The 7(a) Loan ProgramPresident Obama announced plans to increase the government-guaranteed portion of the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loans to 90 percent. Borrowers must apply through their skittish banks, but the stronger backing will probably stimulate more lending. For information, go to sba.gov.

The SBA’s Micro-loan ProgramBusinesses with fewer than 10 employees can apply for very small loans (they top out at $35,000) through ­community-based not-for-profits that are funded through the SBA. For information, go to sba.gov.

Private Micro-loan VenturesThough many of the nonprofits that specialize in providing small loans have dried up in the past year, a few—like Accion USA and Grameen America—are still funding promising entrepreneurial ideas from the people who need credit the most. For information, go to accionusa.org or grameenamerica.com.

Peer-to-Peer BorrowingYou can log on to Prosper.com or Lendingclub.com, describe your venture, and propose the terms of a loan. Then watch as private individuals compete to finance your business. (At least that’s how it’s supposed to work.)