In late December, Congress passed a stimulus package expanding on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. This $900 billion stimulus package allocated $284 billion specifically to help businesses across the country.

On January 8, 2021 the Small Business Administration (SBA), in partnership with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will reopen the week of January 11 for new PPP borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. In an effort to address potential barriers to access to capital for minority, underserved, veteran, and women-owned businesses, they will open the portal on Monday, January 11 to only community financial institutions (CFI) for First Draw PPP Loans and on Wednesday, January 13 for Second Draw PPP Loans. (CFIs include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and Microloan Intermediaries.)

Although Fifth Third Bank does not meet the SBA’s definition of a CFI, we are committed to helping all of our clients prepare and receive the help they need as quickly as possible. After the SBA reopens the portal to remaining lenders, Fifth Third will begin accepting applications.

Great news for PPP borrowers!

Our PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) forgiveness process will reopen on March 5. This means you can continue an existing application for PPP loan forgiveness or submit a new forgiveness application.

  • If your PPP forgiveness application is still in progress:
    Beginning March 5, you will need to log in to our PPP client portal to update the information you provided previously for the forgiveness application. Please contact us if you cannot locate your personal link for the portal.

    Important: The SBA has updated the loan forgiveness applications based on changes it has made to the program. As before, you will be prompted to answer a series of questions. This may even involve selecting a new type of application, which could be more advantageous for you. Please be sure to review the information carefully as you go through the application process and answer all questions. The Aprio site (below) provides additional information about the changes.
  • If you are a new PPP forgiveness applicant: Review the best practices for preparing for PPP Loan Forgiveness here, then contact us at 877-579-5300. We will follow up with your personal link to the client portal where you can submit your information

More good news

  • For PPP loans $150,000 or less, the new forgiveness application requires less documentation than before.
  • The list of forgivable expenses for existing PPP loans has been expanded.

Additional resources

  • We’ve partnered with Aprio, a leading CPA-led business advisory firm, to help you successfully navigate the PPP forgiveness application process.
  • Visit aprio53.com/forgiveness, to access information, including the one-page Summary of the PPP Loan Forgiveness Changes. Aprio will continue to add to this information throughout the week.

We’re here to help

If you need assistance, please contact our SBA/PPP support team at 877-579-5300, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET. You can also contact your banker or relationship manager any time.

Thank you.

How the Small Business Administration1 is Helping Small Businesses

The SBA direct lending program is in the form of low interest rate loans with flexible repayment terms, the eligibility for which will be determined by the SBA on a case-by-case basis.

SBA Disaster Assistance overview:

  • Loans up to $2,000,000.
  • 3.75% fixed interest rate on loans to for-profit companies.
  • 2.75% fixed interest rate on loans to non-profit companies.
  • Up to 30-year term and amortization (determined on case-by-case basis).

How to apply for the SBA Disaster Assistance:

  • For more information on the SBA's assistance to small businesses, visit www.SBA.gov/coronavirus.
  • If you state is on the approved list, apply today at the sba.org website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Login.
    • You'll enter your company information and describe the impact of the pandemic on your business.
  • If your state is not showing as a approved yet, continue to check this list often, https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations/Index.
  • Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans.

Additional Resources for Businesses

Fifth Third is committed to helping its communities through our extensive network of partners. Together, we are able to help small businesses and boost economic development in underserved communities throughout our footprint.

In January of 2016, Fifth Third began delivering on its five year community commitment of $32B; $11B of which was earmarked for small businesses. To date, we have funded $8B in programs that facilitate the growth of local businesses. Through our partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other nonprofit organizations, we continue to deliver a wide range of resources geared towards educating entrepreneurs and families on the innovative ways that they can access traditional forms of capital such as micro lending and small dollars loans through the Small Business Administration.

Fifth Third believes small businesses are the heart of our communities. We encourage you to reach out to the nonprofit organizations in your area for assistance. Together, we can connect you to resources you need to start, grow and sustain your business operations.

To find out more about the small business resources and programs in your area, please review them here.

Also, a list of available personal state assistance programs can be reviewed here.

Tips to Help You and Your Business Operation During COVID-19

Be Transparent About Your Business

Let your customers know you are going through this with them. For example, share on your business’s social media account(s) how much you appreciate your customers, and thank them each day as they continue to support your business.

Be Extra Vigilant Online

During times of uncertainty, it’s natural to seek information and answers through the internet and social media. Unfortunately, criminals will often use that to their advantage. While not specific to Fifth Third, our team has noted the occurrence of phishing—when a data thief impersonates a legitimate person or company via email to bait the recipient into reporting confidential information or gaining unauthorized access to systems. In addition, we have seen reports of malware (malicious software) disguised as a coronavirus map. Watch for email senders using suspicious or misleading domain names. Inspect URLs carefully (without clicking on the link) to make sure they’re legitimate and not imposter sites.

Follow Credible Advice

To obtain reliable information, stick to credible resources like the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov), World Health Organization (www.who.int) and other well-known local and national news reporting agencies.

Use Digital Tools When You Can

Make an appointment to talk to your banker when you have a complex situation. But save time and use online banking services as often as you can. For example, consider depositing checks through your Fifth Third mobile app2.