Sam's Club will offer small business loans ($5,000 to $25,000)

[singer]

Why focus on only minority, women and veterans? Is that supposed to turn Sam's Club into some type of saint?

[jtbigwoo]

It's about finding under-valued opportunities, I'd imagine.

I assume that minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned businesses are similarly risky compared to businesses owned by white males. (Perhaps they're even less risky in some industries due to quotas, etc.) If these disadvantaged businesses are getting fewer loans because the bank managers are discriminating, it could be an opportunity for Wal Mart to make some money where big banks aren't.

[j_baker]

No, but it does show that Walmart is at least trying to not be an evil megacorporation.

[stcredzero]

So, this is like "micro-finance" but with larger granularity suited to the North American environment.

[ryansloan]

But will you have to buy a full pallet of them from the aisle next to the socks?