The FTC has announced that on Wednesday, May 8, it will host a forum on small business lending which will examine trends and consumer protection issues in the marketplace. The event will feature opening remarks by FTC Commissioner, Rohit Chopra, and closing remarks by FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, Andrew Smith. We will be following this hearing very closely since small business loans and merchant cash advances are often treated the same way as consumer loans for purposes of federal and state laws.