GE Deal with PayPal Enables Microloans

Margaret Keane, the president and chief executive of GE Consumer Finance, of Stamford, Conn., said this is the second lending product that GE and eBay, of San Jose, Calif., have introduced jointly. The first, which came out May 6 and was not tied to eBay's PayPal product, was aimed at more substantial businesses; it was a working capital line of credit for up to $50,000.

She said the newer product is meant to address the needs of smaller businesses and individuals. "This was our first venture with them on the consumer finance side," Ms. Keane said. Even if a consumer already has a credit card, the PayPal product "allows them to keep a line of credit aside for all their PayPal purchases," she said. Ms. Keane is open to future ventures with PayPal. "We're looking for new ways to expand our offerings in new channels," she said.