a. The authority may make long-term or short-term loans or other extensions of credit to eligible businesses under terms and conditions established by the authority. The authority shall establish uniform underwriting standards for loans and other extensions of credit, which shall include minimum equity requirements, and the use by the businesses of an approved accounting system. The authority may, either as a condition of granting the loan or at any time during the term of the loan, and in conjunction with the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, require the use by the businesses of technical assistance approved by it.

b. The authority may cooperate with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the federal Small Business Administration in arranging assistance for eligible businesses or may participate with these agencies in providing loans or other extensions of credit to eligible businesses.

c. The authority may contract with any depository institution to maintain a portion of its funds on deposit for a specified period of time at a specified rate of interest as part of an arrangement whereby the depository institution agrees to make loans or other extensions of credit to eligible businesses, except that the compensating balance so deposited shall not be treated as a guarantee.

L. 1985, c. 386, s. 5, eff. Dec. 18, 1985.