SBA Paycheck Protection Program Update

First Citizens Bank is proud to have helped nearly 23,000 businesses across our communities secure loans totaling $3.2 billion through the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP.

"Taking care of our customers is our promise—it's who we are, especially during times like these", said Chairman and CEO Frank Holding. "I'd like to thank our clients for their patience and trust in us as we've navigated this process and the unusual operating environment. I'd also like to thank our associates for diligently working day and night to help businesses access this PPP funding. It's been an incredible display of teamwork and dedication, and we're grateful for the opportunity to support small businesses and their vital role in the communities we serve."

PPP New Loan Applications

Important Update: We have stopped accepting new PPP applications for First and Second Draw loans as of close of business Friday, April 23, 2021.

PPP Loan Forgiveness

For borrowers who want to begin the forgiveness process, you can complete the application and submit any required documentation using First Citizens Digital Banking, BOB Advantage® or Commercial Advantage. These online portals were designed to make submission easier and secure, and to ensure timely processing.

You'll be able to log in, see your SBA information pre-filled, and then complete, submit and attest to the information on the respective forgiveness application. You can also upload documentation, if it's required.

Instructions for Submitting a 3508S Forgiveness Application

If you've determined you're eligible to submit the SBA Form 3508S application, simply follow the instructions below for accessing our client portal and you'll be guided through the necessary steps to complete the application submission process. In many situations, no documentation is required to be submitted to the bank at the time of the application.

• First Citizens Digital Banking customers: View Digital Banking steps to submit $150k or less forgiveness application (PDF) that will guide you through submitting your forgiveness application.
• Commercial Advantage customers: View Commercial Advantage steps to submit $150k or less forgiveness application (PDF) that will guide you through submitting your forgiveness application.

Instructions for Submitting a 3508 Standard or 3508EZ Forgiveness Application

If you are not eligible to use the 3508S Application, you must use either SBA Form 3508 standard or SBA Form 3508EZ and provide us with the necessary documentation to review before we send it to the SBA for a final decision on the forgiveness amount.

To make the process as easy as possible for you, we've created a quick documentation checklist to guide you through the items you'll need to include if you're submitting either the SBA Form 3508 standard or 3508EZ forgiveness application. Please refer to the PPP Forgiveness Application documentation checklist (PDF) for a complete list of the documents required in the following categories and be sure to include the following documentation if required:

Payroll Documents: Payroll must account for at least 60% of the forgiveness request amount.

Non-Payroll Documents: Non-Payroll amounts cannot account for more than 40% of the forgiveness request amount.

• First Citizens Digital Banking customers: View Digital Banking steps to submit SBA PPP forgiveness application (PDF) that will guide you through submitting your forgiveness application.
  
• Commercial Advantage customers: View Commercial Advantage steps to submit SBA PPP forgiveness application (PDF) that will guide you through submitting your forgiveness application.

If you experience any challenges submitting your information through the First Citizens Digital Banking or Commercial Advantage portal, please reach out to your local First Citizens Bank associate directly for further assistance.

Helpful Resources: Application Instructions and Required Documentation

If you haven't already, we encourage you to review the SBA's three updated forgiveness applications to get an idea of the documentation requirements and determine which application form is appropriate for your situation:

• SBA Form 3508 Standard (PDF)
• SBA Form 3508EZ (PDF)
• SBA Form 3508S (PDF)

It may also be helpful to review the SBA's Loan Forgiveness Requirements and Loan Review Procedures (PDF) and Frequently Asked Questions on PPP Loan Forgiveness (PDF). Loan forgiveness terms for both first draw and second draw PPP loans are available on the SBA's website at sba.gov.

Use the SBA PPP Forgiveness Application Checklist (PDF) to review the required documentation to apply.

Commonly Asked Questions About the Forgiveness Process

1. Can I apply for forgiveness before the end of my covered period? If so, how do I enter my covered period in the application?

While it is acceptable to apply for forgiveness before the end of the 24-week covered period, the covered period entry must still reflect the full 8- or 24-week period, even if all the funds were used in a period less than 24 weeks. The covered period does not end on the date you spent all the PPP proceeds. The SBA will not accept an application without covered periods entered correctly.

Sample dates for clarification:

2. Is it necessary to provide all of the required documentation listed on the application instructions?

Yes. For both the standard and EZ forgiveness applications, make sure you provide all of the required documentation up front so we can ensure a more timely processing experience. For a complete listing of required documentation, see below or refer to the standard loan forgiveness application instructions (PDF) or EZ forgiveness application instructions (PDF). We may be unable to approve your loan forgiveness application until we receive all required documentation.

Business Entities (C-Corp, S-Corp, LLCs Taxed as Corporations); Non-Profits (501(c)(3), 501(c)(19)):

• Bank account statements or third-party payroll service provider reports documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to employees; AND
• Tax forms (or equivalent third-party payroll service provider reports) for periods that overlap with the Covered Period (or Alternative Payroll Covered Period), including: Form 941 or other payroll tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the IRS; and State quarterly business and individual employee wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the relevant state; AND
• Payment receipts, canceled checks or account statements documenting the amount of any employer contributions to employee health insurance and retirement plans that Borrower included in its forgiveness amount calculations; AND
• For EZ Form Applicants: If Borrower checked the second box on the first page to the EZ Form instructions, Borrower must provide documentation verifying the average number of FTEs on payroll employed by Borrower on January 1, 2020, and the end of the Covered Period

Partnership/LLCs Taxed as Partnership (With Employees):

Partner/Owner Compensation Replacement

• For each partner/owner, 2019 Schedule K-1 for the periods that overlap with the applicable Covered Period and that report Self-Employment Income (line 14 of Schedule K-1); AND
• Bank account statements documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to partners/owners

Employee Payroll and Benefits

• Bank account statements or third-party payroll service provider reports documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to employees; AND
• Tax forms (or equivalent third-party payroll service provider reports) for periods that overlap with the Covered Period (or Alternative Payroll Covered Period), including: Form 941 or other payroll tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the IRS; and State quarterly business and individual employee wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the relevant state; AND
• Payment receipts, cancelled checks or account statements documenting the amount of any employer contributions to employee health insurance and retirement plans that Borrower included in its forgiveness amount calculations

Partnership/LLCs Taxed as Partnership (Without Employees):

• For each partner/owner, 2019 Schedule K-1 for the periods that overlap with the applicable Covered Period and that report Self-Employment Income (line 14 of Schedule K-1); AND
• Bank account statements documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to partners/owners

Sole Proprietor/Self-Employed/Independent Contractor/Single Member LLCs (With employees):

Owner Compensation Replacement

• 2019 Form 1040, Schedule C for the periods that overlap with the applicable Covered Period and that report net profit in line 31 of Schedule C; AND
• Bank account statements documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to owner

Payroll and Benefits

• Bank account statements or third-party payroll service provider reports documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to employees; AND
• Tax forms (or equivalent third-party payroll service provider reports) for periods that overlap with the Covered Period (or Alternative Payroll Covered Period), including: Form 941 or other payroll tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the IRS; and State quarterly business and individual employee wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings reported, or that will be reported, to the relevant state; AND
• Payment receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements documenting the amount of any employer contributions to employee health insurance and retirement plans that Borrower included in its forgiveness amount calculations

Sole Proprietor/Self-Employed/Independent Contractor/Single Member LLCs (Without employees):

• 2019 Form 1040, Schedule C for the periods that overlap with the applicable Covered Period and that report net profit in line 31 of Schedule C; AND
• Bank account statements documenting the amount of cash compensation paid to sole proprietor/self-employed person/owner/independent contractor

What To Expect After Submitting Your Forgiveness Application

Once you submit a complete forgiveness application, First Citizens has 60 days to review your application and issue a decision to the SBA. The SBA then has 90 days to render a final decision and remit the appropriate forgiveness amount, plus any accrued interest.

You'll receive notice from us regarding the final disposition of your forgiveness application and, if applicable, related next steps once we receive the final decision from the SBA.

Again, there is no rush for you to apply, and new PPP-related legislation may be passed that simplifies and streamlines your forgiveness application process. However, we wanted to make it possible for you to submit your application now if you choose to do so.

As always, your local First Citizens Bank associate is available to assist and support you through this process.