If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that help comes in all shapes and sizes; just ask business owners who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. In other parts of the country, the post-hurricane devastation is old news. However, for business owners who face that reality every day, there’s nothing old about it.

People are still cleaning up, rebuilding, and scraping by. That’s not to say there aren’t glimmers of hope. In the aftermath of the hurricane, financial institutions have stepped up to help. The IRS has extended the tax deadline for storm victims and their families. Local banks are waiving mortgage payments and late fees for 90 days or more. Even the Small Business Association is lightening the load; over the last several months, their loan approvals surpassed the $1 billion mark.

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