The US Small Business Administration expanded its loan subsidy program to help small businesses from 2009 to 2010. Big banks preferred issuing many small loans, while small banks issued fewer but larger loans. Small banks, especially those in the SBA's Preferred Lender Program, increased both the number and size of loans the most. Big banks were less responsive to the policy change, despite being the main lenders. This has important implications since taxpayer money funded the expansion.