Chase has exceeded its goal of providing $10 billion of credit to American small businesses in 2010. The loans were extended to more than 250,000 small businesses with annual sales of less than $20 million by Chase’s Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Business Card businesses.
Year-to-date, Chase’s lending to small businesses is up more than 40%. Chase is now ranked the #1 Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in America.
“Small businesses are putting these loans to use every day in cities and towns all across the country, creating jobs and helping our economy get back on its feet,” said Michael Cleary, CEO of Business Banking in Retail Financial Services.
“Lending is the heart of our business and what drives the economy,” said Todd Maclin, CEO of the Commercial Bank. “Without credit, our clients don’t grow and we don’t grow.”
“Credit Cards are a crucial foundation for small businesses, and we are proud to offer a suite of business credit cards devoted to one thing: helping small businesses grow,” said Richard Quigley, President of Ink from Chase.
Following the financial crisis, Chase has developed a number of programs to help increase the volume of loans to small businesses. These included:
* Hiring 500 Business Bankers in the last 14 months.
* Developing a Second Look credit review process for businesses that have been turned down for a loan and seek further review. The Second Look program has approved more than $250 million in additional loans since late 2009.
* Creating a Loan for Hire program to reward small businesses for hiring new employees. Chase reduces the interest rate on a company’s line of credit by 0.5% for each employee they hire, up to three.
JPMorgan Chase also helps its communities in many other ways, including branch banking, community development lending and mortgage modifications. In addition, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation increased its giving by 50% in 2010, extending $150 million in grants to programs that support Community Development, Education and Arts & Culture.
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