COVID-19 Resources For Your Business

There are many different funding options available for businesses, we encourage you to review this cross-eligibility chart to decide which program(s) may work best for you.

Bank First is here to help! Contact a Relationship Manager at your local office if you have questions about the options available for you and your business.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - Round 2

As of Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding has been exhausted for all institutions except community financial development institutions (CFDIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs). Bank First customers who have applied for Round 2 and have not yet received confirmation, your Relationship Manager will be contacting you soon with a status update and next steps.

FIRST DRAW LOANS

Top-Line Overview of First Draw Loans
First Draw Borrower Application Form (revised 3/22/2021)
First Draw Borrower Application Form - Schedule C Filers Using Gross Income (revised 3/22/2021)
First Draw Bank First PPP Loan Calculator (revised 3/5/2021)
How to Calculate First Draw Loans: How to Calculate First Draw PPP Loan Amounts (sba.gov)

SECOND DRAW LOANS

Top-Line Overview of Second Draw Loans
Second Draw Borrower Application Form (revised 3/22/2021)
Second Draw Borrower Application Form - Schedule C Filers Using Gross Income (revised 3/22/2021)
Second Draw Bank First PPP Loan Calculator (revised 3/5/2021)
How to Calculate Second Draw Loans: How to Calculate Second Draw FAQs-3.12.21.pdf (sba.gov)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

READ THE SBA AND TREASURY ANNOUNCEMENT
Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns
Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act (revised 3/22/2021)
Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans
FAQs (revised 4/6/2021)

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS - Round 1 & 2

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020. In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:

Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%.

The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form.

Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if the loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.

The forgiveness portion of PPP Round 2 became available through our online portal on May 4, 2021. Bank First customers who have completed their Round 2 applications and have met the minimum covered period of 56 days (8 weeks) will receive an email with information and further instructions.

SBA Form 3508 Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (updated 01-19-21)
SBA Form 3508EZ Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (updated 01-19-21)
SBA Form 3508S Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application (updated 01-19-21)
Loan Forgiveness Requirements and Loan Review Procedures as Amended by Economic Aid Act

PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $150,000 and Under Streamlined

The SBA released a streamlined loan forgiveness application for PPP loans totaling $150,000 or less. The new, simplified Form 3508S includes certifications from the borrower but does not require calculations to be submitted with the application. Applicants still must submit documentation verifying forgivable payroll and non-payroll expenses. Borrowers are further required to retain the documentation supporting their certifications for six years, but do not need to submit it.

A borrower that uses SBA Form 3508S is exempt from any reductions in the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount based on reductions in full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (section 1106(d)(2) of the CARES Act) or reductions in employee salary or wages (section 1106(d)(3) of the CARES Act) that would otherwise apply.

Additional tools you can use:

ADDITIONAL SBA LOAN ASSISTANCE OPTIONS

The Small Business Administration is offering additional loan options your business may qualify for, including:

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND

The American Rescue Act established $28.6 billion as part of the "Restaurant Revitalization Fund" (RRF) within the SBA. The purpose of the RRF is to support the restaurant industry by providing funding to those that have suffered significant pandemic-related revenue loss.

RRF registration now available through the SBA's application portal. The online application will remain open to eligible businesses until the funds are exhausted.

The RRF also includes specific requirements to ensure equitable distribution to small business concerns owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged applicants. The first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications based upon these requirements. After day 22 through funds exhaustion, the SBA will accept applications from all eligible applicants and process applications in the order in which they are approved by the SBA.

An eligible business may receive a tax-free federal grant equal to the amount of its pandemic-related revenue loss, calculated by subtracting its 2020 gross receipts from its 2019 gross receipts.

SBA may provide funding of up to $5,000,000 per location (not to exceed $10,000,000 total for the Applicant and any affiliated businesses) for Applicants who meet certain conditions. The minimum award will be $1,000.
Applications will be accepted through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly through the SBA's online application portal.

The SBA hosted webinars to help businesses better understand the fund eligibility requirements and maximums, eligible use of funds, how the use of other SBA relief programs affect eligibility, and more. Visit the SBA's YouTube page for recordings of the RRF Webinar and SBA RRF Application Portal Training Webinar.

RRF Webinar hosted by the Milwaukee Independent Restaurant Coalition, Lazy Susan MKE, and the Ethnic & Divers Business Coalition
May 13 from 8:00-10:00am

SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal is now open. Applicants may register for a new account and apply for the grant online: www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/.
FAQ Regarding Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
SVOG Eligibility Requirements
SVOG Preliminary Application Checklist
Cross-program eligibility on SBA COVID-19 relief options
SVOG-specific version of IRS Form 4506T
- Video: Instructions on how to complete the SVOG-specific 4506T form
SVOG applicant user guide (coming soon)

COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS (EIDL)

This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Learn More and determine if your business qualifies.

SBA DEBT RELIEF

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn More and determine if your business qualifies.

FEDERAL RESERVE LOAN PROGRAMS

The Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program will operate through three facilities: the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), the Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF), and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Learn More.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more.

Borrowers may receive a 180-day loan payment deferral without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.

WWBIC COVID-19 FAST TRACK LOAN PROGRAM

WWBIC is a leading innovative statewide economic development corporation that’s been “Putting Dreams to Work” since 1987. The COVID-19 Fast Track Loan Program is focused on existing businesses looking for business financing during COVID-19. Business owners have two options from which to pick depending on their needs: a line of credit or a term loan. Learn more.

In addition to the aforementioned lending resources, Bank First may also be able to assist your business with other loan options. Please contact your Bank First relationship manager to discuss which options are the best fit for your individual business. As always, thank you for choosing Bank First!