Investment banks advising on corporate dealmaking received tens of millions of dollars from the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which were earmarked to assist small businesses in the pandemic-induced economic crisis, according to government-released data.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was under pressure from Congress to reveal where the Paycheck Protection Program loans have gone.
The objective of the loan is to help businesses restore employment to pre-pandemic levels.
The US Small Business Association will forgive loans if the beneficiaries meet all employee retention criteria, and the funds were used for eligible expenses.
PPP beneficiaries have to certify in good faith that the economic crisis makes the loan necessary to enable them to support their operations.
JMP Group LLC, an underwriter of high-profile IPOs, including those of Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc, received a PPP loan between $2 million and $5 million that helped it retain 126 jobs.
JMP's shares surged in value by a third since March.
Broadhaven Capital Partners LLC, which advised on more than $50 billion worth of deals in the past decade, was cleared for a PPP loan of between $350,000 and $1 million.
Union Square Advisors LLC, North Point Advisors Inc, and Sawaya Partners LLC were each approved loans of between $350,000 and $1 million.
The loans helped the investment banks each 24 to 35 jobs.
Methuselah Advisors LLC availed a PPP loan for $169,160, enabling it to retain its staff after several projects were discontinued or suspended.
Among the beneficiaries was a fancy sushi restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, President Trump's longtime personal lawyer, high-priced law firms, and Washington lobbying shops.


Gold Prices Rebound But Head for Worst Month Since 2008 Amid Iran War Uncertainty
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected
Oil Prices Slide as Iran Tensions Ease and U.S. Crude Stockpiles Swell
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying
Australia's Trade Surplus Surges in February on Gold Export Boom
U.S. Stock Futures Steady Amid Iran Ceasefire Talks and Trump Address
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 4-Year High in March 2025 Driven by Semiconductor Demand
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as Yen Weakens Toward 160 Per Dollar
U.S. Job Market Braces for Slow Recovery Amid Middle East Tensions and Economic Uncertainty
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears
South Korea's Inflation Rises Modestly in March Amid Oil Price Pressures
Gulf War Ceasefire Hopes Weigh on Dollar Ahead of Trump Address
U.S. Dollar Climbs as Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Iran
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated
Gold Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Spark Market Optimism
Asian Stocks Drop as Trump Signals Iran War Escalation
Bank of Japan Eyes Further Rate Hikes Amid Middle East Tensions and Inflation Pressures 



