⏩ Donations to Marketplace are being MATCHED right now! ⏩ Double my gift

The Fed steps in to finance COVID-19 relief loans for small businesses

Apr 7, 2020
The Federal Reserve is creating a "lending facility" to keep things running smoothly for small business loans.
The central bank is finding new ways for it to finance the loans commercial banks are being told to write to small businesses.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The small business loan rollout wasn't so smooth

Apr 6, 2020
The Small Business Administration is guaranteeing paycheck protection loans. But applying for one of them hasn't been so simple.
"I'm just inclined to feel like a week wasn't enough to organize, you know, a $350 billion small loan program," one business owner said.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Airlines hit by COVID-19 start applying for government aid

Apr 3, 2020
The government is making $50 billion available in loans and grants.
United, Delta and American have parked almost their entire international fleets, and domestically will fly about 60% to 70% fewer flights than at this time in 2019.
Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Why small business loans for COVID-19 relief may be delayed

The federal government's guidelines for banks only went out Thursday night — hours before the program was supposed to start.
Can banks really start writing emergency loans to small businesses today as expected?
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Boeing used to give more money to shareholders than it made. Now it's getting stimulus help.

Washington Post columnist Allan Sloan says Boeing hasn't just parceled out profit to shareholders. The company "sent it out with a fire hose."
Scott Olson/Getty Images

What you need to do to get your COVID-19 stimulus check

If you got a tax refund or paid the IRS by paper check last year, you'll need to get your bank details in to the agency.
If the IRS has your direct deposit details, you don’t need to do anything.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What kind of unemployment benefits are right for the unprecedented time of COVID-19?

Mar 27, 2020
Economists say generous benefits historically can give people an incentive not to look for a new job. But those benefits also stabilize families, and could keep people at home now when social distancing is required.
A closed restaurant after a "shelter in place" order was given to residents to slow the spread of COVID-19 on March 20 in Oak Park, Illinois.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Should the Fed decide who gets bailout cash?

Mar 20, 2020
That authority was curbed during the 2008 financial crisis. Some are arguing that power should be returned.
The Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Stimulus without debt?

Mar 18, 2020
If policymakers are too preoccupied with debt to provide the country the stimulus it needs, some economists say: Do it without debt.
Can the government just print more money to stimulate the economy?
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Can money solve a coronavirus-induced recession?

Mar 12, 2020
Annie Lowrey of The Atlantic expects the coronavirus to cause a jobs crisis, but government spending could help.
U.S. bank notes in 2005.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images