Any funds of the authority, including proceeds from the sale of bonds or notes issued after the effective date of this section, money set aside for the authority’s administrative expenses, and small business assistance funds created under Section 44548, may be invested in any obligations of any state or local government meeting the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 103 (a)) including mutual funds, trusts, and similar instruments representing a pool of obligations. The Treasurer may adopt regulations providing appropriate investment standards for these investments. If the Treasurer determines it to be necessary to assure compliance with federal tax laws or regulations, the authority may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, deposit funds received as fees from the issuance of its obligations, including small business assistance funds, with a bank or trust company acting on behalf of the authority. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority may also make investments of moneys set aside for the authority’s administrative expenses or in any small business assistance funds by making or purchasing interest-bearing loans to qualified small businesses which are to be assisted pursuant to Section 44548, or under terms and with such security as the authority determines to be appropriate.