Inside the Shake Up in the Federal Lending Landscape | Jan. 28, 2025

In this episode of SBA Today, hosts Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek delve into the whirlwind of executive orders and their impact on the Small Business Administration.

With humor and insight, they tackle the suspension of federal financial aid programs, a discussion on potential changes to size standards, and address widespread uncertainty faced by SBA lenders. Tanya even lightens the mood with a catchy ditty summarizing the current state of affairs in Washington. 

Paul and Tanya also spotlight the firing of a dozen Inspectors General, including Hannibal Mike Ware, who shares his experience of sudden termination in an exclusive interview. The departure of DEI officials and a federal hiring freeze further fuel the conversation as they speculate on potential consequences for SBA operations. The episode also touches on the looming confirmation hearing for Kelly Loeffler and the intriguing list of recommendations by Joni Ernst aimed at streamlining SBA activities and reducing mismanagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 300 executive orders have been issued, with significant implications for the SBA and federal financial aid programs, yet SBA is currently unaffected.
• Hannibal Mike Ware, former Inspector General of the SBA, speaks out about his unexpected firing by the White House.
• DEI office closures and a federal hiring freeze suggest substantial shifts in the government's approach to diversity and management.
• The SBA is under scrutiny for fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic's relief programs, highlighting the need for oversight and reform.
• Joni Ernst proposes changes to address inefficiencies within the SBA, focusing on improving loan program management.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer.