The Trump administration’s small business bailout programme has been plagued by problems from the start, with complaints that large companies crowded out the kinds of small enterprises and independent contractors it was designed to help. With a fresh round of funding on offer from Washington, we hear from several business owners trying to get their share, as well as the FT’s Laura Noonan who has been reporting on the programme since it launched.  To get free access to the FT’s Coronavirus Business Update newsletter for 30 days, visit ft.com/behindthemoneycovid. A few stories for further reading: US small business rescue fund strained by rush of claims https://www.ft.com/content/0467d0e1-6814-4cc4-ad4b-e25c80169466 Can Congress save US small businesses? FT reporters answer your questions https://www.ft.com/content/55b0f191-5ea2-4762-bf8c-13d6a11e61ed ‘Where is my loan?’ Small businesses miss out on US rescue funds https://www.ft.com/content/e6a06f94-5d2f-43a0-8aac-c7adddca0b0e ---- You might also be interested in a three-day digital conference hosted by the Financial Times. On 12-14 May, the FT, in partnership with TNW, will gather the most senior global decision makers and leading minds in policy, business, tech and finance for three days of online conversations with top FT journalists, analysing the impact of the pandemic across global economies, industries and markets, and outlining what is required to shape the optimal conditions for recovery at this most challenging of times. Register at globalboardroom.ft.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When credit markets seized up earlier in March, more than 130 companies rushed to their lenders to draw down at least $124bn of emergency credit lines to shore up cash, with Ford and General Motors drawing the largest amounts. We look at how the auto industry is preparing for the economic uncertainty that lies ahead. With the FT's Peter Campbell and Gillian Tett. We want to hear from you. Please go to ft.com/behindthemoneysurvey and fill out our survey for a chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling headphones.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.