Businesses and individuals considering bankruptcy during the pandemic might be holding off for now while the crisis unfolds, but experts expect bankruptcies to rise as companies continue to struggle.

“CDFIs are committed to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in low-income and underserved communities and that means collectively, these CDFIs will help keep paychecks flowing to employees who may need it the most.”

While much of the discussion on the economy’s post-pandemic future has been negative, a recent flash poll conducted by Herbein + Co. of Wyomissing shows surprising optimism among business leaders in the Mid-Atlantic.

Employers can expect to be fully forgiven for their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan if they make a “good-faith” effort to bring back laid-off employees onto their payrolls — even if an employee declines their offer.

Federal officials are working with local lenders to help small businesses pay the bills and keep workers on furloughed status — a kind of induced economic freeze — so they are positioned to make a successful economic rebound on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.