Small Business Banking Conference

American Banker's 2025 Small Business Banking conference yielded lessons about the need for speed, simplicity and safety in small-business lending. Other key takeaways included the significance of digital payment options and the importance of continuing to process SBA loan requests during the government shutdown.

Brian McEvoy, chief retail banking officer at Webster Five in Central Massachusetts, says community banks are in a unique position to serve more small businesses. He was a speaker Tuesday at American Banker's 2025 Small Business Banking conference.

In an environment of persistent economic unease, banks have a unique opportunity to help small businesses, Sekou Kaalund, U.S. Bank's head of branch and small business banking, said at American Banker's 2025 Small Business Banking conference.

Triad Business Bank in North Carolina, which opened in March, has made $106 million in Paycheck Protection loans.

The agencies produced an application process that includes favorable interpretation of qualifying expenses.

Oxygen helps customers obtain business licenses and separate their personal and business lives. Its says its services will be in demand as the pandemic accelerates a shift away from traditional jobs.

Up to 12% of loans under the $660 billion small-business rescue program could be tied to misleading or completely phony applications, fueling concerns about lenders' potential liability.

StreetShares, started as a peer-to-peer service for veterans, has added a platform intended to connect small financial institutions and underbanked companies.

The acquisition of Radius Intelligence fits with the online lender's existing focus on small commercial borrowers.

Entrepreneurship among veterans has been declining over the past 20 years, according to a report by the SBA and the New York Fed.

Entrepreneurship among veterans has been declining over the past 20 years, according to a report by the SBA and the New York Fed.

Big banks and fintechs are aggressively adding digital capabilities to process applications quickly, creating a sense of urgency for community banks.

Azlo, Bento, Bank Novo and other neobanks argue they are better at helping small businesses, giving them extra attention, technology and advice.

Traditional financial institutions still have an advantage over challenger banks when it comes to building relationships with small merchants, despite scandals that have befallen megabanks.

The New York unit of Popular has contracted with Biz2Credit to automate commercial loan approvals and handle the underwriting for applications under $100,000.

The agency says lenders lacked the risk appetite, while bankers point to concerns over turnaround times and strict loan terms.

The $380-billion asset company will soon join the parade of big banks and tech companies that are migrating online to meet the demands of business owners.

Bigger banks appear to be losing C&I share to small and midsize lenders. That's raising questions about whether community banks — known more for commercial real estate lending — have enough expertise to underwrite deals that larger banks avoid.

The San Antonio bank will refer customers seeking small-business loans to StreetShares, a financial startup that is similarly focused on serving veterans of the U.S. military.