Market Intelligence
The lending market moves quarter by quarter. Rates shift, regulators change policy, and lender appetite tightens or loosens. What was true six months ago may not be true today.
Our analysis tracks the data and trends that affect borrowing costs, approval odds, and lending conditions. For current benchmark rates, see the weekly rate snapshot.
Latest Analysis
Borrowing Costs Hold as Fed Pauses After 175 bps of Cuts (April 2026)
Weekly commercial lending rate report covering Prime Rate, SOFR, and Federal Funds as of March 31, 2026. Includes...
Apr 1, 2026 Rate MonitorThe Spread That Matters: What Borrowers Actually Pay vs Benchmark Rates
Analysis of the gap between benchmark rates (Prime, SOFR, Treasuries) and the rates commercial borrowers actually pay. Covers...
Mar 31, 2026 Regulatory WatchSBA Program Changes in 2026: Citizenship Rules, Scoring Sunset, and Manufacturing Fee Waivers
Three SBA rule changes effective in early 2026 alter eligibility, credit screening, and fee structures across the 7(a)...
Mar 27, 2026 Data NotebookCredit Availability Index: How Open Is the Lending Window?
Bank business lending is growing 4.4% year-over-year to $2,789.8B, but financial conditions are tightening and a two-tier credit...
Mar 27, 2026 Data NotebookA Borrower's Map of Financing Options by Use Case
Ten financing products mapped to four core business needs: growth, working capital, asset acquisition, and speed. Decision framework,...
Mar 27, 2026 Market BriefThe Return of Short-Term Products When Rates Stay High
The speed premium in business lending has compressed by roughly 350 basis points since 2021. The gap between...
Mar 24, 2026 Market BriefHow Banks Reprice Risk When Delinquencies Rise
Rising delinquencies don't stay in bank portfolios. They show up in tighter approvals, wider spreads, and stricter loan...
Mar 24, 2026 Rate MonitorWhy Fixed Loan Rates Don't Fall When the Fed Cuts Rates
The Fed cut rates by 175 basis points, but fixed-rate borrowing costs increased. Variable and fixed-rate loans follow...
Mar 21, 2026 Rate MonitorHow Is the Prime Rate Determined? The Chain from Fed Funds to Your Loan
The Prime Rate held at 6.75% after the March 18, 2026 FOMC decision. This article traces the five-step...
Mar 19, 2026 Rate MonitorThe Spread That Matters: What Borrowers Actually Pay vs. Benchmark Rates
Prime at 6.75%, but borrowers pay 7.25% to 13.25% depending on product type and credit profile. Benchmark rates,...
Mar 16, 2026 Data NotebookSmall Business Loan Delinquency Trends: A Q4 2025 Credit Cycle Analysis
Federal Reserve data shows business loan delinquency rising to 1.34% in Q4 2025, up 37 basis points from...
Mar 12, 2026 Market BriefCredit Box Watch: Are Lenders Tightening or Loosening This Month?
Banks are easing credit for large borrowers while small firms face flat standards, flat demand, and worsening loan...
Mar 10, 2026 Market BriefSBA vs Conventional: When Each Channel Wins in This Cycle
Two March 2026 SBA program changes and continued bank tightening have shifted the SBA vs conventional channel decision....
Mar 9, 2026 Market BriefWho Gets Fully Funded for Business Loans in 2026
Small banks fully fund 57% of business loan applications vs 43% at large banks and 38% at online...
Mar 6, 2026 Data NotebookSmall-Business Lending Indicators Dashboard
Monthly lending indicators for March 2026: SBA 7(a) volume down 18%, prime steady at 6.75%, small bank approvals...
Mar 6, 2026 Regulatory WatchWho Regulates Small-Business Lending Now? The Federal-to-State Shift
Federal oversight of small-business lending is at its lowest point in a decade. As the CFPB retreats from...
Mar 5, 2026 Market BriefWhy Business Loan Rates Aren't Falling, Even After Fed Cuts
The Fed paused rate cuts after three reductions in 2025. What the higher-for-longer rate environment means for SBA...
Mar 5, 2026