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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