Sarkozy ‘Arm Twisting’ Pushes France Past U.S. in Small Loans

Michel Grosselin rushed down the marble hallway of the court in Sedan, northern France, with five minutes left to avert the liquidation of a carpet factory he wanted to buy. He had obtained bank loans with government help.

Nine months after that June day, his factory is churning out blue-gray carpets for the Basel World Jewelry and Watch Show, employs 151 people and expects to be profitable this year.