Small Business Administration (SBA) – Global Investment Law Watch

United States: Potential Increase to Debenture Limit for Levered Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs)?

Feb 26 2025

By: TJ Bright, Matthew F. Phillips, and Kate E. Miller

Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which invest in qualifying small businesses in the United States, are eligible to receive Small Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed debentures at favorable rates to finance their investment activities. Standard SBIC debentures typically have 10-year terms with interest payments due semi-annually, and a lump-sum payment of the principal at maturity.

United States: Modernized SBIC Program Hits Milestones

Feb 27 2024

By: TJ Bright, Matt F. Phillips, and Tristen C. Rodgers

For the past two decades, the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program (the SBIC Program) has primarily offered one type of government-guaranteed loan to private investment funds holding an SBIC license (SBICs): the “Standard SBIC Debenture.” This loan requires private funds to pay the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) interest semi-annually, which closely aligns with the cash flow patterns of mezzanine debt and private credit funds. As a result, the ecosystem of debt-focused SBICs has thrived. However, the SBIC Program has been less attractive to funds with equity-oriented strategies.

Tag:Small Business Administration (SBA)