Supporting Small Business in Recessionary Times

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Upcoming Event

Supporting Small Business in Recessionary Times
Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

November 16, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
101 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

There is no charge, but advance registration is required.

Questions about the workshop can be directed to Lena Robinson at 415-974-2717

Event Description

Agenda

8:30 a.m.

Registration & Networking (A hearty breakfast will be served)

9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

9:40 a.m.

Opening remarks: a national and regional view of small business lending
John Moon, Senior Community Affairs Analyst, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

10:00 a.m.

Capital Access in Recessionary Times
Is credit flowing sufficiently to help small businesses survive the current recessionary times? Are lenders optimizing the new recovery tools available from the Small Business Administration? Are stricter regulatory guidelines creating an environment that discourages bank lending or is it the same as always? A panel of lenders, a regulator and a representative from the SBA will share their perspective on these questions and provide recommendations about improvements that can reduce the obstacles of capital access for small businesses.

Moderator:	Lena Robinson, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
	Mark Quinn, U.S. Small Business Administration
	Gregg Mitchell, Wells Fargo
	Barbara Morrison, TMC Development Corporation
	Wallace Young, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

11:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break

11:45 a.m.

Strategies for Survival Beyond Credit
How severely are small businesses impacted by the current economic environment? Should new businesses even think about starting now or wait until economic conditions improve? What trends and challenges are small business advisors seeing and responding to? Credit is only one aspect of a business’ viability. A panel of technical assistance providers and community based lenders discuss how businesses are faring in these tough times and some of the strategies they are using to survive.

Moderator:	Alan Fisher, Executive Director, California Reinvestment Coalition
	Claudia Viek, CAMEO
	Herb Aarons, California Coastal Rural Development Corporation (invited)
	Kurtis Clark, Alliance SBDC
	Jacob Singer, OBDC Small Business Finance
	Eric Weaver, Opportunity Fund

1:15 p.m.

Wrap Up for Action
Susan Howard, District Community Affairs Officer, Office of the Comptroller will review important discussion points and recommendations for action for all sectors.

1:30 p.m.

Adjourn