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Covid 19 Business Resources

Here to Support Small Businesses


At Flatwater Bank we are here to help you navigate through these unprecedented challenges by keeping you updated on resources available to you and your business on the local, state and national levels.  

Below are options we think may be of immediate benefit to businesses we work with. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team members for additional information. 
 

 *Flatwater Bank has prepared this information with the most current information we have received.  There has been an evolution in details as programs are being finalized.  This is the most current information we have available.  Refer to the treasury.gov and SBA.gov websites for additional details. We are committed to keeping you updated as we receive additional information.  Information updated as of 5/6/2021.

We are currently working with borrowers to complete the PPP Forgiveness Process. If you believe you have maximized forgiveness and would like to apply, reach out to us.  Here are resources to get you started:

PPP Loan Forgiveness: 
The SBA introduced an updated forgiveness application for loans less than $150,000 as well a new shortened EZ application. 

The Form 3508S Forgiveness Application is available to those borrowers who received a loan of $150,000 or less. 


  
The EZ Application is available to those who:
  • Are not eligible to use the Form 3508S, and 
  • Did not reduce salary or wages for any employee by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees (except laid-off employees who refused an offer to return), OR
  • Did not reduce salary or wages for any employee by more than 25% during the covered period, and experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, OR
  • Applied for the PPP loan as self-employed, an independent contractor, or a sole proprietor with no employees.

If you don't qualify for the EZ forgiveness application, the SBA released an updated version of the full application.

  • The COVID-19 Relief Act passed in December of 2020 repealed the deduction of EIDL advances from PPP forgiveness.  
  • The SBA is currently accepting new EIDL applications for U.S. businesses and agriculture producers.

  • Maximum Loan Amount = $500,000 based on economic injury as determined by SBA
  • Does it include loan forgiveness/grant?  SBA may provide up to $10,000 in emergency grants to EIDL applicants that need it.  Applicants do not need to repay the grants even if the loan is denied.
  • Interest Rate = 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for non-profits
  • Loan Term = up to 30 years


calculator on a desktop next to a pair of sunglassesThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses that are suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the novel coronavirus.

Uses for this loan option, include paying fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay.

For more details on the program, visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus.

If you are thinking of applying, here's what you can do to get started now with forms you'll need and be ready to go when the portal opens:

  • Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals and affiliates.
  • Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.
  • Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202).
  • Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413).
  • Profit and loss statements  
  • Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Information and Resources

Nebraska Department of Economic Development:
The Department of Economic Development is partnering with Governor Ricketts to inform and assist businesses during Nebraska’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The department’s Field Services Team is working consistently with business leaders in these regions to address ongoing COVID challenges. Contact numbers for our staff in these regions are listed on the site.

Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
This page is designed to provide the latest information to Nebraska businesses from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Included on this page are resources available to from state and federal agencies.

Nebraska Department of Labor:
The page provide unemployment program information and assistance from the Nebraska Department of Labor.

IRS:
Learn more about the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announcement regarding small and midsize employers who can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing coronavirus-related leave to their employees.

Workplace Safety (OSHA):
This guide covers topics related to ensuring your workplace is safe, tips on reducing risk, steps to take if a COVID-19 outbreak would occur and much more.

PadlockAt times like these, we especially need to be wary of business fraud. We ask that you please be diligent about confirming the authenticity of payments that are being sent out from your business. This would include checks, wires, bill and ACH payments, and any other forms of payment.

If you receive a request, it’s vital to do out-of-band (two-factor) authentication BEFORE sending any payments to vendors, which requires a secondary verification method through a separate communication channel. Be suspicious of unusual requests and verify any before proceeding – for example: if a vendor requests bank and/or account information be changed through an email. Before you make the change, you should confirm it is legitimate by calling the vendor at an already-established phone number.

Always be on the lookout for the various fraudsters out there. They wouldn’t think twice about scamming you or your company and will take advantage of these challenging times! We also recommend that you check your business online banking account regularly and review transactions posted to your account, ensuring each is legitimate and reflects your business activity. If you see any discrepancies, contact your bank immediately.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is sending a cyber warning alert to loan applicants seeking federal aid in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Email phishing campaigns where malicious actors are impersonating the SBA and its Office of Disaster Assistance to collect personally identifiable information (PII) for fraudulent purposes have surfaced.

The SBA is particularly concerned about scam emails targeting applicants of the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program asking them to verify their accounts using a third-party online platform to collect personally identifiable information.

It should be noted that any email communication from the SBA will come from email accounts ending in sba.gov, and nothing more. Loan applicants are being advised to look out for email scams and phishing attacks using the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain PII, access personal banking accounts, or install ransomware or malware.

Applicants are also advised to help protect their identity and privacy by never providing their full name, date of birth, social security number, address, phone numbers, email addresses, case numbers, or any other PII in public-facing comments or responses to third-party emails.

The SBA will not use a third-party platform to:
  • Actively seek PII
  • Search a third-party platform for or by PII, or
  • “Follow” public users proactively without a waiver.
Borrowers who are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII are cautioned to ensure that any application numbers referenced in the email are consistent with their actual application number. Loan applicants and borrowers are also advised not to click on any links or open any attachments, which are often used in phishing email scams. 

Additionally, federal agencies that provide disaster recovery assistance will never ask for a fee or payment to apply for financial assistance, and government employees do not charge for any recovery assistance provided.

An SBA logo on a web page does not guarantee the information is either accurate or endorsed by the SBA. Loan applicants and borrowers should be vigilant in protecting their personal information and data assets. Visit https://www.sba.gov/COVIDfraudalert to learn more about scams and fraud schemes.

If you suspect an email is associated with a fraud scam targeting the SBA, report it to the Office of Inspector General’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at https://www.sba.gov/COVIDfraudalert.

Loan applicants who have questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program may call the Disaster Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.