---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 681"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "681"
heading: "Organization"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/681"
units:
  - "Chapter 14B — Small Business Investment Program"
  - "Subchapter III — Investment Division Programs"
  - "Part A — Small Business Investment Companies"
---

# §681. Organization

- (a) **Incorporation and charter under State law, period of succession; area of operations—** A [small business investment company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) shall be an incorporated body, a [limited liability company](/usc/15/662.md?p=16), or a limited partnership organized and chartered or otherwise existing under [State](/usc/15/662.md?p=4) law solely for the purpose of performing the functions and conducting the activities contemplated under this subchapter, which, if incorporated, has succession for a period of not less than thirty years unless sooner dissolved by its shareholders, and if a limited partnership, has succession for a period of not less than ten years, and possesses the powers reasonably necessary to perform such functions and conduct such activities. The area in which the [company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) is to conduct its operations, and the establishment of branch offices or agencies (if authorized by the [articles](/usc/15/662.md?p=8)), shall be subject to the approval of the [Administration](/usc/15/662.md?p=1).
- (b) **Articles of incorporation; approval—** The [articles](/usc/15/662.md?p=8) of any [small business investment company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) shall specify in general terms the objects for which the [company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) is formed, the name assumed by such [company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3), the area or areas in which its operations are to be carried on, the place where its [principal](/usc/15/694a.md?p=6) office is to be located, and the amount and classes of its shares of capital stock. Such [articles](/usc/15/662.md?p=8) may contain any other provisions not inconsistent with this chapter that the [company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) may see fit to adopt for the regulation of its business and the conduct of its affairs. Such [articles](/usc/15/662.md?p=8) and any amendments thereto adopted from time to time shall be subject to the approval of the [Administration](/usc/15/662.md?p=1).
- (c) **Issuance of license—**
  - (1) **Submission of application—** Each [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) for a [license](/usc/15/662.md?p=7) to operate as a [small business investment company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) under this chapter shall submit to the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) an application, in a form and including such documentation as may be prescribed by the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Procedures—**
    - (A) **Status—** Not later than 90 days after the initial receipt by the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) of an application under this subsection, the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) shall provide the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) with a written report detailing the status of the application and any requirements remaining for completion of the application.
    - (B) **Approval or disapproval—** Within a reasonable time after receiving a completed application submitted in accordance with this subsection and in accordance with such requirements as the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) may prescribe by regulation, the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) shall—
      - (i) approve the application and issue a [license](/usc/15/662.md?p=7) for such operation to the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) if the requirements of this section are satisfied; or
      - (ii) disapprove the application and notify the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) in writing of the disapproval.
  - (3) **Matters considered—** In reviewing and processing any application under this subsection, the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2)—
    - (A) shall determine whether—
      - (i) the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) meets the requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of [section 682 of this title](/usc/15/682.md); and
      - (ii) the management of the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) is qualified and has the knowledge, experience, and capability necessary to comply with this chapter;
    - (B) shall take into consideration—
      - (i) the need for and availability of financing for [small business concerns](/usc/15/694a.md?p=9) in the geographic area in which the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) is to commence business;
      - (ii) the general business reputation of the owners and management of the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3); and
      - (iii) the probability of successful operations of the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3), including adequate profitability and financial soundness;
    - (C) shall not take into consideration any projected shortage or unavailability of [leverage](/usc/15/662.md?p=10); and
    - (D) shall give first priority to an [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) that is located in an [underlicensed State](/usc/15/662.md?p=20) with below median financing, as determined by the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2).
  - (4) **Exception—**
    - (A) **In general—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) may, in the discretion of the [Administrator](/usc/15/662.md?p=2) and based on a showing of special circumstances and good cause, approve an application and issue a [license](/usc/15/662.md?p=7) under this subsection with respect to any [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) that—
      - (i) has [private capital](/usc/15/662.md?p=9) of not less than $3,000,000;
      - (ii) would otherwise be issued a [license](/usc/15/662.md?p=7) under this subsection, except that the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) does not satisfy the requirements of [section 682(a) of this title](/usc/15/682.md?p=a); and
      - (iii) has a viable business plan reasonably projecting profitable operations and a reasonable timetable for achieving a level of [private capital](/usc/15/662.md?p=9) that satisfies the requirements of [section 682(a) of this title](/usc/15/682.md?p=a).
    - (B) **Leverage—** An [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) licensed pursuant to the exception provided in this paragraph shall not be eligible to receive [leverage](/usc/15/662.md?p=10) as a [licensee](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) until the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) satisfies the requirements of [section 682(a) of this title](/usc/15/682.md?p=a), unless the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3)—
      - (i) is located in a [State](/usc/15/662.md?p=4) that—
        - (I) is not served by a [licensee](/usc/15/662.md?p=3); or
        - (II) is an [underlicensed State](/usc/15/662.md?p=20); and
      - (ii) agrees to be limited to 1 tier of [leverage](/usc/15/662.md?p=10) available under [section 682(b) of this title](/usc/15/682.md?p=b), until the [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) meets the requirements of [section 682(a) of this title](/usc/15/682.md?p=a).
- (d) **Repealed. Pub. L. 104–208, div. D, title II, § 208(b)(3)(A), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–742—**
- (e) **Fees—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Administration](/usc/15/662.md?p=1) may prescribe fees to be paid by each [applicant](/usc/15/7a.md?p=3) for a [license](/usc/15/662.md?p=7) to operate as a [small business investment company](/usc/15/662.md?p=3) under this chapter.
  - (2) **Use of amounts—** Fees collected under this subsection—
    - (A) shall be deposited in the account for salaries and expenses of the [Administration](/usc/15/662.md?p=1); and
    - (B) are authorized to be appropriated solely to cover the costs of licensing examinations.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–699, title III, § 301, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 691; Pub. L. 86–502, § 4, June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 87–341, § 11(a), (b), Oct. 3, 1961, 75 Stat. 756; Pub. L. 90–104, title II, § 202, Oct. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 269; Pub. L. 92–595, § 2(b), Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1314; Pub. L. 94–305, title I, § 106(b)–(d), June 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 666; Pub. L. 95–507, title I, § 104, Oct. 24, 1978, 92 Stat. 1758; Pub. L. 100–590, title I, § 105, Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 2993; Pub. L. 104–208, div. D, title II, § 208(b)(1)–(3)(A), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–741, 3009–742; Pub. L. 105–135, title II, §§ 212, 214, Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2601; Pub. L. 115–333, § 2(2), Dec. 19, 2018, 132 Stat. 4488.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

For definition of “this chapter”, referred to in subsecs. (b), (c), and (e), see References in Text note set out under section 661 of this title.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c)(3)(D). Pub. L. 115–333, § 2(2)(A), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 115–333, § 2(2)(B)(ii), (iii), redesignated cl. (ii) as (i) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, cl. read as follows: “is located in a State that is not served by a licensee; and”.

Pub. L. 115–333, § 2(2)(B)(i), struck out cl. (i) which read as follows: “files an application for a license not later than 180 days after December 2, 1997;”.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(ii), (iii). Pub. L. 115–333, § 2(2)(B)(ii), redesignated cls. (ii) and (iii) as (i) and (ii), respectively.

1997—Subsec. (c)(4)(B). Pub. L. 105–135, § 212, amended heading and text of subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “An applicant licensed pursuant to the exception provided in this paragraph shall not be eligible to receive leverage as a licensee until the applicant satisfies the requirements of section 682(a) of this title.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–135, § 214, added subsec. (e).

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208, § 208(b)(1), substituted “body, a limited liability company, or” for “body or” in first sentence.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–208, § 208(b)(2), inserted heading and amended text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “The articles and amendments thereto shall be forwarded to the Administration for consideration and approval or disapproval. In determining whether to approve such a company’s articles and permit it to operate under the provisions of this chapter, the Administration shall give due regard, among other things, to the need and availability for the financing of small business concerns in the geographic area in which the proposed company is to commence business, the general business reputation and character of the proposed owners and management of the company, and the probability of successful operations of such company including adequate profitability and financial soundness. After consideration of all relevant factors, if it approves the company’s articles, the Administration may in its discretion approve the company to operate under the provisions of this chapter and issue the company a license for such operation.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–208, § 208(b)(3)(A), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a small business investment company, the investment policy of which is that its investments will be made solely in small business concerns which will contribute to a well-balanced national economy by facilitating ownership in such concerns by persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic disadvantages may be organized and chartered under State business or nonprofit corporation statutes, or formed as a limited partnership, and may be licensed by the Administration to operate under the provisions of this chapter.”

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–590 substituted “, if incorporated, has succession for a period of not less than thirty years unless sooner dissolved by its shareholders, and if a limited partnership, has succession for a period of not less than ten years,” for “has succession for a period of not less than thirty years unless sooner dissolved by its shareholders or partners”.

1978—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–507 authorized small business investment companies to form as limited partnerships.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–305, § 106(b), inserted reference to limited partnership and reference to partners, struck out “of incorporation” after “by the articles”, and inserted “or otherwise existing” after “chartered”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–305, § 106(c), struck out “of incorporation” after “The articles”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–305, § 106(d), struck out “of incorporation” after “articles” wherever appearing.

1972—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 92–595 added subsec. (d).

1967—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–104 provided for consideration of availability of financing, the geographic area, the business reputation, ownership factor, and probability of successful operations of company including adequate profitability and financial soundness and eliminated from consideration the number of such companies previously organized in the United States and the volume of their operations.

1961—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–341, § 11(a), provided that small business investment companies shall be incorporated, organized and chartered under State law, with a minimum succession period of thirty years unless sooner dissolved by its activities and functions, its area of operation shall be subject to the Administration’s approval, and deleted provisions setting the minimum number of incorporators at 10, no company shall be chartered by the Administration unless it determined that none could be chartered under the laws of the State and operate in accordance with this chapter, and that no such company shall be chartered by the Administration under this section after June 30, 1961.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–341, § 11(b)(1), (2), substituted “such a company’s articles of incorporation and permit it to operate under the provisions of this chapter” for “the establishment of such a company and its proposed articles of incorporation”, and provided that if the Administration approves the company to operate under the provisions of this chapter, it may issue the company a license for such operation.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–341, § 11(b)(3), repealed subsec. (d) which specified the general powers of a company formed under this section.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87–341, § 11(b)(3), repealed subsec. (e) which provided for a board of directors for a company formed under this section.

1960—Subsec. (d)(9) to (11). Pub. L. 86–502 repealed par. (9) which empowered companies to act as depositories or fiscal agents of the United States, and redesignated pars. (10) and (11) as (9) and (10), respectively.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–135 effective Oct. 1, 1997, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105–135, set out as a note under section 631 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–104, title II, § 211, Oct. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 272, provided that: “The effective date of this title [amending this section and sections 682 to 684, 686, 687, 687b, and 692 of this title] shall be ninety days after enactment [Oct. 11, 1967], except that, with respect to section 207 [amending section 686 of this title], it shall be January 1, 1968.”

### Savings Provision

Pub. L. 104–208, div. D, title II, § 208(b)(3)(B), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–742, provided that: “The repeal under subparagraph (A) [repealing subsec. (d) of this section] shall not be construed to require the Administrator to cancel, revoke, withdraw, or modify any license issued under section 301(d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 [subsec. (d) of this section] before the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 30, 1996].”

### Regulatory Review

Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 408(d), Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1017, directed Small Business Administration, not later than 90 days after Sept. 4, 1992, to complete a review of regulations intended to provide for safety and soundness of small business investment companies which obtain financing from the Administration under provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C. 661 et seq., and to exempt from such regulations, or to separately regulate, companies which do not obtain financing from the Administration.

### Reports to Congress

Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 408(e), Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1017, directed Administration, within 180 days after Sept. 4, 1992, to report on actions taken pursuant to section 408(d) of Pub. L. 102–366, formerly set out above, to the Committees on Small Business of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including the rationale for its actions.

Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 417(b), Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1019, provided that not later than 4 years after Sept. 4, 1992, the Comptroller General was to transmit to Congress a report that reviewed the Small Business Investment Company program established under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) for the 3-year period following Sept. 4, 1992, with respect to each item listed in section 687(g)(3) of this title.