Small Business: Evaluation of Investment Companies' Financing Activities

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the financing activities of investment companies participating in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program, focusing on the: (1) number and dollar amount of SBIC financing made between 1983 and 1989; (2) size of businesses receiving such financing and the purpose of such financing; (3) SBA definition of small business and the ability of businesses with large gross assets to qualify as small business concerns; and (4) banks' role in providing financing through the SBIC and the specialized SBIC (SSBIC) programs.