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Move To Reduce Restrictions on COVID-19 Loans for People with Records

Federal officials on Friday agreed to ease restrictions that blocked some people with criminal records from receiving small-business loans needed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Small Business Administration will no longer disqualify applicants who have been convicted of a crime over the last five years, instead adjusting the restrictions to loan-seekers who are less than a year removed from their conviction. Loan applicants who have been convicted of financial crimes, such as bribery and embezzlement, in the last five years would still be prohibited from securing emergency assistance for their business through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Officials Reduce Barriers to COVID-19 Loans for People with Records