Access to Credit

Opinion Survey:
Small Business Owner Opinions on
Access to Credit and Proposals to
Boost the Economy: January 26, 2012

Executive Summary
Small business owners are suffering from weak sales and decreased customer demand, and on top of that, a lack of access to credit. It is difficult for small business owners to access the credit that will help them grow, hire and jumpstart the economy. Our new opinion polling shows an overwhelming 90% of small business owners nationwide agree the availability of credit for small businesses is a problem, and 61% agree it’s harder to get a loan now than it was four years ago. The vast majority (82%) also supports tighter regulations on credit cards, including clearer disclosure of terms and interest rate caps.

To help address the credit problem, 90% of owners want community banks and credit unions to be permitted to lend more to small businesses. More than three-fourths support providing
incentives to community banks to boost their small business lending.

The housing and mortgage meltdown has also affected small businesses’ capacity to grow and hire. Polling found that nearly three-quarters of small businesses have been hurt to some degree by weak customer demand directly related to the mortgage crisis.

Small business owners were also surveyed about various provisions of the American Jobs Act. Respondents were supportive of proposals included in the plan, many of which are currently being considered by lawmakers.

(Download the entire report (PDF))

About the Organizations

American Sustainable Business Council
American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a powerful coalition of business networks representing over 100,000 companies and 200,000 business leaders. ASBC advocates for public policies that meet the realities of the 21st century global economy. www.asbcouncil.org

Main Street Alliance
The Main Street Alliance is a national network of state-based small business coalitions. MSA creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for themselves on issues that impact their businesses and local economies. www.mainstreetalliance.org

Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national nonpartisan small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners, and focused on solving the biggest problems facing America’s 28 million small businesses. We conduct extensive opinion and economic research and work with small business owners, policy experts and elected officials nationwide to bring small business voices to the public policy table. www.smallbusinessmajority.org