Tariff refunds are landing. Here is what the data shows three months in.

by Admin | Sep 3, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

This past April, tariff refunds became available to over 300,000 small business importers, opened by U.S. Customs and covering a $166 billion pool of IEEPA payments. Bank of America’s latest Small Business Checkpoint now gives us a first look at how the process...

The SBA Raised the Ceiling. Is Your Business Ready to Walk Through the Door?

by Admin | Jun 11, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

The Rule Change The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that, effective July 4, 2026, eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 loans to access up to $10 million in SBA-backed financing. That doubles the prior $5 million cumulative cap and,...

Why Small Businesses Have Stopped Investing

by Admin | Jun 4, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, Economic Insight

Capital investment is one of the clearest signals of business confidence. When owners are willing to spend on equipment, vehicles, facilities, and technology, it means they believe the future justifies the outlay. When they stop, it means something else entirely....

The Tariff Refund Window Is Open. Here Is What Small Business Importers Need to Do.

by Admin | May 21, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

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

by Admin | May 14, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, Economic Insight

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...

When Business Owners Stop Waiting for Certainty

by Admin | Feb 5, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership

Economic uncertainty has not disappeared. What has changed is how experienced business owners are responding to it. According to the 2026 Business Leaders Outlook from JPMorgan Chase, only 39 percent of business leaders feel optimistic about the national economy. Yet...