A recent survey real estate industry survey indicated that tight standards for small business lending apparently continues to be an obstacle to economic growth.Small Businesses require capital to purchase commercial RE, such as land, warehouse, suburban office and retail space to name a few. …

 Bernanke said small business loans from banks, though increasing, were still 15 percent below their 2008 peak at the end of last year. Banks complain that the strict regulations make it more difficult for them to lend, but Bernanke claims he has urged regulators to take a more "balanced" approach …

Loans to small business dropped in April for the first time in a year.  The decline in credit approvals was across the board, from big banks to small banks to credit unions. The rate held steady for alternative lenders. Both borrowers and lenders are proceeding with caution as the economy continues …

Small businesses are waiting longer to get paid. Highly dependent on regular cash flow for working capital, this delay makes it difficult to count on being able to pay vendors, suppliers and their own employees.  A vendor assurance service can be a critical tool in maintaining vendor and customer …

 While there seems to be general agreement among bankers, small business owners, and policymakers that small business lending has declined substantially since before the financial crisis, there seems to be disagreement as to the culprit. Banks profit by making loans,  not refusing them and most …

Has increased competition by small banks and non-bank lenders forced the big banks to "lighten up" their standards? Business lending is experiencing and increased demand, according to the Federal Reserve.  In response to the demand, business lending is up among larger banks. Interestingly, the …

According to a recent survey, small business pessimism is at its lowest level since the recession.   Optimism is up regarding not only their own companies, but also the economy in general.  Although still not back to pre-recession levels, this trend of positive thinking seems to be headed in the …

While the Feds have been touting the slight uptick in the economy, a recent report indicates that the flow of capital may be slowing.  While the situation for small business seems to be improving since 2008, middle market companies remain cautiously optimistic on 2012 growth. Will the drop in loans …

Is small business lending really a fairy tale? The author of the article below makes an interesting and acute analogy.  Small business credit has been both too readily available - creating businesses that were destined to fail - and is now too tight - preventing potentially good businesses from …

Often, for small businesses, one lender or type of financing may not be adequate to meet complicated needs. Finding the most appropriate mix of financing at the best cost and coordinating the different specialty lenders to a successful closing, can be a difficult process.  It would be wise to hire …

No Assets? No Problem!  Hit hard by the last several years of a slow economy, the number of small businesses seeking credit is on the rise.  Rejected in the lending line by banks and other commercial finance options, businesses with fewer assets or collateral are turning to the cash advance …

According to a recent study, the number of small businesses applying for credit was on the rise last year but, unfortunately, so were rejections.  Despite claims of an improving economy, small businesses continue to suffer financially. Many companies who managed to weather the economic storm of the …

It is continually noted by leaders  in government and the finance communities, that middle market companies represent critical opportunities for job creation and economic growth and could be the key to turning around the struggling US economy. However, business owners in the middle market -- …

A recent blog post cited data from a Thomson Reuters study indicating that the number and quality of asset based credit lines is growing.  That is great news, especially for small and mid-sized businesses who are often turned down by their banks and rely on working capital from alternative …

Banks have apparently resigned themselves to the fact that the economy is still sluggish.  Creditworthy borrowers are harder to come by than ever, leading to a decline in lending and therefore no big revenue recovery for the Banks.   To combat the sluggish growth in profits, banks are clamping …

Even as consumer credit enjoys the prospect of a brighter future, according to a recent survey of bank risk managers, the outlook for business credit is not so rosy.  The general consensus of 272 bank risk managers indicates that the credit crunch for small business is going to get worse before it …

Source: CNN Money, June 1, 2011 by Randy Schwimmer While few people were paying attention, asset-based lending returned with a vengeance. Most of the attention in leveraged loans these days has gone to the cash-flow crowd. With few exceptions, little has been written about asset-based lending. Yet …

The quarterly report recently released by the Commercial Finance Association, underscores the rising need for business credit.  With all data in from those lenders surveyed, the CFA attributes this increase in credit needs to a rise in the economy.  Their assertion is that as businesses emerge …

Bankruptcy can offer businesses a fresh start but should be a last resort.  It is time consuming, expensive and poses problems for businesses looking for capital in the future.  In most cases, filing for bankruptcy can be avoided by using a debt restructuring firm to negotiate with creditors.  …

Surprisingly, despite a bankruptcy filing, small businesses are still able to reorganize and become profitable.  The major difference between those who have filed vs. those who have not, according to a recent report released by the USSBA, appears to be their ability to qualify for future loans …

Surprisingly, a bankruptcy filing does not seem to burden small businesses any more than normal.  The major difference between those who have filed vs. those who have not, according to a recent report released by the USSBA, appears to be their ability to qualify for future loans and the percentage …

A Recent CFA study shows that asset based lenders play a critical role in providing the financing businesses need to stay afloat and grow through tough times.  Often, businesses experiencing a rough patch or rapid growth cannot qualify for a conventional bank loan. In this case, an asset based loan …

Source: CNN Money.com, by Catherine Clifford 2/11/11 NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The numbers back up what small business owners have been saying for two years: Main Street suffered a brutal credit crunch. The total value of outstanding loans to small businesses plunged by $43 billion, or 6.2%, between …

Source: The Arizona Republic, Jan. 1 2011, by Russ Wiles Tight bank credit has created opportunities for rival lenders, including factoring companies. These firms offer loans to businesses based on their uncollected billings. "They're getting advances on their accounts receivable," said Robyn …

Interview with: Doug Winget, FirstMerit Bank source: by Matt McClellan, Smart Business Columbus | November 2010 For many companies, obtaining credit through conventional cash flow lending arrangements can be difficult. They may be having operational problems, undergoing rapid growth, dealing with …

Source: The Columbus Dispatch.com Newsmaker Q&A Sunday, October 17, 2010  Politicians in Washington have differing ideas about how to jump-start the U.S. economy, but most agree that entrepreneurship and small business will be the driving forces behind a long-term recovery. This year, …

Source:  Bloomberg News By Christine Richard and John Detrixhe - Sep 30, 2010 Record-low borrowing costs for the biggest U.S. companies such as Microsoft Corp. are failing to trickle down to Mel Hodges’s five-person computer consulting firm in Pennsylvania. Microsoft, the world’s largest …

Source: New York Times,  September 15 by Catherine Rampell for Economix The biggest single problem facing America’s small businesses isn’t taxes or overregulation. It’s low demand, according to a new report released by the National Federation of Independent Business. Thirty-one percent of …