11.   Business executives say the small banks have been beating the bushes recently, competing aggressively to make business loans.

12.   Business loans and consumer loans increased, while real estate loans dropped.

13.   Business loans will also rise.

14.   But banks set the price of business loans as a spread -- that is, a set number of percentage points above a floating interest rate.

15.   But several thousand small banks will continue to thrive on the fringes, specializing in local community and small business loans.

16.   By raising its official short-term rates, the Fed puts upward pressure on rates paid for everything from credit cards and mortgages to business loans.

17.   But with the help of a small business loan, the employees were able to become the new owners of the company.

18.   Clients use the information to judge applicants for credit cards, mortgages and business loans.

19.   Cheap business loans and home mortgages have the construction industry humming.

20.   Corporate America benefits if consumers keep spending and gains from lower interest rates on business loans.