Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — Community banks would be able tap a $30 billion government fund to help them increase lending to small businesses under a bill working its way toward a vote in the Senate.
Democrats say banks should be able to use the lending fund to leverage up to $300 billion in loans to small businesses, helping to loosen tight credit markets. The fund would be available to banks with less than $10 billion in assets.
The measure is part of a bill that also would provide a series of tax breaks aimed at small businesses. The House passed a bill establishing a similar lending fund in June.
