SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION[Docket No. SBA-2020-0015]
13 CFR Part 120
Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program
RIN 3245-AH34
AGENCY:U. S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION:Interim Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This interim final rule announces the implementation of sections 1102 and1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or theAct). Section 1102 of the Act temporarily adds a new product, titled the “Paycheck
Protection Program,” to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 7(a) Loan
Program. Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal
amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. The
Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness are intended to provide economic
relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration (COVID-19 Emergency Declaration) issued
by President Trump on March 13, 2020. This interim final rule outlines the key
provisions of SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act in formal
guidance and requests public comment.
DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective [INSERT DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Applicability Date: This interim final rule applies to applications submitted under the
Paycheck Protection Program through June 30, 2020, or until funds made available forthis purpose are exhausted.
Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYSAFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
You may submit comments, identified by number SBA-2020-0015 through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submittingcomments.
SBA will post all comments on www.regulations.gov. If you wish to submit
confidential business information (CBI) as defined in the User Notice atwww.regulations.gov, please send an email to dianna.seaborn@sba.gov. Highlight the
information that you consider to be CBI and explain why you believe SBA should holdthis information as confidential. SBA will review the information and make the final
determination whether it will publish the information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The local SBA Field Office; the list of
offices can be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I.

Background Information

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency
declaration for all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. With the COVID-19
emergency, many small businesses nationwide are experiencing economic hardship as adirect result of the Federal, State, and local public health measures that are being taken to2minimize the public’s exposure to the virus. These measures, some of which aregovernment-mandated, are being implemented nationwide and include the closures ofrestaurants, bars, and gyms. In addition, based on the advice of public health officials,
other measures, such as keeping a safe distance from others or even stay-at-home orders,are being implemented, resulting in a dramatic decrease in economic activity as the
public avoids malls, retail stores, and other businesses.
On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (the CARES Act or the Act) (P.L. 116-136) to provide emergency assistanceand health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by thecoronavirus pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) received funding andauthority through the Act to modify existing loan programs and establish a new loan
program to assist small businesses nationwide adversely impacted by the COVID-19
emergency.
Section 1102 of the Act temporarily permits SBA to guarantee 100 percent of 7(a)loans under a new program titled the “Paycheck Protection Program.” Section 1106 of
the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans
guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. A more detailed discussion ofsections 1102 and 1106 of the Act is found in section III below.
II.

Comments and Immediate Effective Date

The intent of the Act is that SBA provide relief to America’s small businesses
expeditiously. This intent, along with the dramatic decrease in economic activity
nationwide, provides good cause for SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective
date provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Specifically, small businesses need3

to be informed on how to apply for a loan and the terms of the loan under section 1102 of
the Act as soon as possible because the last day to apply for and receive a loan is June 30,
2020. The immediate effective date of this interim final rule will benefit small businesses
so that they can immediately apply for the loan with a full understanding of loan terms
and conditions. This interim final rule is effective without advance notice and publiccomment because section 1114 of the Act authorizes SBA to issue regulations to
implement Title 1 of the Act without regard to notice requirements. This rule is being
issued to allow for immediate implementation of this program. Although this interim
final rule is effective immediately, comments are solicited from interested members of
the public on all aspects of the interim final rule, including section III below. These
comments must be submitted on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. The SBA will consider thesecomments and the need for making any revisions as a result of these comments.
III.

Temporary New Business Loan Program: Paycheck Protection Program

Overview
The CARES Act was enacted to provide immediate assistance to individuals,
families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 emergency. Among the provisions
contained in the CARES Act are provisions authorizing SBA to temporarily guaranteeloans under a new 7(a) loan program titled the “Paycheck Protection Program.” Loansguaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be 100 percent guaranteedby SBA, and the full principal amount of the loans may qualify for loan forgiveness. The
following outlines the key provisions of the PPP.
1. General

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SBA is authorized to guarantee loans under the PPP through June 30, 2020. Congress
authorized a program level of $349,000,000,000 to provide guaranteed loans under thisnew 7(a) program. The intent of the Act is that SBA provide relief to America’s small
businesses expeditiously, which is expressed in the Act by giving all lenders delegatedauthority and streamlining the requirements of the regular 7(a) loan program. For
example, for loans made under the PPP, SBA will not require the lenders to comply withsection 120.150 “What are SBA’s lending criteria?.” SBA will allow lenders to rely on
certifications of the borrower in order to determine eligibility of the borrower and use ofloan proceeds and to rely on specified documents provided by the borrower to determine
qualifying loan amount and eligibility for loan forgiveness. Lenders must comply withthe applicable lender obligations set forth in this interim final rule, but will be held
harmless for borrowers’ failure to comply with program criteria; remedies for borrower
violations or fraud are separately addressed in this interim final rule. The program
requirements of the PPP identified in this rule temporarily supersede any conflicting Loan
Program Requirement (as defined in 13 CFR 120.10).
2. What Do Borrowers Need to Know and Do?
a. Am I eligible?
You are eligible for a PPP loan if you have 500 or fewer employees whose
principal place of residence is in the United States, or are a business that operates
in a certain industry and meet the applicable SBA employee-based size standards
for that industry, and:i. You are:5

A.

A small business concern as defined in section 3 of the

Small Business Act (15 USC 632), and subject to SBA’s affiliation
rules under 13 CFR 121.301(f) unless specifically waived in theAct;
B.

A tax-exempt nonprofit organization described in section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), a tax-exempt
veterans organization described in section 501(c)(19) of the IRC,
Tribal business concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C) of the
Small Business Act, or any other business; andii. You were in operation on February 15, 2020 and either had employees forwhom you paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors,
as reported on a Form 1099-MISC.
You are also eligible for a PPP loan if you are an individual who operates
under a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor or eligible selfemployed individual, you were in operation on February 15, 2020.
You must also submit such documentation as is necessary to establish
eligibility such as payroll processor records, payroll tax filings, or Form 1099MISC, or income and expenses from a sole proprietorship. For borrowers that
do not have any such documentation, the borrower must provide othersupporting documentation, such as bank records, sufficient to demonstrate thequalifying payroll amount.

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SBA intends to promptly issue additional guidance with regard to theapplicability of affiliation rules at 13 CFR §§ 121.103 and 121.301 to PPPloans.
b. Could I be ineligible even if I meet the eligibility requirements in (a) above?
You are ineligible for a PPP loan if, for example:
i. You are engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local
law;
ii. You are a household employer (individuals who employ household
employees such as nannies or housekeepers);iii. An owner of 20 percent or more of the equity of the applicant isincarcerated, on probation, on parole; presently subject to an indictment,
criminal information, arraignment, or other means by which formal
criminal charges are brought in any jurisdiction; or has been convicted of afelony within the last five years; oriv. You, or any business owned or controlled by you or any of your owners,
has ever obtained a direct or guaranteed loan from SBA or any other
Federal agency that is currently delinquent or has defaulted within the last
seven years and caused a loss to the government.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury (theSecretary), determined that household employers are ineligible because they are
not businesses. 13 CFR 120.100.
c. How do I determine if I am ineligible?

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Businesses that are not eligible for PPP loans are identified in 13 CFR 120.110
and described further in SBA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 50 10,
Subpart B, Chapter 2, except that nonprofit organizations authorized under the
Act are eligible. (SOP 50 10 can be found at https://www.sba.gov/document/sop50-10-5-lender-development-company-loan-programs.)
d. I have determined that I am eligible. How much can I borrow?
Under the PPP, the maximum loan amount is the lesser of $10 million or an
amount that you will calculate using a payroll-based formula specified in the Act,as explained below.
e. How do I calculate the maximum amount I can borrow?
The following methodology, which is one of the methodologies contained in theAct, will be most useful for many applicants.
i. Step 1: Aggregate payroll costs (defined in detail below in f.) from the lasttwelve months for employees whose principal place of residence is theUnited States.
ii. Step 2: Subtract any compensation paid to an employee in excess of anannual salary of $100,000 and/or any amounts paid to an independent
contractor or sole proprietor in excess of $100,000 per year.
iii. Step 3: Calculate average monthly payroll costs (divide the amount from
Step 2 by 12).
iv. Step 4: Multiply the average monthly payroll costs from Step 3 by 2.5.
v. Step 5: Add the outstanding amount of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan
(EIDL) made between January 31, 2020 and April 3, 2020, less the8amount of any “advance” under an EIDL COVID-19 loan (because it does
not have to be repaid).
The examples below illustrate this methodology.
i. Example 1 – No employees make more than $100,000
Annual payroll: $120,000
Average monthly payroll: $10,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $25,000
Maximum loan amount is $25,000
ii. Example 2 – Some employees make more than $100,000
Annual payroll: $1,500,000
Subtract compensation amounts in excess of an annual salary of$100,000: $1,200,000
Average monthly qualifying payroll: $100,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $250,000
Maximim loan amount is $250,000
iii. Example 3 – No employees make more than $100,000, outstanding EIDL
loan of $10,000.
Annual payroll: $120,000
Average monthly payroll: $10,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $25,000
Add EIDL loan of $10,000 = $35,000
Maximum loan amount is $35,000

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iv. Example 4 – Some employees make more than $100,000, outstanding
EIDL loan of $10,000
Annual payroll: $1,500,000
Subtract compensation amounts in excess of an annual salary of$100,000: $1,200,000
Average monthly qualifying payroll: $100,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $250,000
Add EIDL loan of $10,000 = $260,000
Maximum loan amount is $260,000
f. What qualifies as “payroll costs?”
Payroll costs consist of compensation to employees (whose principal place ofresidence is the United States) in the form of salary, wages, commissions, orsimilar compensation; cash tips or the equivalent (based on employer records ofpast tips or, in the absence of such records, a reasonable, good-faith employer
estimate of such tips); payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sickleave; allowance for separation or dismissal; payment for the provision of
employee benefits consisting of group health care coverage, including insurance
premiums, and retirement; payment of state and local taxes assessed oncompensation of employees; and for an independent contractor or sole proprietor,
wage, commissions, income, or net earnings from self-employment or similarcompensation.
g. Is there anything that is expressly excluded from the definition of payroll costs?
Yes. The Act expressly excludes the following:10

i. Any compensation of an employee whose principal place of residence is
outside of the United States;
ii. The compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annual salaryof $100,000, prorated as necessary;iii. Federal employment taxes imposed or withheld between February 15,2020 and June 30, 2020, including the employee’s and employer’s shareof FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and Railroad Retirement
Act taxes, and income taxes required to be withheld from employees; andiv. Qualified sick and family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under
sections 7001 and 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act(Public Law 116–127).
h. Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of PPP loancalculations?
No, independent contractors have the ability to apply for a PPP loan on their own
so they do not count for purposes of a borrower’s PPP loan calculation.
i. What is the interest rate on a PPP loan?
The interest rate will be 100 basis points or one percent.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that a one
percent interest rate is appropriate. First, it provides low cost funds to borrowers
to meet eligible payroll costs and other eligible expenses during this temporary
period of economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus. Second, for lenders,the 100 basis points offers an attractive interest rate relative to the cost of fundingfor comparable maturities. For example, the FDIC’s weekly national average rate

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for a 24-month CD deposit product for the week of March 30, 2020 is 42 basis
points for non-jumbo and 44 basis points for jumbo(https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/). Third, the interest rate ishigher than the yield on Treasury securities of comparable maturity. For example,
the yield on the Treasury two-year note is approximately 23 basis points. Thishigher yield combined with the fact that the loans are 100 percent guaranteed by
the SBA and the fact that lenders will receive a substantial processing fee fromthe SBA provide ample inducement for lenders to participate in the PPP.
j. What will be the maturity date on a PPP loan?
The maturity is two years. While the Act provides that a loan will have amaximum maturity of up to ten years from the date the borrower applies for loan
forgiveness (described below), the Administrator, in consultation with theSecretary, determined that a two year loan term is sufficient in light of thetemporary economic dislocations caused by the coronavirus. Specifically, theconsiderable economic disruption caused by the coronavirus is expected to abate
well before the two year maturity date such that borrowers will be able to recommence business operations and pay off any outstanding balances on their PPP
loans.
k. Can I apply for more than one PPP loan?
No. The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that no
eligible borrower may receive more than one PPP loan. This means that if you
apply for a PPP loan you should consider applying for the maximum amount.
While the Act does not expressly provide that each eligible borrower may only

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receive one PPP loan, the Administrator has determined, in consultation with theSecretary, that because all PPP loans must be made on or before June 30, 2020, a
one loan per borrower limitation is necessary to help ensure that as many eligible
borrowers as possible may obtain a PPP loan. This limitation will also help
advance Congress’ goal of keeping workers paid and employed across the UnitedStates.
l. Can I use e-signatures or e-consents if a borrower has multiple owners?
Yes, e-signature or e-consents can be used regardless of the number of owners.
m. Is the PPP “first-come, first-served?”
Yes.
n. When will I have to begin paying principal and interest on my PPP loan?
You will not have to make any payments for six months following the date of
disbursement of the loan. However, interest will continue to accrue on PPP loans
during this six-month deferment. The Act authorizes the Administrator to deferloan payments for up to one year. The Administrator determined, in consultation
with the Secretary, that a six-month deferment period is appropriate in light of themodest interest rate (one percent) on PPP loans and the loan forgivenessprovisions contained in the Act.
o. Can my PPP loan be forgiven in whole or in part?
Yes. The amount of loan forgiveness can be up to the full principal amount of theloan and any accrued interest. That is, the borrower will not be responsible forany loan payment if the borrower uses all of the loan proceeds for forgiveablepurposes described below and employee and compensation levels levels are13maintained. The actual amount of loan forgiveness will depend, in part, on the
total amount of payroll costs, payments of interest on mortgage obligations
incurred before February 15, 2020, rent payments on leases dated before February
15, 2020, and utility payments under service agreements dated before February
15, 2020, over the eight-week period following the date of the loan. However, notmore than 25 percent of the loan forgiveness amount may be attributable to nonpayroll costs. While the Act provides that borrowers are eligible for forgivenessin an amount equal to the sum of payroll costs and any payments of mortgage
interest, rent, and utilities, the Administrator has determined that the non-payroll
portion of the forgivable loan amount should be limited to effectuate the core
purpose of the statute and ensure finite program resources are devoted primarily
to payroll. The Administrator has determined in consultation with the Secretarythat 75 percent is an appropriate percentage in light of the Act’s overarching focus
on keeping workers paid and employed. Further, the Administrator and theSecretary believe that applying this threshold to loan forgiveness is consistent
with the structure of the Act, which provides a loan amount 75 percent of which isequivalent to eight weeks of payroll (8 weeks / 2.5 months = 56 days / 76 days =74 percent rounded up to 75 percent). Limiting non-payroll costs to 25 percent of
the forgiveness amount will align these elements of the program, and will also
help to ensure that the finite appropriations available for PPP loan forgiveness are
directed toward payroll protection. SBA will issue additional guidance on loan
forgiveness.

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p. Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of PPP loan
forgiveness?
No, independent contractors have the ability to apply for a PPP loan on their own
so they do not count for purposes of a borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness.
q. What forms do I need and how do I submit an application?
The applicant must submit SBA Form 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program
Application Form) and payroll documentation, as described above. The lendermust submit SBA Form 2484 (Paycheck Protection Program Lender’sApplication for 7(a) Loan Guaranty) electronically in accordance with program
requirements and maintain the forms and supporting documentation in its files.
r. How can PPP loans be used?
The proceeds of a PPP loan are to be used for:i. payroll costs (as defined in the Act and in 2.f.);ii. costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during
periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums;
iii. mortgage interest payments (but not mortgage prepayments or principal
payments);
iv. rent payments;
v. utility payments;
vi. interest payments on any other debt obligations that were incurred before
February 15, 2020; and/orvii. refinancing an SBA EIDL loan made between January 31, 2020 and April
3, 2020. If you received an SBA EIDL loan from January 31, 202015

through April 3, 2020, you can apply for a PPP loan. If your EIDL loan
was not used for payroll costs, it does not affect your eligibility for a PPP
loan. If your EIDL loan was used for payroll costs, your PPP loan must be
used to refinance your EIDL loan. Proceeds from any advance up to$10,000 on the EIDL loan will be deducted from the loan forgivenessamount on the PPP loan.
However, at least 75 percent of the PPP loan proceeds shall be used for payroll
costs. For purposes of determining the percentage of use of proceeds for payroll
costs, the amount of any EIDL refinanced will be included. For purposes of loan
forgiveness, however, the borrower will have to document the proceeds used for
payroll costs in order to determine the amount of forgiveness. While the Act
provides that PPP loan proceeds may be used for the purposes listed above and forother allowable uses described in section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15U.S.C. 636(a)), the Administrator believes that finite appropriations and thestructure of the Act warrant a requirement that borrowers use a substantial portionof the loan proceeds for payroll costs, consistent with Congress’ overarching goalof keeping workers paid and employed. As with the similar limitation on theforgiveness amount explained earlier, the Administrator, in consultation with theSecretary, has determined that 75 percent is an appropriate percentage that willalign this element of the program with the loan amount, 75 percent of which isequivalent to eight weeks of payroll. This limitation on use of the loan funds will
help to ensure that the finite appropriations available for these loans are directed16

toward payroll protection, as each loan that is issued depletes the appropriation,
regardless of whether portions of the loan are later forgiven.
s. What happens if PPP loan funds are misused?
If you use PPP funds for unauthorized purposes, SBA will direct you to repay
those amounts. If you knowingly use the funds for unauthorized purposes, youwill be subject to additional liability such as charges for fraud. If one of yourshareholders, members, or partners uses PPP funds for unauthorized purposes,
SBA will have recourse against the shareholder, member, or partner for theunauthorized use.
t. What certifications need to be made?
On the Paycheck Protection Program application, an authorized representative of
the applicant must certify in good faith to all of the below:1
i. The applicant was in operation on February 15, 2020 and had employees
for whom it paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent
contractors, as reported on a Form 1099-MISC.
ii. Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support
the ongoing operations of the applicant.
iii. The funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or makemortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments; I
understand that if the funds are knowingly used for unauthorized purposes,
the federal government may hold me legally liable such as for charges of1

A representative of the applicant can certify for the business as a whole if the representative is legallyauthorized to do so.

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fraud. As explained above, not more than 25 percent of loan proceeds
may be used for non-payroll costs.
iv. Documentation verifying the number of full-time equivalent employees on
payroll as well as the dollar amounts of payroll costs, covered mortgage
interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered utilities for theeight week period following this loan will be provided to the lender.
v. Loan forgiveness will be provided for the sum of documented payroll
costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, andcovered utilities. As explained above, not more than 25 percent of theforgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs.
vi. During the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on
December 31, 2020, the applicant has not and will not receive another loan
under this program.
vii. I further certify that the information provided in this application and theinformation provided in all supporting documents and forms is true andaccurate in all material respects. I understand that knowingly making a
false statement to obtain a guaranteed loan from SBA is punishable under
the law, including under 18 USC 1001 and 3571 by imprisonment of not
more than five years and/or a fine of up to $250,000; under 15 USC 645
by imprisonment of not more than two years and/or a fine of not more than
$5,000; and, if submitted to a federally insured institution, under 18 USC
1014 by imprisonment of not more than thirty years and/or a fine of not
more than $1,000,000.

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viii.

I acknowledge that the lender will confirm the eligible loan amountusing tax documents I have submitted. I affirm that these tax documents
are identical to those submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. I also
understand, acknowledge, and agree that the Lender can share the tax
information with SBA’s authorized representatives, including authorized
representatives of the SBA Office of Inspector General, for the purpose ofcompliance with SBA Loan Program Requirements and all SBA reviews.
3. What Do Lenders Need to Know and Do?
a. Who is eligible to make PPP loans?
i. All SBA 7(a) lenders are automatically approved to make PPP loans on adelegated basis.
ii. The Act provides that the authority to make PPP loans can be extended toadditional lenders determined by the Administrator and the Secretary tohave the necessary qualifications to process, close, disburse, and service
loans made with the SBA guarantee. Since SBA is authorized to make
PPP loans up to $349 billion by June 30, 2020, the Adminstrator and theSecretary have jointly determined that authorizing additional lenders isnecessary to achieve the purpose of allowing as many eligible borrowers
as possible to receive loans by the June 30, 2020 deadline.
iii. The following types of lenders have been determined to meet the criteria
and are eligible to make PPP loans unless they currently are designated inTroubled Condition by their primary federal regulator or are subject to a19formal enforcement action with their primary federal regulator that
addresses unsafe or unsound lending practices:I.

Any federally insured depository institution or any federally
insured credit union;II.

Any Farm Credit System institution (other than the Federal
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation) as defined in 12 U.S.C.
2002(a) that applies the requirements under the Bank Secrecy
Act and its implementing regulations (collectively, BSA) as afederally regulated financial institution, or functionallyequivalent requirements that are not altered by this rule;
and

III.

Any depository or non-depository financing provider thatoriginates, maintains, and services business loans or othercommercial financial receivables and participation interests;
has a formalized compliance program; applies therequirements under the BSA as a federally regulated financial
institution, or the BSA requirements of an equivalentfederally regulated financial institution; has been operating
since at least February 15, 2019, and has originated,maintained, and serviced more than $50 million in businessloans or other commercial financial receivables during a
consecutive 12 month period in the past 36 months, or is aservice provider to any insured depository institution that has

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a contract to support such institution’s lending activities inaccordance with 12 U.S.C. § 1867(c) and is in good standing
with the appropriate Federal banking agency.
iv. Qualified institutions described in 3.a.iii. I. and II. will be automaticallyqualified under delegated authority by the SBA upon transmission of
CARES Act Section 1102 Lender Agreement (SBA Form 3506) unlessthey currently are designated in Troubled Condition by their primaryfederal regulator or are subject to a formal enforcement action by theirprimary federal regulator that addresses unsafe or unsound lending
practices.
b. What do lenders have to do in terms of loan underwriting?
Each lender shall:i. Confirm receipt of borrower certifications contained in Paycheck
Protection Program Application form issued by the Administration;
ii. Confirm receipt of information demonstrating that a borrower had
employees for whom the borrower paid salaries and payroll taxes on oraround February 15, 2020;
iii. Confirm the dollar amount of average monthly payroll costs for thepreceding calendar year by reviewing the payroll documentation submittedwith the borrower’s application; andiv. Follow applicable BSA requirements:
I.

Federally insured depository institutions and federally
insured credit unions should continue to follow their existing

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BSA protocols when making PPP loans to either new orexisting customers who are eligible borrowers under the PPP.
PPP loans for existing customers will not require reverification under applicable BSA requirements, unlessotherwise indicated by the institution’s risk-based approachto BSA compliance.
II.

Entities that are not presently subject to the requirements of
the BSA, should, prior to engaging in PPP lending activities,
including making PPP loans to either new or existingcustomers who are eligible borrowers under the PPP,
establish an anti-money laundering (AML) complianceprogram equivalent to that of a comparable federally
regulated institution. Depending upon the comparable
federally regulated institution, such a program may include acustomer identification program (CIP), which includes
identifying and verifying their PPP borrowers’ identities(including e.g., date of birth, address, and taxpayer
identification number), and, if that PPP borrower is acompany, following any applicable beneficial ownership
information collection requirements. Alternatively, if
available, entities may rely on the CIP of a federally insured
depository institution or federally insured credit union withan established CIP as part of its AML program. In either

22instance, entities should also understand the nature andpurpose of their PPP customer relationships to develop
customer risk profiles. Such entities will also generally haveto identify and report certain suspicious activity to the U.S.
Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network (FinCEN). If such entities have questions withregard to meeting these requirements, they should contact the
FinCEN Regulatory Support Section at FRC@fincen.gov.
In addition, FinCEN has created a COVID-19-specificcontact channel, via a specific drop-down category, forentities to communicate to FinCEN COVID-19-related
concerns while adhering to their BSA obligations. Entities
that wish to communicate such COVID-19-related concerns
to FinCEN should go to www.FinCEN.gov, click on “NeedAssistance,” and select “COVID19” in the subject drop-down
list.
Each lender’s underwriting obligation under the PPP is limited to the items above
and reviewing the “Paycheck Protection Application Form.” Borrowers must
submit such documentation as is necessary to establish eligibility such as payroll
processor records, payroll tax filings, or Form 1099-MISC, or income andexpenses from a sole proprietorship. For borrowers that do not have any such
documentation, the borrower must provide other supporting documentation, suchas bank records, sufficient to demonstrate the qualifying payroll amount.

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c. Can lenders rely on borrower documentation for loan forgiveness?
Yes. The lender does not need to conduct any verification if the borrower submits
documentation supporting its request for loan forgiveness and attests that it has
accurately verified the payments for eligible costs. The Administrator will holdharmless any lender that relies on such borrower documents and attestation from aborrower. The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, has determinedthat lender reliance on a borrower’s required documents and attestation isnecessary and appropriate in light of section 1106(h) of the Act, which prohibits
the Administrator from taking an enforcement action or imposing penalties if thelender has received a borrower attestation.
d. What fees will lenders be paid?
SBA will pay lenders fees for processing PPP loans in the following amounts:i.

Five (5) percent for loans of not more than $350,000;

ii.

Three (3) percent for loans of more than $350,000 and less than
$2,000,000; andiii.

One (1) percent for loans of at least $2,000,000.

e. Do lenders have to apply the “credit elsewhere test”?
No. When evaluating an applicant’s eligibility lenders will not be required toapply the “credit elsewhere test” (as set forth in section 7(a)(1)(A) of the Small
Business Act (15 USC 636) and SBA regulations at 13 CFR 120.101)).
4. What do Both Borrowers and Lenders Need to Know and Do?
a. What are the loan terms and conditions?

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Loans will be guaranteed under the PPP under the same terms, conditions andprocesses as other 7(a) loans, with certain changes including but not limited to:i.

The guarantee percentage is 100 percent.

ii.

No collateral will be required.

iii.

No personal guarantees will be required.

iv.

The interest rate will be 100 basis points or one percent.

v.

All loans will be processed by all lenders under delegated authority andlenders will be permitted to rely on certifications of the borrower in orderto determine eligibility of the borrower and the use of loan proceeds.

b. Are there any fee waivers?
i. There will be no up-front guarantee fee payable to SBA by the Borrower;
ii. There will be no lender’s annual service fee (“on-going guaranty fee”)
payable to SBA;
iii. There will be no subsidy recoupment fee; andiv. There will be no fee payable to SBA for any guarantee sold into thesecondary market.
c. Who pays the fee to an agent who assists a borrower?
Agent fees will be paid by the lender out of the fees the lender receives from
SBA. Agents may not collect fees from the borrower or be paid out of the PPPloan proceeds. The total amount that an agent may collect from the lender forassistance in preparing an application for a PPP loan (including referral to thelender) may not exceed:i. One (1) percent for loans of not more than $350,000;
ii. 0.50 percent for loans of more than $350,000 and less than $2 million; and25

iii. 0.25 percent for loans of at least $2 million.
The Act authorizes the Administrator to establish limits on agent fees. The
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that the agent fee
limits set forth above are reasonable based upon the application req uirements andthe fees that lenders receive for making PPP loans.
d. Can PPP loans be sold into the secondary market?
Yes. A PPP loan may be sold on the secondary market after the loan is fully
disbursed. A PPP loan may be sold on the secondary market at a premium or adiscount to par value. SBA will issue guidance regarding any advance purchasefor loans sold in the secondary market.
e. Can SBA purchase some or all of the loan in advance?
Yes. A lender may request that the SBA purchase the expected forgivenessamount of a PPP loan or pool of PPP loans at the end of week seven of thecovered period. The expected forgiveness amount is the amount of loan principal
the lender reasonably expects the borrower to expend on payroll costs, covered
mortgage interest, covered rent, and covered utility payments during the eightweek period after loan disbursement. At least 75 percent of the expected
forgiveness amount shall be for payroll costs, as provided in 2.o. To submit a
PPP loan or pool of PPP loans for advance purchase, a lender shall submit a report
requesting advance purchase with the expected forgiveness amount to the SBA.
The report shall include: the Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
(SBA Form 2483) and any supporting documentation submitted with suchapplication; the Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s Application for 7(a) Loan
Guaranty (SBA Form 2484) and any supporting documentation; a detailed
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narrative explaining the assumptions used in determining the expected
forgiveness amount, the basis for those assumptions, alternative assumptions
considered, and why alternative assumptions were not used; any information
obtained from the borrower since the loan was disbursed that the lender used todetermine the expected forgiveness amount, which should include the same
documentation required to apply for loan forgiveness such as payroll tax filings,
cancelled checks, and other payment documentation; and any additional
information the Administrator may require to determine whether the expected
forgiveness amount is reasonable. The Administrator, in consultation with theSecretary, determined that seven weeks is the minimum period of time necessary
for a lender to reasonably determine the expected forgiveness amount for a PPP
loan or pool of PPP loans, since the PPP is a new program and the likelihood thatmany borrowers will be new clients of the lender. The expected forgivenessamount may not exceed the total amount of principal on the PPP loan or pool ofloans. The Administrator will purchase the expected forgiveness amount of the
PPP loan(s) within 15 days of the date on which the Administrator receives acomplete report that demonstrates that the expected forgiveness amount is indeed
reasonable.
5. Additional Information
All loans guaranteed by the SBA pursuant to the CARES Act will be made consistent
with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory protections for religious liberty, including
the First Amendment to the Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42
U.S.C. 2000bb-1 and bb-3, and SBA regulation at 13 C.F.R. 113.3-1h, which provides:

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“Nothing in [SBA nondiscrimination regulations] shall apply to a religious corporation,
association, educational institution or society with respect to the membership or theemployment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with thecarrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution or society of its
religious activities.” SBA intends to promptly issue additional guidance with regard to
religious liberty protections under this program.
SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices and a program
guide which will be posted on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.
Questions on the Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) Loans may be directed to theLender Relations Specialist in the local SBA Field Office. The local SBA Field Office
may be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
Compliance with Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13132, and 13771, the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601612).
EO 12866 and EO 13563
This interim final rule is economically significant for the purposes of Executive
Orders 12866 and 13563. SBA, however, is proceeding under the emergency provision at
Executive Order 12866 Section 6(a)(3)(D) based on the need to move expeditiously to
mitigate the current economic conditions arising from the COVID–19 emergency. This
rule’s designation under Executive Order 13771 will be informed by public comment.
This rule is necessary to implement Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act inorder to provide economic relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted
under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration. We anticipate that this rule will result in28

substantial benefits to small businesses, their employees, and the communities they
serve. However, we lack data to estimate the effects of this rule.
Executive Order 12988
SBA has drafted this rule, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the standards
set forth in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. The rule has no preemptive or retroactive effect.
Executive Order 13132
SBA has determined that this rule will not have substantial direct effects on theStates, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various layers of government.
Therefore, SBA has determined that this rule has no federalism implications warranting
preparation of a federalism assessment.
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.Chapter 35
SBA has determined that this rule will impose recordkeeping or reporting
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (“PRA”). SBA has obtained
emergency approval under OMB Control Number 3245-0407 for the informationcollection (IC) required to implement the program described above. This IC consists ofForm 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program Application Form), SBA Form 2484
(Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s Application for 7(a) Loan Guaranty), and SBAForm 3506 (CARES Act Section 1102 Lender Agreement), and is approved for use until
September 30, 2020.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)29

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when an agency issues a
proposed rule, or a final rule pursuant to section 553(b) of the APA or another law, theagency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis that meets the requirements of the
RFA and publish such analysis in the Federal Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically,
the RFA normally requires agencies to describe the impact of a rulemaking on small
entities by providing a regulatory impact analysis. Such analysis must address theconsideration of regulatory options that would lessen the economic effect of the rule on
small entities. The RFA defines a ‘‘small entity’’ as (1) a proprietary firm meeting thesize standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit organizationthat is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small government jurisdiction with a populationof less than 50,000. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)–(6). Except for such small government jurisdictions,
neither State nor local governments are ‘‘small entities.’’ Similarly, for purposes of the
RFA, individual persons are not small entities.
The requirement to conduct a regulatory impact analysis does not apply if the head of
the agency “certifies that the rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities.” 5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must,however, publish the certification in the Federal Register at the time of publication of therule, “along with a statement providing the factual basis for such certification.” If theagency head has not waived the requirements for a regulatory flexibility analysis inaccordance with the RFA’s waiver provision, and no other RFA exception applies, theagency must prepare the regulatory flexibility analysis and publish it in the Federal
Register at the time of promulgation or, if the rule is promulgated in response to an

30emergency that makes timely compliance impracticable, within 180 days of publicationof the final rule. 5 U.S.C. 604(a), 608(b).
Rules that are exempt from notice and comment are also exempt from the RFA
requirements, including conducting a regulatory flexibility analysis, when among otherthings the agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Small Business Administration’s Officeof Advocacy guide: How to Comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Ac. Ch.1. p.9.
Accordingly, SBA is not required to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,
Pub. L. No. 116-136, Section 1114
Dated:
Jovita Carranza,
Administrator

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