SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.-Scott Burger, president of Members Business Services, has this forecast for 2010:
• "We don't think (banks will) be aggressive in our markets. This will provide MBL opportunities to credit unions."
• TARP funds that banks are repaying will flow into small businesses, partly through the SBA.
• Burger believes there is growth available on the professional services side, meaning doctors, dentists, vets, etc.
• Burger foresees opportunities in purchasing or expanding franchises.
• As for the economies of California, Arizona or New Mexico, Burger said, "From the customer point of view, businesses are still cautious. Things are starting to turn, but in California so much of the economy was based on construction and that area is still soft. Things are stabilizing, but nowhere close to the levels of the past."
