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COLEMAN: Small Business Lender News of the Day for Monday, October 20, 2025

Michigan Business Network: Coleman Report

Main Street Monday: Credit Conditions Cautiously Optimistic says KC Fed

by Bob Coleman

Founder & Publisher

Small business credit conditions are showing cautious optimism this fall, according to new data from the Kansas City Federal Reserve and the Bank of America Institute. The tone from both sources suggests a steady—if uneven—recovery across Main Street.

Small business credit conditions are showing cautious optimism this fall, according to new data from the Kansas City Federal Reserve and the Bank of America Institute. The tone from both sources suggests a steady—if uneven—recovery across Main Street.

Lending Momentum Continues

In the second quarter of 2025, new small business lending increased 7.5% from both the prior quarter and the same period last year. That’s a welcome rebound after 2024’s tightening cycle. The Federal Reserve’s survey of 121 lenders shows term loans outpacing credit lines, signaling renewed interest in long-term capital expenditures rather than short-term liquidity.

However, bankers note a persistent decline in borrower credit quality, a trend that has stretched across multiple quarters. Looking ahead, lenders expect labor costs, inflation, and trade policy to dampen loan demand over the next year, even as interest rates, tax policy, technology adoption, and regulatory clarity provide tailwinds.

Credit Stress Still Contained—for Now

Bank of America’s internal data shows small business credit card balances per client were up 3% in September from the 2024 average, with utilization rates only slightly higher. That modest divergence may suggest some small firms are carrying balances longer or delaying payments, but overall credit stress remains limited.

The Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) echoes this stability. The net percentage of banks reporting tighter standards for small firms has eased slightly since January—and remains below the tightening levels seen for large commercial borrowers.

Payments Pulse: Spending Still Positive

On the payments side, total small business transactions rose 3.7% year-over-year in September, according to Bank of America. Debit card volumes led the way, up 5.8%, while credit card activity slipped 0.4%. The data indicates that while small businesses continue to spend, many are keeping a closer eye on cash flow and avoiding additional debt.

The Banker’s Takeaway

Main Street may not be booming, but it’s far from bust. The credit appetite is cautious, but the capital expenditure growth trend—paired with a slowdown in tightening—offers a solid foundation heading into year-end. 

As one regional banker summed it up:

“The demand is there. The difference now is we’re underwriting for durability, not desperation.”

View the full data report here.

Life Insurance for SBA and Business Loans 

by Ben Koplan

CLU, CFP®, LifeEase

Life Insurance for SBA and Business Loans shouldn’t be left to inexperienced agents. SBA Loans continue to serve as the fuel that drives the growth of the American economy. However, the 2025 recession—driven by persistent inflation, global supply constraints, and higher borrowing costs—has slowed expansion in some industries while reshaping how entrepreneurs access capital. Despite tighter credit conditions, small business formation has remained remarkably strong. The U.S. saw roughly 4.7 million new businesses launched in 2025, underscoring continued entrepreneurial resilience and confidence amid economic headwinds.

SBA loan activity has also reached unprecedented levels. In Fiscal Year 2025, the SBA guaranteed over 84,000 loans totaling approximately $44.8 billion, representing the highest lending volume in SBA history. Even as lending standards tightened midyear under the revised SOP 50 10 8 regulations, loan dollars approved per borrower rose significantly, especially for established and growing enterprises.

Construction, retail, and food service industries led borrowing, helping businesses sustain operations and expand despite a challenging economic environment.

Each year, tens of thousands of businesses rely on these SBA-backed loans—and in 2025, that number is larger than ever. These loans are vital for success, yet traditional life insurance agents often struggle to process SBA-required life insurance quickly, causing delays in loan closings and increased stress for lenders and borrowers alike.

What if an insurance partner could consistently underwrite borrowers, produce a policy, and execute collateral assignments in 3–5 business days? Wouldn’t that make a significant, positive impact on your borrowers’ loan experience?

The LifeEase Difference

LifeEase works with hundreds of lenders across the country, and the story is consistent: underwriting and collateral assignments are often the bottlenecks that delay closings. Traditional agents tend to push paper-based methods and old-school approval workflows—exactly what modern lenders can’t afford during tight economic cycles. Loan officers tell us time and again that outdated insurance processes slow down fundings, frustrate borrowers, and jeopardize deals.

That’s why LifeEase built a streamlined, proprietary online platform connecting lenders and borrowers directly to the most competitive insurance policies on the market. Our advanced digital systems accelerate both policy issuance and collateral assignment delivery—allowing lenders to close loans faster, even during periods of high demand.

Policy in Days, not Weeks

By securely obtaining medical history electronically, LifeEase can approve most applicants for up to $5 million in life insurance coverage with no medical exam in under 30 minutes. That speed not only reduces underwriting friction but also allows policy documents and collateral assignments to be delivered in as little as 1–2 business days.

Gone are the days of losing clients due to antiquated insurance practices or administrative bottlenecks. Don’t risk closing delays by relying on inexperienced local agents. With LifeEase, life insurance for SBA and business loans fits seamlessly into the lending process—ensuring that coverage and closing timelines finally align.

Summary

In 2025, small business owners face both heightened challenges and new opportunities. Despite recession pressures and a more difficult borrowing environment, entrepreneurship in the U.S. remains vibrant, with millions of new businesses launched and record-high SBA lending. Life insurance remains a critical component of most SBA loans, protecting both lenders and business owners from unforeseen risks. By leveraging technology and specialized expertise, LifeEase accelerates insurance and collateral assignments, helping ensure that life insurance requirements never stand in the way of a timely loan close.

Read full LifeEase white paper here.

Learn about LifeEase here.

Avoid the Top Ten Equity Injection Mistakes That Put Your SBA Guaranty at Risk — Webinar 10/22

Equity injection documentation continues to be one of the most heavily scrutinized areas in SBA lending. Examiners, reviewers, and auditors consistently flag the same issues, and lenders who fail to meet the SBA’s exact requirements risk repairs or denials of their guaranty.

In this webinar, former SBA Little Rock Servicing Center Deputy Director Lance Sexton provides an industry-level presentation on equity injection compliance. Lance will cover exactly what reviewers look for, where lenders often go wrong, and how to document equity injection so your files pass SBA and third-party audits without exception.

Read more and register here

SBA Leadership: Lender Servicing & Portfolio Strategy with New SOP 5057 4 — Webinar 10/30

The SBA’s new SOP 50 57 4 goes into effect November 1, 2025. With major changes to liquidation deadlines, servicing standards, PPP record retention, and lender liability, now is the time to make sure you’re prepared

Coleman Webinar on October 30 – For your SBA Leadership Team

What sets Coleman training apart? Lance Sexton, Coleman’s SBA training expert and former Deputy Director of SBA’s Little Rock Servicing Center, leads both sessions. Lance has walked in your shoes and sat on SBA’s side of the table—bringing a rare dual perspective. He knows where lenders trip up, how SBA evaluates servicing and liquidation decisions, and what practical steps protect the guaranty.

Coleman’s webinars go beyond reading rules. They deliver clear explanations, real-world examples, and lender-focused strategies your team can use immediately. Don’t wait until November to adjust—get ahead of the curve with Coleman’s trusted training.

Coleman’s SBA Franchise Risk Grade Report — $295 Per Report

The Coleman Franchise Report is the only franchise intelligence tool built specifically for SBA loan underwriters. Packed with up-to-date SBA loan data, FDD analysis, and impartial Coleman Franchise Risk Grades, it delivers the transparency and confidence underwriters need to make better lending decisions.

This report is tailored to your specific needs and evaluates franchises using key SBA criteria, saving you countless hours of research. Empower your underwriters with precise, reliable data and our simple Grading Scale (AAA to F), helping you determine the viability of a franchise with confidence!

Read more and order here

Leverage AI Tools to Craft SBA 7(a) Credit Memos — Onsite Workshop in Oakland, CA on 11/18

Bob Coleman will lead a full-day workshop teaching how to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Co-Pilot to streamline SBA 7(a) credit memo preparation. Attendees will receive hands-on training, work through real loan examples, and get ready-to-use templates to improve their underwriting process.

The event takes place on November 18 from 8AM to 4PM PT at TMC Financing in Oakland, CA, with a networking dinner the evening before. It is designed for SBA underwriters, credit analysts, lending managers, and bank executives looking to boost efficiency and accuracy. Registration is $795 per attendee, and seats are limited.

Read more and register here

SBA Secondary Market Summit — December 4, 2025

Coleman’s SBA Secondary Market Summit is back for 2025! For our 18th year, we’re excited to partner with the National Rural Lenders Roundtable (NRLR) to bring you two premier events under one roof in Washington, DC. Bob Judge will bring his decades of industry knowledge and expert insight to give us a glimpse of what to expect in 2026. Bob Coleman will moderate and put together the only program that brings together the Big Four of the SBA secondary market: Brokers, Investors, Sellers and SBA.

Early registration for the Summit is now open with a special early bird offer — one seat for just $995 if purchased by August 15. Don’t miss this opportunity to save!

Read more and register here

PREVIOUS REPORTING

Startup Founder Sentenced to 7+ Years for Defrauding JPMorgan Chase for $175M (10/17/25)

A Coleman Conversation: Falcon Bridge Capital

SBA Fraud and the Lender

The Keys to the Kingdom — Blueacorn’s Stephanie Hockridge SBA PPP Loan Fraud

UPCOMING COLEMAN WEBINARS

10 Tips to Streamline the SBA Credit Memo for Loans $350,000 and Under — 10/17

Avoid the Top Ten Equity Injection Mistakes That Put Your SBA Guaranty at Risk — 10/22

SBA Leadership: Lender Servicing & Portfolio Strategy with New SOP 5057 4 — 10/30

Lending Conference Schedule 2025

B2B Finance Expo – October 28-29 (Las Vegas, NV)

America West – November 12-14 (Santa Rosa, CA)

Leverage AI to Craft SBA Loan Credit Memos – November 18 (Oakland, CA)

National Rural Lenders Roundtable – December 3 (Washington DC)

SBA Secondary Market Summit – December 4 (Washington DC)

DOEREN MAYHEW

COLEMAN LIBRARY

“Easy Money, Hard Time: 19-Covid PPP Loan Fraud Stories” by Bob Coleman

eBook Available for $14.95

Paperback available for $24.95

Hardcover available for $49.95

SBA 5010 8 (6/25) SBA Loan Policy

Paperback available on Amazon for $29.95

SBA 5057 4 (10/25) SBA Loan Servicing and Liquidation

Hardcover available on Amazon for $39.95

SBA 5056 1 (11/23) SBA Lender Policy

Hardcover available on Amazon for $39.95

 

COLEMAN YOUTUBE

Startup Founder Sentenced to 7+ Years for Defrauding JPMorgan Chase for $175M (10/17/25)

A Coleman Conversation: Falcon Bridge Capital (10/15/25)

Blueacorn’s Stephanie Hockridge SBA PPP Loan Fraud (10/10/25)

A Coleman Conversation: McCune Construction Funds Management (10/8/25)

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