PR Newswire·May 1, 2026, 9:00 AM ET

New Report: 93% of Small Businesses Expect Growth in 2026

Small business optimism remains high with 93% expecting growth in 2026 & 32% anticipating significant growth.
Cash flow is the top concern for owners at 31%, surpassing inflation which stands at 29%.
Over 76% of small businesses bypass traditional banks for capital, marking a survey all-time high.
Access to credit is the primary factor shaping 2026 strategies for 46% of businesses, followed by consumer spending at 42%.
58% of small businesses report using AI, with 89% of users noting a positive impact on their operations.
The report is based on a nationwide survey of 651 businesses with working capital loans conducted March 4–10, 2026.
Data analysis covered over 3.69 million small business applications for working capital financing over the past 15 months.