That means we lend money for long-term investments, investments which could otherwise be financed only under big difficulties because of interest rates or the length of a loan.

CNN: Small business 'backbone' of Europe, says banking chief

Bair has proposed giving homeowners who are 60 days late on their mortgage a chance to reduce high interest rates and extend the length of the loan if they qualify.

CNN: Plan could help 1.5 million keep homes, FDIC chair says

As I am sure you know, interest rates are normally higher on loans for longer periods, because the conventional view is that for the lender, the risks of lending rise with the length of the loan.

BBC: Where to find bank stress

"We think any fair and objective look at the facts would show that no bank at arm's length would make a loan to the McCain campaign in the situation it was in, unless they knew that if push came to shove, they could rely on getting the taxpayer money to help repay the loan, " says Joseph Sandler, the DNC's general counsel.

NPR: Democrats Sue FEC over McCain Finances

Nor have any details about what firms it will aim to lend to, or the length in years of any loan agreements.

BBC: Cable confirms government plans for a business bank