State Assistance for Enterprise, Business and Industrial Development Corp | SAFE-BIDCO |
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Company type | Non-depository lender |
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Industry | Financial services |
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Founded | 1981; 43 years ago (1981) |
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Founder | California State Legislature |
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Defunct | September 18, 2017 (2017-09-18) |
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Fate | Seized and liquidated |
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Headquarters | , United States |
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Area served | California |
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Key people | Mary Jo Dutra (CEO, noted in reports) |
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Products | Small business loans, state loan guarantees |
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Services | Financing for alternative energy equipment, farm loans |
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Owner | State of California |
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State Assistance for Enterprise, Business and Industrial Development Corp, better known as SAFE-BIDCO, was a United States non-depository lender set up by the California State Legislature for financing of small business loans in California.[1] SAFE-BIDCO was based in Santa Rosa, California[2][3] until its closure in September, 2017.[4][5]
History
SAFE-BIDCO was established in 1981 to provide loans to small businesses for the purpose of manufacturing or purchasing alternative energy equipment.[6]
In 1986 its mandate was expanded to include non-energy-related loans to minority owned small businesses or exporting companies.[7]
In 1997, the organization expanded its mandate to serve State Loan Guarantees to Northern California. In 2011, SAFE-BIDCO was authorized to use state loan guarantee trust fund capital to help secure farm loans, guaranteed by the USDA.[8]
In April, 2017, the State Auditor released a report warning SAFE-BIDCO was at high risk of insolvency. The report also noted, "Despite its declining financial position, SAFE-BIDCO has imprudently spent its limited funds on questionable items such as continuing with a business development contractor that did not meet his performance milestones for several years. Additionally, during fiscal years 2011–12 through 2015–16, SAFE-BIDCO's chief executive officer Mary Jo Dutra made 16 out-of-state trips and one international trip to Ireland."[9]
On September 15, 2017, the state Department of Business Oversight ordered the seizure of SAFE-BIDCO,[4] announced plans to liquidate the state-chartered nonprofit, and appointed Robb Evans as Special Commissioner.[10]
On September 18, 2017, the state Department of Business Oversight seized SAFE-BIDCO.[5]
References
External links