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Publications

FDIC's Small Business Lending Survey

FDIC's Small Business Lending Survey

About the Survey

The Small Business Lending Survey (SBLS) is a nationally representative survey that asks banks about their small business lending practices. Given the importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy and the importance of bank lending to small businesses, the FDIC conducted the SBLS in 2016 and in 2022 to meet a historical need for high-quality data on small business lending by banks. The findings from these surveys help regulatory agencies, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders better understand how banks meet the credit needs of small firms.

The 2022 survey, conducted between June 2022 and January 2023, built on the success of the 2016 survey, which identified several areas for further analysis. For example, the 2022 survey delved more deeply into the fundamentals of loan underwriting and approvals, markets, and competition. The 2022 survey also covered new and timely topics such as the use of financial technology, the role of branches, and lending to start-ups. From a sample of 2,000 banks, about 1,300 banks—more than a quarter of all banks in the nation—responded, yielding a 68 percent survey response rate. This large and nationally representative sample allows for a comprehensive view of small business lending by banks.

What is in the survey?

SBLS 2022 was composed of four sections of questions about small business lending on these specific topics:

  • I. Loan Processes, Underwriting, and FinTech Usage
  • II. Markets and Competition
  • III. Coronavirus Pandemic, SBA Lending, and Selling of Loans
  • IV. Measurement of Business Lending

Are answers confidential and anonymous?

All bank responses are confidential and anonymous; no respondent identities or individual bank responses are ever disclosed. Results are only reported in aggregate form. The SBLS was administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census also houses the collected data. Only a small group of FDIC researchers with Census Special Sworn Status are allowed to analyze the data collected. The U.S. Census protects the collected data from disclosure in accordance with applicable law (including Titles 13 and 26).

Questions or Concerns?

You are welcome to contact the SBLS Team at sbls@fdic.gov

Last Updated: October 2, 2024