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-039 (Washington: GPO,
2009), pp. 10-12, 60-67; and U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on
Increasing Access to Capital for Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051
(Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 33-35, 50-54, 63-69, 86-99.
125
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
provision of capital to early stage small businesses in capital-intensive industries."130 As Representative Nydia Velázquez argued on the House floor during congressional consideration of
H.R. 5297
:
:
This legislation, Mr. Chairman, also recognizes that capital markets are changing
dramatically. Credit standards are stricter, and small businesses are now looking not only to
loans and to credit cards to finance their operations, but they are also looking to equity
investment to turn their ideas into reality. This has become even more pronounced as asset
values have declined, leaving entrepreneurs with less collateral to borrow against.
Unfortunately, small firms
’' access to venture capital and to equity investment has declined.
Last year, such investments plummeted from $28 billion in 2008 to only $17 billion last
year. This is due, in part, to the previous administration
’'s decision to terminate the SBA
’s
's largest pure equity financing program—the Small Business Investment Company
Participating Securities program. This has left many entrepreneurs who need equity
investment to fulfill their business plans without a source of such financing.
130
131
Opponents of efforts to encourage capital investment in startup and early stage small businesses
have argued that such efforts could
“"pile unnecessary risk or costs onto taxpayers at a time when
we’ we're dealing with record debt and unsustainable deficit spending.
”131"132 During consideration of the
proposed Small Business Early Stage Investment Program, opponents argued that it was untested,
would likely encourage risky investments, and the legislation required
“"only 50% of the funding
… to be invested
”" in early stage small businesses.
132
133
Legislation to Increase SBIC Financing Levels
In 2009, the Small Business Investor Alliance characterized the SBIC program as
“dramatically
underused.”133"dramatically underused."134 It argued that the program
’'s financing levels would increase if (1) the SBA further
improved its licensing processing procedures to make them more timely and objective, (2) the
percentage of SBIC regulatory capital allowed from state or local government entities was
increased from its present maximum of 33%, and (3) the SBIC program
’s 's multiple licenses/family of funds limit
( (at that time $225 million for two or more licenses under common control) was increased to allow SBICs to
have a series of investment funds in place, in which, for example,
“"one fund could be winding
down, another could be at peak, and another could just be ramping up.
”134
During the 111th"135
During the 111th Congress, H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009,
which was passed by the House on October 29, 2009, and H.R. 5554, the Small Business
Assistance and Relief Act of 2010, which was not reported after being referred to five committees
for consideration, proposed to encourage greater use of the SBIC program by increasing the
maximum percentage of SBIC regulatory capital allowed from state or local government entities
130
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010,” House debate, Congressional Record, daily
edition, vol. 156, no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
131
Rep. Sam Graves, “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010,” House debate, Congressional Record, vol. 156,
no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
132
Ibid; and Rep. Jeff Flake, “Small Business Early Stage Investment Act of 2009,” House debate, Congressional
Record, vol. 155, no. 171 (November 18, 2009), p. H13083. Note: H.R. 3738, the Small Business Early-Stage
Investment Act of 2009, was one of eight bills merged into H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment
Act of 2009, and was later added to H.R. 5297, Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, by H.Res. 1436.
133
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing On Increasing Capital For Small
Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 32, 87.
134
Ibid., pp. 88, 89.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
to 45% from 33%.135 maximum percentage of SBIC regulatory capital allowed from state or local government entities to 45% from 33%.136 Both measures would have also increased the SBIC program
’s 's multiple licenses/family of
funds limit to $350 million from $225 million; increased the SBIC program
’'s limit of $250
million to $400 million for multiple funds under common control that were licensed after
September 30, 2009, and invested 50% of their dollars in low-income geographic areas; and
increased the SBIC program
’'s authorization level from to $5.5 billion from $3 billion in
FY2011.
136
137
The Obama Administration also recommended, as part of its Startup America Initiative (which
included the SBA
’'s $1 billion early stage debenture SBIC initiative and $1 billion impact
investment SBIC initiative), that the
112th112th Congress adopt legislation to increase the SBIC
program’ program's annual authorization to $4 billion from $3 billion. The Administration recommended as
well that the
112th112th Congress adopt legislation to increase the amount of SBA leverage available to
licensees under common control to $350 million from $225 million.
137
During the 112th138
During the 112th Congress, H.R. 3219, the Small Business Investment Company Modernization
Act of 2011, would have encouraged greater utilization of the SBIC program by increasing the
maximum amount of outstanding SBA leverage available to any single licensed SBIC from the
lesser of 300% of its private capital or $150 million to the lesser of 300% of its private capital or
$200 million if a majority of the managers of the company are experienced in managing one or
more SBIC licensed companies. It would also have increased the maximum amount of
outstanding SBA leverage available to two or more licenses under common control to $350
million from $225 million.
S. 2136, a bill to increase the maximum amount of leverage permitted under title III of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958, would have encouraged greater use of the SBIC program by
increasing the maximum amount of outstanding SBA leverage available to two or more licenses
under common control to $350 million from $225 million. It also would have increased the SBIC
program’ program's authorization level to $4 billion from $3 billion.
On March 15, 2012, S.Amdt. 1833, the INVEST in America Act of 2012, was offered on the
Senate floor as an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3606, the Jumpstart Our
Business Startups Act, which had previously passed the House. Two of the provisions in the
amendment proposed to encourage greater use of the SBIC program by (1) increasing the
maximum amount of outstanding SBA leverage available to two or more licenses under common
control to $350 million from $225 million and (2) increasing the SBIC program
’'s authorization
level to $4 billion from $3 billion. The Senate later passed H.R. 3606 with amendments, which
did not address the SBIC program. The House accepted the Senate amendments and passed the
bill, which President Obama signed into law (P.L. 112-106
).
).
S. 3442, the SUCCESS Act of 2012, and S. 3572, the Restoring Tax and Regulatory Certainty to
Small Businesses Act of 2012, would have, among other provisions, increased the SBIC
program’ program's authorization amount to $4 billion from $3 billion, increased the
multiple licenses/family of funds limit family of funds limit
135
H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, Sec. 401. Increased Investment from States;
and H.R. 5554, the Small Business Assistance and Relief Act of 2010, Sec. 591. Increased Investment from States.
136
H.R. 3854, Sec. 401. Increased Investment From States, Sec. 403. Revised Leverage Limitations For Successful
SBICs, and Sec. 408. Program Levels; and H.R. 5554, Sec. 591. Increased Investment from States, Sec. 593. Revised
Leverage Limitations for Successful SBICs, and Sec. 598. Program Levels.
137
The White House, “Startup America Legislative Agenda,” at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/
startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
to $350 million from $225 million, and annually adjusted the maximum outstanding leverage
amount available to both individual SBICs and SBICs under common control to account for
inflation.
In addition, H.R. 6504, the Small Business Investment Company Modernization Act of 2012,
which was passed by the House on December 18, 2012, would have increased the SBIC
program’s program's multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million from $225 million.
As mentioned previously, P.L. 113-76 increased the annual amount of leverage the SBA is
authorized to provide to SBICs to $4 billion from $3 billion. During the
113th113th Congress, in
addition to increasing the program
’'s authorization amount to $4 billion, S. 511, the Expanding
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial Leaders Act (EXCEL Act) would have increased the
program’s family of funds limit (the amount of outstanding leverage allowed for two or more
SBIC licenses under common control) program's multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million from $225 million. In addition, S. 1285
,
, would have, among other provisions,
also increased the program
’s 's multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350
million.
During the 114th Congress, S. 552 million.
During the 114th Congress, P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the SBIC program's multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million. Previously, S. 552, the Small Business Investment Company Capital Act of 2015,
and its House companion bill, H.R. 1023
, would have increased that limit to $350 million. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship reported S. 552 on June 10, 2015. The bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. The House Committee on Small Business reported H.R. 1023 on June 25, 2015, and the House passed it on July 13, 2015.
Discussion
, would increase the program’s family of funds limit to
$350 million. On April 23, 2015, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
reported S. 552.
Discussion
In 2010, the SBA announced that one of its goals for the SBIC program was to increase its
“ "acceptance in the marketplace and increase the number of funds licensed and the amount of
leverage issued so as to improve capital access for small businesses.
”138"139 The SBA asserted that
ARRA’ ARRA's changes to the SBIC program would help it to achieve this goal. ARRA increased the
maximum leverage available to SBICs to up
“"to three times the private capital raised by the
SBIC, or $150 million, whichever is less, and $225 million for multiple licensees under common
control” control" and increased
“"the maximum leverage amounts to $175 million for single funds and
$250 million for multiple funds under common control who are licensed after September 30,
2009, and invest 50% of their dollars in low income geographic areas.
”139
"140
As mentioned previously, advocates of increasing the SBIC program
’'s leverage limits still further
and increasing the SBIC program
’'s authorization level to $4 billion from $3 billion have argued
that these actions are necessary to help fill a perceived gap in the SBA
’s “'s "array of capital access
programs.
”140"141 In addition, they argue that the demise of the SBIC participating securities program
and the current
“underutilization”"underutilization" of the SBIC debentures program is preventing many small
firms from accessing the capital necessary to fully realize their economic potential and assist in
the national economic recovery.
141 On the other hand, others worry about the potential risk that an
138
SBA, “Fiscal Year 2011 Congressional Budget Justification and FY2009 Annual Performance Report,” p. 52, at
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/aboutsbaarticle/Congressional_Budget_Justification.pdf.
139
SBA, “SBA Project Plan, Section 505: SBIC Program Changes,” June 16, 2010, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/
default/files/recovery_act_reports/sba_sbic_plan.pdf.
140
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report
to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 3.
141
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Increasing Capital for Small
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
142 On the other hand, others worry about the potential risk that an expanded SBIC program has for the taxpayer, especially if investments are targeted at startup and
early stage small businesses which, by definition, have a more limited credit history and a higher
risk for default than businesses that have established positive cash flow.
Concluding Observations
Concluding Observations
Some, including President Obama, as most recently evidenced by his Startup America Initiative,
have argued that the SBA should be provided additional resources to assist small businesses in
acquiring capital necessary to start, continue, or expand operations and create jobs.
142143 In their
view, encouraging greater utilization of the SBIC program will increase small business access to
capital, result in higher levels of job creation and retention, and promote economic growth. For
example, on March 19, 2012, during Senate consideration of the INVEST in America Act of
2012, then-Senator Olympia Snowe argued
The amendment [S.Amdt. 1833] I and Senator Landrieu introduced would also help small
companies access capital by modifying the Small Business Investment Company, SBIC,
Program to raise the amount of SBIC debt the Small Business Administration, SBA, can
guarantee from $3 billion to $4 billion. It would also increase the amount of SBA guaranteed
debt a team of SBIC fund managers who operate multiple funds can borrow. The SBIC
provisions in this amendment have bipartisan support, are noncontroversial, come at no cost
to taxpayers and will create jobs. We do not get many bills of this kind in the Senate
anymore.
One of the most difficult challenges facing new small businesses today is access to capital.
The SBIC Program has helped companies like Apple, FedEx, Callaway Golf, and Outback
Steakhouse become household names. As entrepreneurs and other aspiring small business
owners well know, it takes money to make money. This legislation ensures that our
entrepreneurs and high-growth companies have access to the resources they need so they can
continue to drive America
’'s economic growth and job creation in these challenging times.
There is no reason why Congress should not approve this amendment to ensure capital is
getting into the hands of America
’'s job creators.
This amendment will spur investment in capital-starved startup small businesses, which will
play a critical role in leading the Nation of the devastating economic
down turndownturn from which
we have yet to emerge. For those who may be unfamiliar, despite significant entrepreneurial
demand for small amounts of capital, because of their substantial size, most private
investment funds cannot dedicate resources to transactions below $5 million. The Nation
’s
SBICs are working to fill that gap, especially even during these challenging times.143
(...continued)
Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H. Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 88-91; and Rep.
Nydia Velázquez, “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010,” House debate, Congressional Record, daily edition,
vol. 156, no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
142
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, “Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009,” House debate, Congressional
Record, daily edition, vol. 155, no. 159 (October 29, 2009), pp. H12074, H12075; Sen. Mary Landrieu, “Statements on
Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155, no. 185
(December 10, 2009), p. S12910; The White House, “Remarks by the President on Job Creation and Economic
Growth,” December 8, 2009, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-job-creation-andeconomic-growth; and The White House, “Startup America Legislative Agenda,” at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/
default/files/uploads/startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
143
Sen. Olympia Snowe, “Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol.
(continued...)
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
's SBICs are working to fill that gap, especially even during these challenging times.144
Others worry about the potential risk an expanded SBIC program may have for increasing the
federal deficit. In their view, the best means to assist small business, promote economic growth,
and create jobs is to reduce business taxes and exercise federal fiscal restraint.
144145 For example,
Representative Sam Graves, then-chair of the House Committee on Small Business, indicated in
the Small Business Committee
’'s FY2013
“"views and estimates
”" letter to the House Budget
Committee that the House Small Business Committee supported an increase in the SBIC
program’ program's authorization to $4 billion from $3 billion. However, he indicated that the committee
opposed funding for the SBA
’'s early stage debenture SBIC initiative and impact investment SBIC
initiative because of their potential to generate losses that could lead to higher SBIC fees or to the
need to provide federal funds to subsidize the SBIC program. Representative Graves wrote in the
FY2013 views and estimates letter that
The debenture SBIC program is designed to provide equity injections to small businesses
that have been operational and have a track record of cash-flow and profits. … The program
is financially sound because the structure of repayments ensures that the government will not
suffer significant losses. Thus, no changes are needed to the program and it operates on a
zero subsidy basis without an appropriation. The SBA budget is fully supportive of this
program and we concur in that recommendation, including raising the program level from $3
billion to $4 billion.
Presumably, some of the additional program level (which will cost the federal government
no money) will be used to support two new variations in the Debenture SBIC Program [the
early stage debenture SBIC initiative and the impact investment SBIC initiative] … Neither
initiative has received authority from Congress nor had its operational principles assessed by
the Committee prior to implementation. The Committee reiterates its recommendation from
last year
’'s views and estimates – no funds should be allocated from the additional debenture
program levels for these two programs. The Committee on the Budget also should provide
further protection to the existing debenture SBIC program by requiring any modifications to
the program, whether a pilot program or not, be based on a new subsidy calculation that
ensures the current debenture program will operate at zero subsidy without any increase in
fees due to losses stemming from the Impact and Early Stage Innovation programs.
145
146
The House Committee on Small Business
’'s FY2016 views and estimates letter reiterated the
committee’ committee's opposition to the funding of these two initiatives and recommended that any
modifications to the SBIC program
“"whether a pilot program or not, be based on a new subsidy
calculation that ensures the current debenture program will operate at zero subsidy without any
increase in fees.”146
(...continued)
158, no. 45 (March 19, 2012), p. S15845.
144
National Federation of Independent Business, “Payroll Tax Holiday,” Washington, DC, at http://www.nfib.com/
issues-elections/issues-elections-item/cmsid/49039/; and NFIB, “Government Spending,” Washington, DC, at
http://www.nfib.com/issues-elections/issues-elections-item/cmsid/49051/.
145
Rep. Sam Graves, “Views and Estimates of the Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013,” Washington, DC, pp. 4, 5, at http://smbiz.house.gov/
UploadedFiles/Views_and_Estimates_FY_2013.pdf. Also, see Rep. Sam Graves, “Views and Estimates of the
Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year
2012,” Washington, DC, pp. 4, 5, at http://smbiz.house.gov/UploadedFiles/
March_17_Views_and_Estimates_Letter.pdf.
146
Rep. Steve Chabot, “Views and Estimates of the Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2016,” Washington, DC, p. 6, at http://smallbusiness.house.gov/
uploadedfiles/2-12-2015_views_and_estimates_document.pdf.
Congressional Research Service
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SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
increase in fees."147
As these quotations attest, congressional debate concerning the SBIC program has primarily
involved assessments of the ability of small businesses to access capital from the private sector
and evaluations of the program
’'s risk, the effect of proposed changes on the program
’'s risk, and
the potential impact of the program
’'s risk on the federal deficit. Empirical analysis of economic
data can help inform debate concerning the ability of small businesses to access capital from the
private sector and the extent of the program
’'s risk, the effect of proposed changes on the
program’ program's risk, and the potential impact of the program
’'s risk on the federal deficit. Additional
data concerning SBIC investment impact on recipient job creation and firm survival might also
prove useful.
Congressional Research Service
36
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
prove useful.
Appendix. Small Business Eligibility Requirements
and Application Process
Small Business Eligibility Requirements
Only businesses that meet the SBA
’'s definition of
“small”"small" may participate in the SBIC program.
Businesses must meet either the SBA
’'s size standard for the industry in which they are primarily
engaged or the SBA
’'s alternative size standard for the SBIC program. SBICs use the size standard
that is most likely to qualify the company, typically the alternative size standard for the SBIC
program. The current SBIC alternative size standard, which became effective on July 14, 2014, is
tangible net worth not in excess of $19.5 million and average net income after federal income
taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years not in excess
of $6.5 million.
147148 All of a company
’'s subsidiaries, parent companies, and affiliates are considered
in determining if it meets the size standard.
In addition, since 1997, the SBA has required SBICs to set aside a specified percentage of their
financing for
“"businesses at the lower end of the permitted size range,
”" primarily because
“the
"the financial size standards applicable to the SBIC program are considerably higher than those used
in other SBA programs.
”148 "149 P.L. 111-5 requires SBICs licensed after the date of its enactment
(February 17, 2009) to certify that at least 25% of their future financing is invested in smaller
enterprises. A smaller enterprise is a company that, together with any affiliates, either has net
worth of no more than $6 million and average after-tax net income for the preceding two years of
no more than $2 million or meets the SBA
’'s size standard in the industry in which the applicant is
primarily engaged.149
147
SBA, “Small Business Size Standards: Inflation Adjustment to Monetary Based Size Standards,” 79 Federal
Register 33647-33669, June 12, 2014. The previous SBIC alternative size standard, which was established in 1994, was
tangible net worth not in excess of $18 million and average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carryover losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years not in excess of $6 million. See SBA, “Small Business Size
Standards: Increase Size Standard of Small Business Concerns Eligible for Assistance by Small Business Investment
Companies,” 59 Federal Register 16953-16956, April 8, 1994. The 1994 final rule used net worth, as opposed to
tangible net worth. In 1996, the SBA replaced net worth with tangible net worth for both the 504/CDC loan guaranty
program and the SBIC program “because items such as goodwill have no tangible value and should not be taken into
account during calculation of net worth for loan approval purposes.” See SBA, “Small Business Size Standards,” 61
Federal Register 3282, January 31, 1996. The previous alternative SBIC size standard of no more than $6 million in net
worth and no more than $2 million in after-tax net income was established in 1979. The previous alternative SBIC size
standard was a small business concern that does not have assets exceeding $9.0 million, does not have net worth in
excess of $4.0 million, and does not have after-tax average net income for the preceding two years in excess of
$400,000. See SBA, “Small Business Size Standards: Increase Size Standard of Small Business Concerns for
Assistance by Small Business Investment Companies or by Development Companies,” 44 Federal Register 55815,
September 28, 1979. Also, see 13 C.F.R. §107.700; 13 C.F.R. §107.710; 13 C.F.R. §121.301(c)(1) and 13 C.F.R.
§121.301(c)(2).
148
SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies – Leverage Eligibility and Portfolio Diversification Requirements,”
74 Federal Register 33912, July 14, 2009.
149
13 C.F.R. §107.710.
Congressional Research Service
37
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
primarily engaged.150
A SBIC licensed on or before February 17, 2009, that has not received any SBA leverage
commitments after February 17, 2009, must have at least 20% of its aggregate financing dollars
(plus 100% for leverage commitments over $90 million) invested in smaller enterprises.
150
151
A SBIC licensed on or before February 17, 2009, that has received a SBA leverage commitment
after February 17, 2009, must meet the 20% threshold (plus 100% for leverage commitments over
$90 million) for financing provided before the date of the first leverage commitment issued after
February 17, 2009, and the 25% threshold for financing made after such date.
151
152
SBICs are not allowed to invest in the following: other SBICs, finance and investment companies
or finance-type leasing companies, unimproved real estate, companies with less than 51% of their
assets and employees in the United States, passive or casual businesses (those not engaged in a
regular and continuous business operation), or companies that will use the proceeds to acquire
farmland.
152153 In addition, SBICs may not provide funds for a small business whose primary
business activity is deemed contrary to the public interest or if the funds will be used substantially
for a foreign operation.
153
154
Small Business Application Process
Small business owners interested in receiving SBIC financing can search for active SBICs using
the SBA
’'s SBIC directory.
154155 The directory provides contact information for all licensed SBICs,
sorted by state. It also includes the SBIC
’'s preferred minimum and maximum financing size
range, the type of capital provided (e.g., equity, mezzanine, subordinated debt,
1st and 2nd lien
1st and 2nd lien secured term, or preferred stock), funding stage preference (e.g., early stage, growing and
expansion stage, or later stage), industry preference (e.g., business services, manufacturing,
environmental services, or distribution), geographic preference (e.g., national, regional, or
specific state or states), and a description of the firm
’'s focus (e.g., equity capital to later stage
companies for expansion and acquisition or targeting companies with revenues of at least $5
million and profitability at the time of financing).
155
156
After locating a suitable SBIC, the small business owner presents the SBIC a business plan that
addresses the business
’'s operations, management, financial condition, and funding requirements.
The typical business plan includes the following information:
•
the name of the business as it appears on the official records of the state or
community in which
it operates;
•
the city, county, and state of the principal location and any branch offices or
facilities;
150
Ibid.
Ibid.; and SBA, “Small Business Investment Companies – Leverage Eligibility and Portfolio Diversification
Requirements,” 74 Federal Register 33912, July 14, 2009.
152
13 C.F.R. §107.720.
153
Ibid.
154
SBA, “All SBIC Licensees By State,” at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-directory.
155
Ibid.
151
Congressional Research Service
38
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
•
facilities;
the form of business organization and, if a corporation, the date and state of
incorporation;
•
a description of the business, including the principal products sold or services
rendered;
•
a history of the general development of the products or services during the past
five years (or since inception);
•
information about the relative importance of each principal product or service to
the volume of the business and its profits;
•
a description of the business
’'s real and physical property and adaptability to other
business ventures;
•
a description of technical attributes of its products and facilities;
•
detailed information about the business
’'s customer base, including potential
customers;
•
a marketing survey or economic feasibility study;
•
a description of the distribution system for the business
’'s products or services;
•
a descriptive summary of the competitive conditions in the industry in which the
business is engaged, including its competitive position relative to its largest and
smallest competitors;
•
a full explanation and summary of the business
’'s pricing policies;
•
brief resumes of the business
’'s management personnel and principal owners,
including their ages, education, and business experience;
•
banking, business, and personal references for each member of management and
for the principal owners;
•
balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last three fiscal years (or
from inception);
•
detailed projections of revenues, expenses, and net earnings for the coming year;
•
a statement of the amount of funding requested and the time requirements for the
funds;
•
the reasons for the request for funds and a description of the proposed uses; and
•
a description of the benefits the business expects to gain from the financing (e.g.,
expansion, improvement in financial position, expense reduction, or increase in
efficiency).
156
157Because SBICs typically receive hundreds of business plans per year, the SBA recommends that
small business owners seek a personal referral or introduction to the particular SBIC fund
manager being targeted to increase
“the likelihood that the business plan will be carefully
156
Small Business Investor Alliance (formerly the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies),
“SBIC Financing: Step-by-Step,” Washington, DC, at http://www.sbia.org/?page=sbic_financing.
Congressional Research Service
39
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program
considered.”157 According to the Small Business Investor Alliance, “a thorough study an SBIC
must undertake before it can make a final decision could take several weeks or longer.”158
Author Contact Information
Robert Jay Dilger
Senior Specialist in American National Government
rdilger@crs.loc.gov, 7-3110
157
SBA, “SBIC Program: Seeking Financing for your Small Business,” at https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/
ooi/resources/4905.
158
Small Business Investor Alliance (formerly the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies),
“SBIC Financing: Step-by-Step,” Washington, DC, at http://www.sbia.org/?page=sbic_financing.
Congressional Research Service
40
"the likelihood that the business plan will be carefully considered."158 According to the Small Business Investor Alliance, "a thorough study an SBIC must undertake before it can make a final decision could take several weeks or longer."159
Author Contact Information
[author name scrubbed], Senior Specialist in American National Government
([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Footnotes
| 1.
|
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), "Fiscal Year 2017 Congressional Budget Justification and FY2015 Annual Performance Report," pp. 2-4, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FY17-CBJ_FY15-APR.pdf.
|
| 2.
|
15 U.S.C. §661.
|
| 3.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Banking and Currency, Small Business Investment Act of 1958, report to accompany S.3651, 85th Cong., 2nd sess., June 30, 1958, H.Rept. 85-2060 (Washington: GPO, 1958), pp. 4, 5.
|
| 4.
|
Ibid., p. 5.
|
| 5.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015," at https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/sbia.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Docs/SBICProgramOverview_-_Q12016.pdf.
|
| 6.
|
Ibid.
|
| 7.
|
According to a U.S. Government Accountability report released on January 27, 2016, "About 70% (130 of 187) of debenture SBICs—the most common SBIC fund type—were managed by 69 multiple licensees in 2014.... The proportion of debenture SBICs managed by multiple licensees has sharply increased, rising from about 20% in 2005 to about 70% in 2014... For debenture SBICs specifically, multiple licensees also increased their share of total SBA leverage during 2005–2014. These SBICs held about 24% of SBA leverage in 2005, but about 74% of the approximately $7 billion in SBA leverage in 2014.... from 2009 to 2014, no more than 2.8% of multiple licensees reached the then-applicable $225 million leverage limit ... The Small Business Investor Alliance and some SBIC fund managers told us they believed the leverage limit nonetheless has a significant effect because it deters some SBIC managers who want to substantially grow their fund over the long-term from continuing to participate in the program.... SBIC characteristics, including geographic distribution and management demographics, were largely similar for single and multiple licensees.... Multiple licensees, in the aggregate, demonstrated better investment performance than single licensees from 2005 to 2014." See U.S. Government Accountability Office, Small Business Investment Companies: Characteristics and Investment Performance of Single and Multiple Licensees, GAO-16-107, January 27, 2016, pp. 8, 10, 11, 13, at http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/674813.pdf.
|
| 8.
|
P.L. 92-595, the Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1972.
|
| 9.
|
A debenture SBIC may issue and have outstanding both guaranteed debentures and participating securities, provided that the total amount of participating securities outstanding does not exceed 200% of its private capital. See 13 C.F.R. §107.1170. The SBA stopped issuing new commitments for participating securities on October 1, 2004.
|
| 10.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.50.
|
| 11.
|
Ibid.
|
| 12.
|
Commercial banks may invest up to 5% of their capital and surplus to partially or wholly own a SBIC. Bank investments in a SBIC are presumed by federal regulatory agencies to be a "qualified investment" for Community Reinvestment Act purposes. See P.L. 90-104, the Small Business Act Amendments of 1967; The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board, "Small Business Investment Companies," 33 Federal Register 6967, May 9, 1968; and SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs)," Small Business Notes, 2009, at http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/business-finances/small-business-investment-companies-sbics.html.
|
| 13.
|
SBA, "For SBIC Applicants: Phase III: Licensing Review," at https://www.sba.gov/content/phase-iii-licensing-review.
|
| 14.
|
SBA, "For SBIC Applicants: Phase I, Initial Review," at https://www.sba.gov/content/phase-i-initial-review.
|
| 15.
|
A control person is generally defined as someone with the power to direct corporate management and policies.
|
| 16.
|
General partners in most private equity and hedge funds are compensated in two ways. First, to the extent that they contribute their capital in the funds, they share in the appreciation of the assets. Second, they charge the limited partners two kinds of annual fees: a percentage of total fund assets (usually in the 1% to 2% range) and a percentage of the fund's earnings (usually 15% to 25%, once specified benchmarks are met). The latter performance fee is called "carried interest" and is treated, or characterized, as capital gains under current tax rules. See CRS Report RS22717, Taxation of Private Equity and Hedge Fund Partnerships: Characterization of Carried Interest, by [author name scrubbed].
|
| 17.
|
SBA, "SBIC Management Assessment Questionnaire and License Application: Form 2181," at https://www.sba.gov/content/application-forms.
|
| 18.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of September 30, 2015," at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/WebSBICProgramOverview_September2015.pdf.
|
| 19.
|
SBA "Expedited Licensing for Impact SBICs Applying for an Impact SBIC License," at https://www.sba.gov/content/expedited-licensing-impact-sbics.
|
| 20.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 77 Federal Register 25052, April 27, 2012.
|
| 21.
|
Ibid.
|
| 22.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.210.
|
| 23.
|
Ibid.
|
| 24.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.150.
|
| 25.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.230.
|
| 26.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Private Equity for Small Firms: The Importance of the Participating Securities Program, 109th Cong., 1st sess., April 13, 2005, Serial No. 109-10 (Washington: GPO, 2005), pp. 5, 33; and SBA, "SBIC Program: FAQs 7. What is the status of the Participating Securities Program?" at https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
|
| 27.
|
SBA, "Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A," February 19, 2009, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
|
| 28.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1500. A SBIC that wishes to be eligible to issue participating securities must have regulatory capital of at least $10 million unless it can demonstrate to the SBA's satisfaction that it can be financially viable over the long-term with a lower amount, but not less than $5 million. See 13 C.F.R. §107.210. It must also maintain sufficient liquidity to avoid a condition of "Liquidity Impairment," defined as a liquidity ratio (total current funds available divided by total current funds required) of less than 1.2. See 13 C.F.R. §107.1505. The only type of debt, other than leverage, than a SBIC that has applied to issue participating securities or have outstanding participating securities is permitted to incur is temporary debt. Temporary debt is defined as short-term borrowings from a regulated financial institution, a regulated credit company, or a non-regulated lender approved by the SBA for the purpose of maintaining the SBIC's operating liquidity or providing funds for a particular financing of a small business. The total outstanding borrowings, not including leverage, may not exceed 50% of a SBIC's leveraged capital, and all such borrowings must be fully paid off for at least 30 consecutive days during a SBIC's fiscal year so that it has no outstanding third-party debt for 30 days. See 13 C.F.R. §107.570. A SBIC issuing participating securities is required to invest an amount equal to the original issue price of such securities solely in equity capital investments (e.g., common or preferred stock, limited partnership interests, options, warrants, or similar equity instruments). See 13 C.F.R. §107.1505.
|
| 29.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee Markup of Legislation Affecting the SBA Capital Access Programs, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 8, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-050 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 7, 10, 11, 187-194; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Increasing Capital for Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 1, 2, 40, 98; and U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 3, 4, 10-12.
|
| 30.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015," at https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/sbia.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Docs/SBICProgramOverview_-_Q12016.pdf. There were 149 participating securities SBICs at the end of FY2008, 127 at the end of FY2009, 107 at the end of FY2010, 97 at the end of FY2011, 86 at the end of FY2012, 63 at the end of FY2013, 53 at the end of FY2014, and 46 at the end of FY2015.
|
| 31.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.210.
|
| 32.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.150.
|
| 33.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.230.
|
| 34.
|
SBA, "Impact Investment Initiative," at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Impact_Investment_Call_for_Action.pdf; and SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, "Correspondence with the author," July 31, 2014.
|
| 35.
|
The SBA defines underserved communities as low or moderate income (LMI) enterprises located in LMI Zones, as defined in 13 C.F.R. 107.50; qualified low-income community investments (QLICIs) located in low-income communities (LICs), as defined by the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program in 26 C.F.R. 1.45D-1(d)1; rural business concerns located in rural areas as defined in 7 C.F.R. 4290.502; and, small business concerns located in economically distressed areas (EDAs), as defined by Section 3013 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act (PWEDA) of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3161.
|
| 36.
|
SBA, "SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70 Million Bump in its Impact Investment Fund," June 6, 2013, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-50-million-increase-match-its-sbic-early-stage-fund-and-70-million-bump-its.
|
| 37.
|
SBA, "Impact Investment Fund Grows Threefold," January 27, 2015, at https://www.sba.gov/content/impact-investment-fund-grows-threefold; and SBA, "Directory of Impact SBICs," at https://www.sba.gov/content/directory-impact-sbics.
|
| 38.
|
Ibid.; and SBA Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, "Correspondence with the author," November 12, 2015.
|
| 39.
|
SBA, "SBA Expands Impact Investment Fund," September 25, 2014, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-expands-impact-investment-fund.
|
| 40.
|
Ibid.
|
| 41.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 77 Federal Register 25043, 25050, April 27, 2012.
|
| 42.
|
Ibid., pp. 25051-25053.
|
| 43.
|
Ibid., p. 25043.
|
| 44.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 77 Federal Register 25775-25779, May 1, 2012. Applicants must complete first complete a Management Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ), then, if invited, complete an interview process, then receive a Green Light letter from the SBA, and, finally, submit the SBIC license application, consisting of SBA Form 2181 and SBA Form 2182.
|
| 45.
|
SBA, "SBA's Growth Capital Program Sets Record For Third Year in a Row $2.95 Billion in Financing for Small Businesses in FY12," at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbas-growth-capital-program-sets-record-third-year-row; and SBA, "The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program: Annual Report FY2012," p. 20, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/SBIC%20Program%20FY%202012%20Annual%20Report.pdf.
|
| 46.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 77 Federal Register 74908-74913, December 18, 2012; SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 79 Federal Register 6665, February 4, 2014; SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 79 Federal Register 18750, April 3, 2014; SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 80 Federal Register 1575-1579, January 12, 2015; and SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 81 Federal Register 5508-5511, February 2, 2016.
|
| 47.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies‒Early Stage," 80 Federal Register 14034, March 18, 2015; and SBA, Office of Innovation and Investment, slides, "SBIC Early Stage Innovation Program," at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/OII_Early_Stage_Slide_Deck_January_2016.pdf.
|
| 48.
|
SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, "Correspondence with the author," November 12, 2015.
|
| 49.
|
SBA, Office of Innovation and Investment, slides, "SBIC Early Stage Innovation Program," at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/articles/OII_Early_Stage_Slide_Deck_January_2016.pdf.
|
| 50.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies‒Early Stage," 80 Federal Register 14034, March 18, 2015.
|
| 51.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.800. A SBIC is not allowed to become a general partner in any unincorporated business or become jointly or severally liable for any obligations of an unincorporated business.
|
| 52.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.810; and 13 C.F.R. §107.840.
|
| 53.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.815. Debt securities are instruments evidencing a loan with an option or any other right to acquire equity securities in a small business or its affiliates, a loan that by its terms is convertible into an equity position, or a loan with a right to receive royalties that are excluded from the cost of money.
|
| 54.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.820.
|
| 55.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.730.
|
| 56.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.865. The period of time that a SBIC may exercise control over a small business for purposes connected with its investment through ownership of voting securities, management agreements, voting trusts, majority representation on the board of directors, or otherwise is "limited to the seventh anniversary of the date on which such control was initially acquired, or any earlier date specified by the terms of any investment agreement." With the SBA's prior written approval, a SBIC "may retain control for such additional period as may be reasonably necessary to complete divestiture of control or to ensure the financial stability of the portfolio company."
|
| 57.
|
A tier of SBA leverage equals the amount of a SBIC's private (regulatory) capital. A SBIC approved for less than two tiers of SBA leverage must not invest more than 20% of its private capital in any one small business if the SBIC's plan contemplates one tier of leverage and no more than 25% of its private capital if its plan contemplates 1.5 tiers of leverage. See 13 C.F.R. §107.740; and SBA, "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Implementation of SBIC Program Changes," letter from Harry Haskins, acting associate administrator for Investment, to All Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and Applicants, May 4, 2009, p. 2.
|
| 58.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.720.
|
| 59.
|
Ibid.
|
| 60.
|
Ibid. A SBIC may provide venture capital financing to disadvantaged concerns engaged in relending or reinvesting activities (except agricultural credit companies and banking and savings and loan institutions not insured by a federal agency). Without SBA approval, these financings, at the end of the fiscal year, may not exceed a SBIC's regulatory capital. A disadvantaged concern is defined as a small business that is at least 50% owned, controlled, and managed, on a day-to-day basis, by a person or persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic disadvantages.
|
| 61.
|
The SBA has a general interest rate ceiling of 19% for a loan and 14% for a debt security, with provisions for a higher interest rate under specified circumstances. See 13 C.F.R. §107.855. A SBIC is allowed to collect a nonrefundable application fee of no more than 1% of the amount of financing requested from a small business to review its financing application, a closing fee of no more than 2% of the amount of financing requested from a small business concern for a loan, charged no earlier than the date of the first disbursement, and a closing fee of no more than 4% of the amount of financing requested from a small business concern for a debt security or equity security financing, charged no earlier than the date of the first disbursement. A SBIC is also allowed to charge a small business for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, other than management expenses incurred to process the small business's financing application. See 13 C.F.R. §107.860.
|
| 62.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies," 64 Federal Register 52645, September 30, 1999.
|
| 63.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies," 64 Federal Register 52641-52646, September 30, 1999. LMI Zones are areas located in a HUBZone; an Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; a Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise Community as designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; an area of low income or moderate income as recognized by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council; or a county with persistent poverty as classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. See 13 C.F.R. §107.50.
|
| 64.
|
SBA, "For SBICs: Background Information on Low or Moderate Income (LMI) Debentures," at https://www.sba.gov/content/low-or-moderate-income-lmi-debentures.
|
| 65.
|
SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, "Correspondence with the author," March 11, 2016. In FY2014, SBICs made 475 investments in small businesses located in a LMI Zone, totaling $1.03 billion—about 18.8% of the total amount invested See SBA, "SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September 2014."
|
| 66.
|
P.L. 110-140, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, §1205. Energy Saving Debentures.
|
| 67.
|
SBA, "Energy Saving Debentures: FAQs," at https://www.sba.gov/content/energy-savings-debentures-faqs.
|
| 68.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1100.
|
| 69.
|
SBA, "Funding the SBIC Program: An Overview," at https://www.sba.gov/content/funding-sbic-program-overview. The SBA is required by statute to issue guarantees "at periodic intervals of not less than every 12 months and shall do so at such shorter intervals as it deems appropriate, taking into consideration the amount and number of such guarantees or trust certificates." See 15 U.S.C. §687m.
|
| 70.
|
SBA, "Funding the SBIC Program: An Overview," at https://www.sba.gov/content/funding-sbic-program-overview.
|
| 71.
|
Ibid.
|
| 72.
|
To view recent SBIC debenture offering circulars see SBA, "SBIC Debentures Offering Circulars," at https://www.sba.gov/category/lender-navigation/sba-loan-programs/sbic-program/program-data-performance/information-tru-1.
|
| 73.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1130; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1210. The annual fee for debentures at the time of the leverage commitment in FY2016 is 0.672%. The annual fee was 0.742% in FY2015, and 0.355% in FY2014. The participating securities program is no longer issuing new leverage commitments. See SBA, "SBIC Program: Annual Charge," at https://www.sba.gov/content/annual-charge.
|
| 74.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1120; 13 C.F.R. §107.1150; and SBA, "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Implementation of SBIC Program Changes," letter from Harry Haskins, Acting Associate Administrator for Investment, to All Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and Applicants, May 4, 2009, p. 1.
|
| 75.
|
P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, authorized debenture SBICs licensed on or after October 1, 2009 to elect to have a maximum leverage amount of $175 million per SBIC and $250 million for two or more licenses under common control if it has invested at least 50% of its financings in low-income geographic areas and certifies that at least 50% of its future investments will be in low-income geographic areas. P.L. 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the multiple licenses/family of funds limit to $350 million from $225 million. The act did not address the multiple licenses/family of funds limit for financings in low-income geographic areas. Presumably, SBICs would apply the $350 million multiple licenses/family of funds limit for all of its financings, including those in low-income geographic areas. See 13 C.F.R. §107.1150. According to 13 C.F.R. §108.50, a low-income area is
(1) any population census tract that has a poverty rate that is not less than 20% or (a) if located within a metropolitan area, 50% or more of the households in that census tract have an income equal to less than 60% of the area median gross income; or (b) if not located within a metropolitan area, the median household income in that census tract does not exceed 80% of the statewide median household income; or (c) has been determined by the SBA Administrator to contain a substantial population of low-income individuals in residence, an inadequate access to investment capital, or other indications of economic distress; or (2) any area located within (i) a Historically Underutilized Business Zone; (ii) an Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community (as designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development); or (iii) a Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise Community (as designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture).
|
| 76.
|
One debenture has a term of 10 years and 29 weeks. See SBA, "Offering Circular, $1,192,235,000, Guaranteed 2.829% Debenture Participation Certificates, Series SBIC 2015-10 B," September 14, 2015, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-2015-10-b-cusip-831641-fe0.
|
| 77.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs)," Small Business Notes, 2009, at http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/business-finances/small-business-investment-companies-sbics.html; and SBA, "For SBIC Applicants: Financing Options Explained," at https://www.sba.gov/content/financing-options-explained.
|
| 78.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.50; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1150.
|
| 79.
|
The coupon (interest) rate on SBA debentures is based on the 10-year Treasury rate (adjusted to the nearest 1/8th of 1%) plus a market-driven spread, currently about 70-90 basis points. See 13 C.F.R. §107.50; and SBA, "Trust Certificate Rates: SBIC Debenture Pools," at https://www.sba.gov/content/trust-certificate-rates-sbic-debenture-pools. The coupon rate for the most recent sale of a SBA debenture certificate, which took place on September 16, 2014, was 3.015%.
|
80.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 11; and SBA, "SBIC Program: FAQs: 8. What investment styles and fund types fit best with the SBIC Program?" at https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
| 81.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1170.
|
| 82.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1500; and SBA, "Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A," February 19, 2009, pp. 7, 14, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
|
| 83.
|
SBA, "Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A," February 19, 2009, p. 2, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
|
| 84.
|
Ibid., pp. 2, 3. Also, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Private Equity for Small Firms: The Importance of the Participating Securities Program, 109th Cong., 1st sess., April 13, 2005, Serial No. 109-10 (Washington: GPO, 2005), p. 5.
|
| 85.
|
The coupon rate for the most recent sale of a SBA guaranteed participating securities participation certificate, which took place on February 25, 2009, was 4.727%. SBA, "Offering Circular, Guaranteed 4.727% Participating Securities Participation Certificates, Series SBIC-PS 2009-10 A," February 19, 2009, p. 1, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-ps-2009-10-cusip-831641-ep6.
|
86.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 11; and SBA, "SBIC Program: FAQs 7. What is the status of the Participating Securities Program?" at https://www.sba.gov/content/faqs.
| 87.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015," at https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/sbia.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Docs/SBICProgramOverview_-_Q12016.pdf.
|
| 88.
|
Ibid.
|
| 89.
|
SBA, "Impact Investment Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") Fund," p. 1, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Impact_Investment_Call_for_Action.pdf.
|
| 90.
|
SBA, "SBA Licenses First Impact Investment Fund in Michigan," July 26, 2011, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-licenses-first-impact-investment-fund-michigan. The license was dated April 25, 2011. Mezzanine financing is a hybrid of debt and equity financing and is typically used to finance the expansion of an existing business. It provides the lender the right to convert to an ownership or equity interest in the company if the loan is not paid back in time and in full. It is generally subordinated to debt provided by senior lenders such as banks and venture capital companies. Another license was awarded to SJF Ventures, which has offices in New York, San Francisco, and Durham. It reportedly will serve a licensing and oversight role and will not receive leverage from the SBA. See "SBA chooses firm with a clean-tech profile as its newest investment partner, Washington Post, March 8, 2012, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/sba-chooses-firm-with-a-clean-tech-profile-as-its-newest-investment-partner/2012/03/08/gIQAKgmPzR_story.html.
|
| 91.
|
SBA, "Start-Up America Impact Investment SBIC Initiative Policy Update," September 26, 2012, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/External%20Impact%20Memo%202012-09-26%20final.pdf; and SBA, "SBA Announces $50 Million Increase Match in its SBIC Early Stage Fund and $70 Million Bump in its Impact Investment Fund," June 6, 2013, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-announces-50-million-increase-match-its-sbic-early-stage-fund-and-70-million-bump-its.
|
| 92.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies—Early Stage SBICs," 77 Federal Register 25052, April 27, 2012.
|
| 93.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1181. The required reserve is reduced on each payment date upon payment of the required interest and charges.
|
| 94.
|
SBA, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, "Correspondence with the author," May 2, 2012.
|
| 95.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.630; and 13 C.F.R. §107.690.
|
| 96.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.640.
|
| 97.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.650.
|
| 98.
|
Ibid.
|
| 99.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.660.
|
| 100.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015," at https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/sbia.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Docs/SBICProgramOverview_-_Q12016.pdf.
|
| 101.
|
SBA, "FY 2012 Congressional Budget Justification and FY 2010 Annual Performance Report," p. 60, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/aboutsbaarticle/FINAL%20FY%202012%20CBJ%20FY%202010%20APR_0.pdf. The SBA issued 6 new SBIC licenses (5 to debenture SBICs and 1 to a bank-owned/non-leveraged SBIC) in FY2008; 11 new SBIC licenses (8 to debenture SBICs and 3 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2009; and 23 new SBIC licenses (21 to debenture SBICs and 2 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2010. The SBA issued 22 new SBIC licenses (18 to debenture SBICs and 4 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2011; 30 new SBIC licenses (27 to debenture SBICs and 3 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2012; 34 new SBIC licenses (29 to debenture SBICs and 5 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2013; 30 new SBIC licenses (24 to debenture SBICs and 6 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2014; and 25 new SBIC licenses (22 to debenture SBICs and 3 to bank-owned, non-leveraged SBICs) in FY2015.
|
| 102.
|
SBA, "Offering Circular, $1,192,235,000, Guaranteed 2.829% Debenture Participation Certificates, Series SBIC 2015-10 B," September 14, 2015, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-2015-10-b-cusip-831641-fe0. The SBA has a selected list of firms that have received SBIC financing, including Apple Computer, Compaq Computer, Costco Wholesale Corporation, FedEx, Intel, Jenny Craig, Inc., Outback Steakhouse, Sports Authority, Staples, and Sun Microsystems, on its website. See SBA, "SBIC Program Overview," at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-program-overview.
|
| 103.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Overview, as of December 31, 2015," at https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/sbia.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/Docs/SBICProgramOverview_-_Q12016.pdf.
|
| 104.
|
Ibid.
|
| 105.
|
Ibid.
|
| 106.
|
Ibid.
|
| 107.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2013 and September 2014."
|
| 108.
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Venture Capital Association, "MoneyTree™ Report, National Aggregate Data," at http://www.pwcmoneytree.com/.
|
| 109.
|
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, "The Debenture Small Business Investment Company Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity," Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, January 2008, p. 3, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
|
| 110.
|
Ibid., p. 1.
|
| 111.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program Licensees Financing to Small Businesses Reported Between October 2014 and September 2015."
|
| 112.
|
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, "The Debenture Small Business Investment Company Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity," Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 2, 26, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
|
| 113.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Legislation Updating and Improving the SBA's Investment and Surety Bond Programs, 110th Cong., 1st sess., September 6, 2007, Serial Number 110-44 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 15.
|
| 114.
|
Ibid.
|
| 115.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing On Increasing Capital For Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, committee document no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 89.
|
| 116.
|
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, "The Debenture Small Business Investment Company Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity," Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 3, 18-24, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
|
| 117.
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Venture Capital Association, "Venture Capital Investments, Regional Aggregate Data," at https://www.pwcmoneytree.com/Reports/Homepage%20RegionalAgg.xlsx.
|
| 118.
|
Kenneth Temkin and Brett Theodos, with Kerstin Gentsch, "The Debenture Small Business Investment Company Program: A Comparative Analysis of Investment Patterns with Private Venture Capital Equity," Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, January 2008, pp. 3, 11-17, at http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411601_sbic_gap_analysis.pdf.
|
| 119.
|
Ibid., p. 11.
|
| 120.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1120; and 13 C.F.R. §107.1150. Previously, "the total principal amount of outstanding debentures and participating securities guaranteed by SBA and issued by any SBIC or group of commonly controlled SBICs may not, in general, exceed at any one time an amount equal to three times such SBIC's Private Capital or $130.6 million, whichever is less, of which no more than two times the SBIC's Private Capital may be represented by participating securities. Such dollar limit has been adjusted annually to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index since March 31, 1993." See SBA, "Offering Circular, Guaranteed 5.725% Debenture Participation Certificates, Series SBIC 2008-10 B," September 18, 2008, at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-2008-10-b-cusip-831641-en1.
|
| 121.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1150; and 13 C.F.R. §107.710.
|
| 122.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.1150.
|
| 123.
|
The White House, "Startup America Legislative Agenda," January 31, 2012, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
|
| 124.
|
Rep. Edward Perlmutter, "Providing for Further Consideration of H.R. 5297, Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, Roll No. 368," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156, no. 91 (June 17, 2010), pp. H4608, H4609.
|
| 125.
|
H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010, §399L. Definitions.
|
| 126.
|
Ibid. The nine targeted industries are agricultural technology, energy technology, environmental technology, life science, information technology, digital media, clean technology, defense technology, and photonics technology. A similar $200 million Small Business Early Stage Investment Program was included in H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, which was passed by the House on October 29, 2009, by a vote of 389-32. It is awaiting action in the Senate.
|
| 127.
|
Sen. Al Franken, "Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010," Rollcall Vote No. 237 Leg., Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156, part 125 (September 16, 2010), p. S7158.
|
| 128.
|
P.L. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, §1131. Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program.
|
| 129.
|
SBA, "Small Businesses Have New Non-Profit Sources for SBA-financed Loans," August 4, 2011, at https://www.sba.gov/content/small-businesses-have-new-non-profit-sources-sba-financed-loans.
|
| 130.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315, p. 2. For the arguments presented by various organizations advocating programs to assist early stage small businesses and startups, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Finance and Tax Hearing on Legislative Proposals to Reform the SBA's Capital Access Programs, 111th Cong., 1st sess., July 23, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-039 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 10-12, 60-67; and U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Increasing Access to Capital for Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 33-35, 50-54, 63-69, 86-99.
|
| 131.
|
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, "Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010," House debate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156, no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
|
| 132.
|
Rep. Sam Graves, "Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010," House debate, Congressional Record, vol. 156, no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
|
| 133.
|
Ibid; and Rep. Jeff Flake, "Small Business Early Stage Investment Act of 2009," House debate, Congressional Record, vol. 155, no. 171 (November 18, 2009), p. H13083. Note: H.R. 3738, the Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act of 2009, was one of eight bills merged into H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, and was later added to H.R. 5297, Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, by H.Res. 1436.
|
| 134.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing On Increasing Capital For Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H.Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 32, 87.
|
| 135.
|
Ibid., pp. 88, 89.
|
| 136.
|
H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, §401. Increased Investment from States; and H.R. 5554, the Small Business Assistance and Relief Act of 2010, §591. Increased Investment from States.
|
| 137.
|
H.R. 3854, §401. Increased Investment From States, §403. Revised Leverage Limitations For Successful SBICs, and §408. Program Levels; and H.R. 5554, §591. Increased Investment from States, §593. Revised Leverage Limitations for Successful SBICs, and §598. Program Levels.
|
| 138.
|
The White House, "Startup America Legislative Agenda," at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
|
| 139.
|
SBA, "Fiscal Year 2011 Congressional Budget Justification and FY2009 Annual Performance Report," p. 52, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/aboutsbaarticle/Congressional_Budget_Justification.pdf.
|
| 140.
|
SBA, "SBA Project Plan, Section 505: SBIC Program Changes," June 16, 2010, at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/recovery_act_reports/sba_sbic_plan.pdf.
|
| 141.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, report to accompany H.R. 3854, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 26, 2009, H.Rept. 111-315 (Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 3.
|
| 142.
|
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Small Business, Full Committee Hearing on Increasing Capital for Small Business, 111th Cong., 1st sess., October 14, 2009, H. Doc. no. 111-051 (Washington: GPO, 2009), pp. 88-91; and Rep. Nydia Velázquez, "Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010," House debate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 156, no. 90 (June 16, 2010), p. H4516.
|
| 143.
|
Rep. Nydia Velázquez, "Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009," House debate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155, no. 159 (October 29, 2009), pp. H12074, H12075; Sen. Mary Landrieu, "Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions," remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 155, no. 185 (December 10, 2009), p. S12910; The White House, "Remarks by the President on Job Creation and Economic Growth," December 8, 2009, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-job-creation-and-economic-growth; and The White House, "Startup America Legislative Agenda," at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/startup_america_legislative_agenda.pdf.
|
| 144.
|
Sen. Olympia Snowe, "Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act," remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 158, no. 45 (March 19, 2012), p. S15845.
|
145.
|
National Federation of Independent Business, "Payroll Tax Holiday," Washington, DC, at http://www.nfib.com/issues-elections/issues-elections-item/cmsid/49039/; and NFIB, "Government Spending," Washington, DC, at http://www.nfib.com/issues-elections/issues-elections-item/cmsid/49051/.
| 146.
|
Rep. Sam Graves, "Views and Estimates of the Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013," Washington, DC, pp. 4, 5, at http://smbiz.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Views_and_Estimates_FY_2013.pdf. Also, see Rep. Sam Graves, "Views and Estimates of the Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2012," Washington, DC, pp. 4, 5, at http://smbiz.house.gov/UploadedFiles/March_17_Views_and_Estimates_Letter.pdf.
|
| 147.
|
Rep. Steve Chabot, "Views and Estimates of the Committee on Small Business on Matters to be set forth in the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2016," Washington, DC, p. 6, at http://smallbusiness.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2-12-2015_views_and_estimates_document.pdf.
|
| 148.
|
SBA, "Small Business Size Standards: Inflation Adjustment to Monetary Based Size Standards," 79 Federal Register 33647-33669, June 12, 2014. The previous SBIC alternative size standard, which was established in 1994, was tangible net worth not in excess of $18 million and average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years not in excess of $6 million. See SBA, "Small Business Size Standards: Increase Size Standard of Small Business Concerns Eligible for Assistance by Small Business Investment Companies," 59 Federal Register 16953-16956, April 8, 1994. The 1994 final rule used net worth, as opposed to tangible net worth. In 1996, the SBA replaced net worth with tangible net worth for both the 504/CDC loan guaranty program and the SBIC program "because items such as goodwill have no tangible value and should not be taken into account during calculation of net worth for loan approval purposes." See SBA, "Small Business Size Standards," 61 Federal Register 3282, January 31, 1996. The previous alternative SBIC size standard of no more than $6 million in net worth and no more than $2 million in after-tax net income was established in 1979. The previous alternative SBIC size standard was a small business concern that does not have assets exceeding $9.0 million, does not have net worth in excess of $4.0 million, and does not have after-tax average net income for the preceding two years in excess of $400,000. See SBA, "Small Business Size Standards: Increase Size Standard of Small Business Concerns for Assistance by Small Business Investment Companies or by Development Companies," 44 Federal Register 55815, September 28, 1979. Also, see 13 C.F.R. §107.700; 13 C.F.R. §107.710; 13 C.F.R. §121.301(c)(1) and 13 C.F.R. §121.301(c)(2).
|
| 149.
|
SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies – Leverage Eligibility and Portfolio Diversification Requirements," 74 Federal Register 33912, July 14, 2009.
|
| 150.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.710.
|
| 151.
|
Ibid.
|
| 152.
|
Ibid.; and SBA, "Small Business Investment Companies – Leverage Eligibility and Portfolio Diversification Requirements," 74 Federal Register 33912, July 14, 2009.
|
| 153.
|
13 C.F.R. §107.720.
|
| 154.
|
Ibid.
|
| 155.
|
SBA, "All SBIC Licensees By State," at https://www.sba.gov/content/sbic-directory.
|
| 156.
|
Ibid.
|
| 157.
|
Small Business Investor Alliance (formerly the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies), "SBIC Financing: Step-by-Step," Washington, DC, at http://www.sbia.org/?page=sbic_financing.
|
| 158.
|
SBA, "SBIC Program: Seeking Financing for your Small Business," at https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ooi/resources/4905.
|
| 159.
|
Small Business Investor Alliance (formerly the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies), "SBIC Financing: Step-by-Step," Washington, DC, at http://www.sbia.org/?page=sbic_financing.
|