Report
Credit and Policy Crosswinds
Published May 27, 2025
Commercial Commercial Insights Credit & Economic Trends Economic & Market Insights
U.S. small businesses are navigating a challenging but stabilizing credit environment, shaped by persistent inflation, elevated interest rates, and cautious consumer sentiment. According to Experian’s latest data, small business credit utilization has remained steady, reflecting disciplined borrowing behavior, while delinquency rates have shown only modest increases, suggesting overall credit health remains intact. The Experian Small Business Index™ indicates a slight uptick in new business credit applications, signaling renewed interest in growth despite macroeconomic headwinds.
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Report
Labor Market Monitor – August 2025
2025 has presented a new wave of challenges for workers and employers to navigate. From immigration policy changes and federal employment cuts, to growing AI capabilities, reduced hiring and job creation revisions, we have seen new dynamics evolve this year that will likely continue to impact the labor market going forward.
The Q3 Labor Market Monitor tracks data from a variety of sources to shed light on these dynamics and gives readers a more comprehensive view of the job market.
Video
How Small Businesses Have Changed Since the Pandemic
According to Experian’s latest Commercial Pulse Report, business formation remains strong:
- 471,000 new business applications were filed in July alone
- Between 2018 and 2023, the number of new businesses establishing commercial credit rose by 38%
- New businesses today look more financially stable than those from earlier years
What’s driving this resilience?
👉 Faster tech adoption
👉 Hybrid business models
👉 Stronger financial fundamentals
The pandemic forced small businesses to transform at record speed. Now, they’re leveraging those lessons to build smarter, more adaptable enterprises.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Webinar
Q2 2025 Quarterly Business Credit Review Webinar
Experian’s Brodie Oldham, VP of Commercial Data Science, and Marsha Silverman, Strategic Analytic Consultant revealed several insights on how small businesses are performing during the Q2 Quarterly Business Credit Review.
During the webinar we asked the audience:
- Which macroeconomic factor is having the greatest impact on small business credit conditions this year?
- What actions if any have you taken in 2025 in response to additional tariff?
- How are small businesses adapting to tighter credit conditions in 2025?
Why you should watch:
- Leading Experts on Commercial and Macro-Economic Trends
- Credit insights and trends on 30+ Million active businesses
- Industry Hot Topics Covered (Inclusive of Business Owner and Small Business Data)
- Commercial Insights you cannot get anywhere else
- Peer Insights with Interactive Polls (Participate)
- Discover and understand small business trends to make informed decisions
- Actionable takeaways based on recent credit performance
Video
Student Loan Debt’s Growing Impact on Small Business Credit Health
Outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. has reached an all-time high of $1.63 trillion, and the ripple effects are being felt far beyond the personal finance arena. This unprecedented debt burden is now shaping the way many small business owners borrow, manage credit, and maintain financial stability.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!