The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is temporarily amending the size eligibility criteria for loan assistance provided under its 7(a) Business Loan Program. This rule temporarily establishes the same alternative small business size standard that applies to SBA's Certified Development Company (CDC) Program. The U.S. Congress passed and the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The purposes and goals of the Recovery Act are to promote economic recovery and to preserve and create jobs. SBA prepared this rule as an interim final rule, effective immediately, because it will help alleviate the pressing needs of many small businesses for financial assistance in the current economic environment.