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SBIC Lenders Grow in Small Bank Space
More lenders may be getting their Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) licenses, as bank consolidation continues and lower middle-market businesses seek financing. The Small Business Administrations (SBA) SBIC program provides an entryway for lenders looking to move into a space previously occupied by community banks, many of which have been acquired and no longer originate loans suited to small businesses.
Companies that have recently gotten SBIC licenses include Saratoga Investment Corp. (NYSE: SAR), which got program approval in March, Fifth Street Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: FSC), which got a second license in June and Victory Park Capital Advisors LLC, which joined the program in December.
In fiscal year...