califomia Assocition for 

Microenterpnse OppomiIllty 

July 9 and lo,1998 

Federal Reserve Hearings on Proposed NationsBank/ BankAmerica Merger 

Bank of America has made a significant investment in small business development in 

California. This investment has taken the form of support of the non-profits that provide 

technical assistance to the emerging business owners and loans to small business. A 

written commitment of community investment in small business development is an 

essential element of any merger agreement. 

The California Association for Microenterprise Opporhmiry recommends a wrinen 

commitment for the following: 

1) Investment in the non-profit technical assistance providers who assist small 

business reach the level of expertise that permits them to qualify for bank credir. 

1) A target of 75% of loans (based on dollar amount) to small business in loans of 

lines of credit of <S50,000. 

3) A target 30% of small business lending to minority and disabled-owned 

businesses. 

3) A secondary review process for declined small business loan applications. 

Submitted by: 

Catherine Marshall 

CEO 

California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity 

655 13th St. Ste 203 

Oakland, CA 94612 

510-238-8360 

510-238-8361 

cameo@igc.org 

655 13th Street . Suite 203 l Oticmd l California 94612 

Telephone: 510*238*8360 . Fax 510023808361 . emoil: cameo@igc.org 
Callfomia Association for 

Mfcroenterprise opportunity 

WHAT IS A MICROENTERPRISE? 

Microenterprises are small businesses that have fewer than five employees. These 

businesses are usually started with less than $25,000. These Very small businesses are 

actua!.ly the greatest contributor to job generation during all business cycles. Many of them 

start as homebased businesses and part time occupations that contribute to a total family 

iIlCOlW 

WHAT IS MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMEINT? 

Microenterprise development is a process of providing resources to new, prospective and 

experienced small business owners. These resources include technical assistance in the 

form of business management training and one on one consulting. Small loans called 

microloan funds help with the start up or expansion needs of these businesses and are 

usually accessed because traditional financing is not available for developing businesses. 

X4icroenterprise development reduces the leaming curve and increases the chances of 

success. These reso&es are usually provided by a community based or faith based nonprofit in partnership with government agencies. These non-profits are usually supported 

with a combination of funding from government agencies, corporations and individuals. 

WHO BENEFITS FROM MICROENTERPRISE DE\iELOPMENT? 

*The community benefits from the increased job availabilit]i .III~ economic vitality that 

successftil small businesses can provide. 

‘Small business owners, who are expanding their businesses: can access microenterprise 

development resources such iis loan tinds, training programs and support services. 

*New business owners get a jump start on success by learning Gom experts instead of the 

“school of hard knocks.” 

‘Prospecttie business owners gain valuable business skills while examining their business 

idea in .I :isk free emironment. 

HOW C.-IA’ WE MEASIJRE THE &XF’ACT OF ?vlICROE,XTERPRISE 

DEVELOPMENT ? 

For tile Communi~ 

*Reduction in welfare, unemployment and other public assistance costs. 

*Increase in the number of jobs created. 

*Increase in goods and services exchanged, space leased: etc. and associated tay revenues 

“Increase in the availabilie of goods and services in the community 

For thr Individual 

*Business stars increase in revenues, reduction in costs, increase in personal profits 

‘Creation of an economic safety net with an increase in cash flow and assets 

*Increase in business skills and access to community resources and referral networks 

IMICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL. PART OF AN 

OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. TO LEARN MORE 

ABOUT MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CALL CAMEO 510.238-8360. 

655 13th Street . Suite 203 . Oakland l California 94612 

Telephone: 510 l 238.8360 . Fax 510 l 238.8361 

email: cameo@igc.apc.org 
. . 

CeA*M*E*O 

California Association for 

Microenterprise Opporhmity 

CAMEO is a statewide association for microenterprise development 

organizations. Its membership is made up of nonprofit organizations, 

government agencies, financial institutions, foundations and individuals 

committed to creating self-employment opportunities for disadvantaged 

individuals. 

The mission of CAMEO is to promote microenterprise as an effective 

communiry economic-development strategy for people and 

communities with limited access to economic resources. 

CAMEO accomplishes its mission by: 

* Providing leadership and a voice for statewide microenterprise support 

* Building the capacity of microenterprise practitioners 

* Educating the public about the value of microenterprise development 

Benefits of CAMEO Membership: 

. Information on funding, policy issues andpractitioner education 

. Members’ directory and informative newsletter 

. Representation in the advocacy eflorts of the microenterprisejeld 

. Networking, referral and resource exchange opportunities 

. Technical assistance through regional meetings 

. Access to the VISTA volunteer program. 

Yes, I would like to join CAMEO. 

- 

Interested Party /Consultant ($50) 

Nonprofit Organization with Budget under $500,000 ($75) 

Nonprofit Organization with Budget over $500,000 ($150) 

Sponsoring Organization ($500) 

Please make your checkpqable to CAMEO. 

Name: 

Organization: 

Mailing Address: 

City: State: Zip: 

Phone: ( Fax: ( E-mail: 

(Please include a brief description of your organization on the back of this form. Thank you.) 

655 13th St. Suite 203 -Oakland, CA 94612 

Phone (510) 238-8360 FAX (510) 238-8361 cameo@igc. org