SOUTH BEND — President Bush and his top advisers say they're not crazy about the government buying into the nation's banking system, but they say it's necessary to free up credit.

Here are the key four elements of the plan:

The Treasury will spend up to $250 billion to buy shares in the nation's leading banks.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will guarantee new, unsecured debt issued by banks.

It will also temporarily provide unlimited coverage for all non-interest bearing accounts. That's where businesses typically keep money to cover near-term expenses like payroll.

And finally, the Federal Reserve is finalizing plans for a temporary program to buy short-term commercial paper. That is the prime source of funding used to cover operating costs at many of the nation's largest companies and financial institutions.

So what do local small businesses and economic experts think of the plan? A Notre Dame finance professor says the federal government had no choice but to act to restore trust in the U.S. banking system.

Despite the crisis, we found one small business that is actually doing pretty well in these down times.

"In fact, I've seen business kind of creep up a bit in the last few weeks," said Brooke Cannoot of Dhanwantari Center for Yoga and Well-Being in downtown South Bend.

But for the other 11,000 small businesses in St. Joseph County, it’s a very different story. Many are putting expansion plans on hold, laying off workers, or even shutting their doors. The Chamber of Commerce says small businesses and banks need to work closely together.

"Are you looking at investing in capital equipment or a facility or things like that down the road? Start to have those conversations now,” said Phil Damico, the director of business growth at the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County. ”Find out what it's going to look like 12 to 18 months down the road," he said.

Notre Dame Finance Professor Thomas Cosimano hopes this latest action gets things moving again.

"The idea, then, is to make it easier for loans to be made from one bank to another,” Cosimano said. “And that will free up the entire credit market."

Small businesses like Cannoot’s yoga studio will be able to take out loans again. But as long as there is uncertainty, she is ready to help people deal with the tension.

"Yoga and the other services we offer here are a perfect way to feel grounded and supported and at ease with everything that's going on," Cannoot said.

Notre Dame finance professor Thomas Cosimano tells WSBT that we should look at this $250 billion bailout plan as in investment. If it succeeds, he says, the U.S. government will actually make that money back, plus interest.