Economist Karen Petrou says the Fed programs have fallen short, but that the Fed needs some facilities in the face of inaction from Congress.
The central bank dropped the minimum loan amount under its Main Street Lending Program to $100,000. But not many businesses feel confident taking out loans they’ll have to repay in five years.
Eric Rosengren says that the Fed’s Main Street Lending Program started off slow, but interest in borrowing has increased.
The loans will be bigger than those from the Paycheck Protection Program — and they can’t be forgiven.