Loan Approval Percentages Rise for All Categories of Lenders, Reach New Heights for Banks and Institutional Lenders in June, According to The Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index^TM

"The continued strength of the economy and optimism among small business owners are important factors in these results. Entrepreneurs are confident and are investing in the growth of their companies," said Biz2Credit CEO Rohit Arora, who oversees the monthly report. "The markets are performing well, unemployment is just 3.8%, and the small business optimism is extremely high, according to the monthly NFIB survey."

"Small banks are approving nearly half of the loan applications they receive. Many of them are involved in making SBA loans, which provide government guarantees that mitigate risk for the lenders," Arora explained. "Smaller banks are a good source of capital for startups and companies with less than stellar credit ratings."

"These lenders (pension funds, insurance companies, and others), are seeking high yields and finding them in small business lending," Arora explained. "Their volumes are growing each year, and they are funding companies while offering attractive rates and terms. Institutional lenders have become a real force in small business funding."

"Firms that don't qualify for traditional small business loans because they have not been in business long or have poor credit histories are able to obtain capital from non-bank lenders," Arora explained. "Alternative lenders charge high interest rates, but are able to provide funding for companies that need money quickly."

"Even credit union lending to small business picked up in June," Arora said. "Credit union approvals had been steadily declining this year. June's figure was the highest since January 2018."