Business Week states “Many companies can’t afford Humanix’s approach of lending workers money directly, especially in a slump. Mitch Bolnick, CEO of security company BCD Low Voltage Systems in Phoenix, let several employees borrow from the company in the past for emergencies like car repairs. But with sales slow this year and his staff of 16 already taking pay cuts, Bolnick has held off on new loans. “This year we’ve had to explain to them what the situation is and why, and they understand,” he says. Still, he says assisting employees when possible helps BCD build loyalty among workers: Two have told him they turned down higher-paying offers.”

What does this mean to other small businesses? It doesn’t mean you should start providing private loans or funds for your employees today, but to think about their needs outside the office also because, “a financially unstable worker can cost a business as much as $480 per month in lost productivity and absenteeism.”

MSNBC states “CIT Group Inc.’s board approved a deal with major bondholders to keep the company out of bankruptcy with a $3 billion rescue loan, according to published reports. CIT’s failure could pose a major threat to the economy, industry representatives have warned. A collapse of CIT could cut off financing just as businesses need it most during the ongoing recession. Its failure could force thousands of companies to drastically cut costs or shut down — driving up unemployment and dashing hopes for a swift economic recovery”

Now that CIT has secured $3 billion to keep it’s doors open for at least the rest of the year, one question small business owners should ask their state representatives is why the federal government doesn’t see it necessary to bailout CIT when it bailed out all the big corporation from wall street?

If you have a small business loan from CITI Bank, you are likely to see that loan show up on your PERSONAL credit report. But not to worry, according to Sharon O’Connor Clarke, a principal consultant with FICO, “Business owners generally won’t see their credit hurt if they’re current on payments. Borrowers with strong repayment histories could even see scores improve” This doesn’t mean for the sake of improving your personal credit you start taking out business loans but it does mean even though banks are changing the rules of the game, for now, you don’t have to worry.