President Barack Obama on Monday offered a fresh package of aid to small businesses —"the heart of the American economy" — in an aggressive push to get big banks that got federal bailout money to do more lending to these struggling entrepreneurs.

"You deserve a chance. America needs you to have that chance," Obama told small business owners gathered in the White House East Room. "And as president I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that you have the opportunity to contribute to your community, to our economy and to the future of the United States of America," the president said. More here.