Small Business Funding

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It's a little surreal to imagine the Small Business Administration (SBA) amidst videos of Susan Boyle and animated dancing pandas, but they've been part of the YouTube generation for two months now. It's not setting the world on fire, but it is there, where the SBA can put its videos within reach of anyone, of course, but particularly those under 35, which the agency has made clear they'd like to reach.

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Although the SBA got $1 billion from the stimulus package earlier this year, it can still be difficult to get money to start or expand your business -- unless you know where to look. Read as Steve Strauss shares tips on often-overlooked financing ideas that could be just the thing for you.

Seth Wenig, AP

CIT Group, the giant small business lender, filed for a "pre-packaged bankruptcy" Sunday night carrying some $71 billion in assets, after last ditch attempts to avert such an outcome failed. The development will keep the doors open at the 101-year-old small business lender, but there will be heavy losses, including, most likely, $2.3 billion in taxpayer bailout funds.

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While obtaining a loan may be challenging amid the current economic climate, you can increase your viability as a loan candidate by taking steps to prepare for that initial meeting with a lender.

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While many people expect a slow Christmas selling season thanks to the recession, retailers fear the situation could be even worse than expected if CIT Group is allowed to fail.

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Facing soaring losses, small business credit card lender Advanta is shutting down accounts and tells investors it will try to wait out the downturn.

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Obama's $15 billion plan to loosen credit gets high marks from entrepreneurs.