Thank you, Captain Obvious

"Thank you, Captain Obvious!"  I heard that phrase years ago from a comedian, making fun of comments made by sportscasters as they provided commentary on football games (read - "You know, John, in order for this team to win the game, they have to get that ball over the goal line more times than their opponent."  Thank you, Captain Obvious!)

The June 4th issue of USA Today included this headline:  "Bernanke says small businesses need loans".  Bernanke himself was quoted as saying, "Getting loans flowing more normally to creditworthy small businesses will help the economic recovery."

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

It's no secret that small and mid-sized businesses employ 65% of the American people.  It's no secret that these same businesses will drive the economic recovery. And based on the endless repetition of basically the same news stories for the last year, it's no secret that these businesses are not getting the support that they need.

Here are some obvious, but apparently not so obvious to everyone, solutions:

• Our government should stop with stating the obvious problems and realize that their own policies and regulations are a large part of creating and extending the problem.

• Some regulation is good, especially if it helps steer lenders away from making bad loans, and keeps them from putting 90% of their eggs in one basket (read - real estate loan concentrations).  But excessive regulatory oversight is keeping these same lenders from doing what Bernanke says they should do. Get out of the way and let our banks get back to lending.

• Get the SBA back on track.  A recent report said that although SBA lending has increased in the last year, only 4% of outstanding small business loans are guaranteed through the SBA's flagship lending program (WSJ 5/14/10 "Bailout Missed Main Street, New Report Says").

But until those things happen, support the specialty lenders that are getting the job done.  You don't read many stories about the asset-based lenders and specialty finance companies that are supporting small and mid-sized businesses all across America.  You can read about Sam's Club, which is now stepping up to provide loans to small businesses, but you don't hear much about the rest of us.

We've done some cool stuff these last few months.  For example, a popular brand of gelato and ice cream sits in your favorite store because we are helping them grow their business.  Who else are we helping to succeed?  A popular ladies' apparel designer; a manufacturer of pre-baked cookies that you'll find in your grocery store.  And other companies that you won't see.  Like the company that sells surveillance systems, or the company that provides behavioral health services, or the company that provides on-site medical case management services.

We are here to support our banking friends and other lenders during these interesting days.  We do well throughout all swings in the economy, but we are especially busy now as we have a greater number of opportunities available to us.  If we can help you or one of your clients, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Get out of the way, Captain Obvious.  We're actually doing something here.