The United States Small Business Association is an economic development agency of the federal government established in 1953 and based in Washington, District of Columbia. The agency provides financial assistance programs for small businesses to meet key financing needs including debt financing, equipment loans, surety bonds, and equity financing. SBA programs include financial assistance, small business audiences, counseling, and training, contracting, disaster assistance, advocacy, laws and regulations, initiatives and civil rights compliance. Financial institutions and other organizations work with the SBA to give small businesses loans. The SBA has three loan programs: 7(a), CDC/504, and Microloans. Through a network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.