Company: CMCT
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000908311-25-000017
Chunk: 110

Company: Creative Media & Community Trust Corp
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 110
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 of distributions on our Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

37

Curtailment of our ability to utilize the SBA 7(a) Program by the federal government could adversely affect our results of operations.

We are dependent upon the federal government to maintain the SBA 7(a) Program. There can be no assurance that the program will be maintained or that loans will continue to be guaranteed at current levels or that funding for the program will remain available or sufficient.  Further, any changes to the SBA program, including changes to the level of guarantee provided by the federal government on SBA loans, may also have a material adverse effect on our business. The SBA program is funded through annual appropriations approved by Congress matching funding requirements for loans approved within the budget year. Should those appropriations be reduced or cease, our ability to make SBA loans could be curtailed or terminated.  In addition, there can be no assurance that our SBA lending subsidiary, First Western SBLC, Inc. (“First Western”) will be able to maintain its status as a “Preferred Lender” under PLP (as defined below) or that we can maintain our SBA 7(a) license.

If we cannot continue originating and selling government guaranteed loans at current levels of profitability, we could experience a decrease in future servicing spreads and earned premiums. From time-to-time the SBA has reached its internal budgeted limits and ceased to guarantee loans for a stated period of time. In addition, the SBA may change its rules regarding loans or Congress may adopt legislation or fail to approve a budget that would have the effect of discontinuing, reducing availability of funds for, or changing loan programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable. If these changes occur, the volume of loans to small businesses that now qualify for government guaranteed loans could decline, as could the profitability of these loans.

First Western has been granted national preferred lender program (“PLP”) status and originates, sells and services small business loans and is authorized to place SBA guarantees on loans without seeking prior SBA review and approval. Being a national lender, PLP status allows First Western to expedite loans since First Western is not required to present applications to the SBA for concurrent review and approval. The loss of PLP status could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow or our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations or to maintain our level of