The BusinessPulse, powered by Barlow Research Associates, Inc., provides detailed analysis and reporting on small business sentiment including economic position, economic confidence, and credit outlook for small and middle market companies. Barlow Research surveys more than 2,800 companies annually across the U.S. to gather current viewpoints and draws on 10 years of data to provide in-depth research on economic trends to the commercial banking sector.

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BUSINESSPULSE

First Quarter, 2021

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LIVE OAK BUSINESSPULSE Q1 2021

Findings include

The majority of small and middle market businesses have adjusted their business strategies due to COVID-19

Small Business

21-LOB-Circle-70-Percent

adjusted their business strategy

21-LOB-Circle-43-Percent

will maintain the changes

Middle Market Business

21-LOB-Circle-79-Percent

adjusted their business strategy

21-LOB-Circle-48-Percent

will maintain the changes

Over half of small businesses expect sales to increase over next 12 months, which likely signals demand is returning

38%

anticipate increased profits

1/3

expect to build up cash reserves

While the middle market’s optimism has taken a slight dip,they’re still looking to invest in their companies

36%21-LOB-Bar-34-Percent

plan to hire full-time employees

34%21-LOB-Bar-34-Percent

plan to make capital expenditures

An increasing number of small and middle market businesses expect to apply for additional credit in the next 12 months

>80%

of demand for additional credit in last 12 months was for a government relief program

BUSINESSPulse Archive

The Live Oak BusinessPulse, fielded by Barlow Research Associates, is an invitation-only economic survey administered online or via fax, fielded for two weeks during the first month of each quarter.