Markets Wired

The Federal Trade Commission has released the agenda for its May 8 event, Strictly Business: An FTC Forum on Small Business Financing. The forum will explore trends and consumer protection issues in the small business financing marketplace, including the recent proliferation of online loans and alternative financing products.

Commissioner Rohit Chopra will give opening remarks at the forum, followed by three panel discussions. The first panel will provide an overview of the small business financing marketplace. The second panel will examine merchant cash advances. The last panel will explore consumer protection risks, applicable laws, and efforts to better protect consumers. Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, will deliver closing remarks.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Constitution Center, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, D.C. The event will be webcast live. A webcast link will be posted on the FTC homepage and on the event page on the day of the event.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.