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Many small and mid-sized business (SMB) owners entered 2025 with high hopes: a stronger economy, falling interest rates and easier access to credit. But just a few months in, the landscape looks more complicated. New data shows a dip in optimism and a rise in uncertainty among SMBs — alongside signs that banks are starting to tighten lending standards.
If you’re a business owner, now is the time to prepare. Here’s what’s happening — and how to position your company for success in a shifting credit environment.
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