Executives from three small business trade groups will serve on the advisory board of a new coalition that will advocate for methods to provide capital to small companies through nontraditional means.

The Coalition for Responsible Business Finance is "dedicated to bolstering the credibility, reliability and security of the growing nontraditional small-business lending industry," according to its website. Tom Sullivan, former chief counsel for advocacy in the Small Business Administration, will head the organization.

CRBF's advisory board will include representatives from the National Federation of Independent Business, National Small Business Association and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. The groups argue that access to capital for small businesses greatly diminished following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Reform Act in 2010. As a result, the business sector has increasingly turned to nontraditional lending sources.

"CRBF was created to educate state and federal policymakers, media, and communities on how technology and innovation are providing small businesses access to capital that is necessary for growth," Sullivan said. "CRBF is a much-needed voice for an industry that is doing tremendous things for small businesses, the jobs they create and the U.S. economy as a whole."

The coalition didn't say on its site what services constitute nontraditional lending, but generally the term has applied to any service not provided by a bank or other large financial institution. www.responsiblefinance.com

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Former hospital association president dies
• Association pushes state laws to shield gun companies from discrimination
• Setbacks mounting against associations fighting GMO labeling
• Cruise lines association pledges to fight wildlife trafficking
• Candy companies agree not to advertise to children