The Tariff Refund Window Is Open. Here Is What Small Business Importers Need to Do.
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a category of tariffs called IEEPA tariffs. More than 300,000 U.S. companies that paid these tariffs are owed refunds, totaling roughly $166 billion. U.S. Customs opened the refund process on April 20, and...
Why Many Small Businesses Are Pulling Back Despite Profitability
The April Bank of America Institute Small Business Checkpoint frames a contradiction worth a closer look. Profitability growth held positive through the first quarter, but small business payroll growth has been negative for three consecutive months, and overall...
Small Business Credit Readiness: Why Lenders Still Say No
Last week, we discussed how credit shapes small business lender readiness. So, what actually happens when a loan request moves from conversation to credit review? Recently published Federal Reserve data gives us a clearer picture. In the 2026 Report on Employer Firms,...
Small Business Lender Readiness Starts With Credit
March is National Credit Education Month, making it an ideal time for small business owners to revisit an often-overlooked reality. Many underestimate how much personal credit influences loan review and approval. When lenders evaluate a business loan application, they...