Fred Becker is the president of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. He knows all too well that the lending cap for credit for business members is tying the hands of both lenders and entrepreneurs.

Becker shows us a number of examples of how of small-business success stories are fueled by credit union loans. They are shining examples of what can be accomplished when small businesses and credit unions -- not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions -- work together.

Small businesses are vital to Main Street and our nation's economic growth. According to a recent Small Business Administration report, small businesses outperformed large firms in job creation by 75 percent from 1992 through 2010.

Consider the story of John and Suzanne Hermann, owners of the Bagel Factory in San Antonio, Texas. After being rejected by several financial institutions, the Hermanns turned to Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) and were approved for a loan to start their business. Ms. Hermann said they contacted at least 15 different financial institutions. Most refused to even meet with them. Because of her husband's status as a military veteran, they were, however, able to qualify for a Patriot Express Loan through RBFCU and have built a thriving business that now employs 14 people.

Seven years ago, two wineries in the Finger Lakes area came to Visions Federal Credit Union. They said that the banks that held their business loans had sold them to a venture capital company in New York City. The venture capital company subsequently closed down their lines of credit and was pressuring them to pay off the loans. Visions helped the wineries by providing financing for their wine-making operations. Today, Visions has two of the largest Finger Lakes wineries and three smaller wineries as members. Visions' participation in this agricultural-type lending helped the wineries create hundreds of jobs.

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