A Growing Small Business Financial Fraud Problem

Home equity lending is shifting fast and hidden risks could be costing you.

• Fraud is rising: Identity theft and misrepresentation are becoming more common, increasing losses and slowing approvals.
• Workflows are outdated: Manual processes and legacy systems are creating bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Profitability is impacted: Many lenders underestimate how these issues affect their bottom line.

Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report dives into the financial health of the restaurant sector amid rising costs and shifting consumer behavior.

Key insights:

• Menu prices at Full-Service Restaurants rose 4.6% in August — outpacing inflation.
• Limited-Service Restaurants are showing improved credit risk scores, suggesting stronger adaptability.
• Credit access is tightening across the board, with average credit limits falling below $6,000.
• Revolving credit utilization is climbing — an early signal of potential cash flow strain.

What does this mean for lenders and decision makers?

✅ Not all restaurant types face the same risks.

✅ Segmenting credit strategies is more important than ever.

✅ Watch utilization and inquiry trends closely — they may be early indicators of distress.

Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!

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Learn how background screeners can modernize employment verifications and improve outcomes:

• Reduce manual intervention with digital response channels
• Maintain compliance while strengthening data accuracy
• Boost efficiency and client confidence with best practices

The U.S. economy shows signs of steady growth in Q3, yet challenges remain. A cooling labor market and persistent inflation create uncertainty, prompting lenders to stay cautious while adapting. Even in this dynamic environment, growth opportunities continue to emerge across the industry.