A Coleman Conversation: Bill Briggs

January 7, 2025

by Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

A Coleman Conversation: Bill Briggs

In the first 2026 episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman speaks with Bill Briggs, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, about the SBA’s priorities for supporting small businesses, expanding manufacturing finance, and strengthening partnerships with lenders. Bill discusses the new MARC working capital program, the proposed increase in SBA manufacturing loan limits, SBA’s renewed focus on veterans and disaster response, and what lenders and Main Street can expect from the agency as it modernizes its programs and technology heading into 2026.

Watch episode here

Topics Covered:

✓ Bill Briggs’ current role as Deputy Administrator and why he returned to SBA after leading key loan programs during the COVID era
✓ How small businesses are foundational to America’s economy through driving community growth and creating most new jobs, making SBA’s mission critical to the country’s economic strength
✓ SBA’s renewed focus on veteran entrepreneurs, including efforts to improve certifications and expand access to federal contracting opportunities
✓ The launch of the MARC program as a flexible working capital tool for manufacturers and early loan examples showing how it can help businesses expand
✓ SBA’s hands-on approach to helping lenders adopt new programs and encouragement for lenders to bring concerns early so policy works in practice
✓ What lenders and Main Street can expect from SBA in 2026, including an improved lender experience and new technology and AI tools designed to make SBA lending easier and more efficient