Reading this article, there is a line,
In 2020, when the program launched, many businesses reported being shut out of the first waves of funding when hundreds of billions of dollars were allocated within days and better connected businesses – that had previous relationships with bigger banks – were able to get approved before other businesses had had their applications considered.
whichi, simply I don't understand at all.
Question 1
"for" in replace of "and"?
when hundreds of billions of dollars were allocated within days and better connected businesses – that had previous relationships with bigger banks
Wouldn' this "and" be rather "for"? Meaning, in 2020 this prohram was launched it was small businesses which had had previously good relationship with bigger banks, were subject to the first funding.
Question 2
What does this last line mean?
were able to get approved before other businesses had had their applications considered.
Is this line trying to say same with above?
Thank you for the help in advance(m_m).