how banks keep small businesses

going & growing

From storefronts to fields to service bays, banks are partnering with American businesses across industries and stages as they move through challenges, changes, and growth.

the hands that keep things running:

Service
businesses

Auto Shops
Contractors
Home Service Providers

When your income depends on the next job, steady cash flow isn’t guaranteed. Banks help service businesses like auto shops, contractors, and home service companies finance essential tools like vehicles, cover payroll on time, and bridge the gap between projects. It’s real support for the people keeping our communities running.

A mechanic wearing glasses and blue coveralls inspects the underside of a car with a flashlight in an auto repair shop, surrounded by car lifts and vehicles.
A mechanic wearing glasses and blue coveralls inspects the underside of a car with a flashlight in an auto repair shop, surrounded by car lifts and vehicles.

How banks are helping:

Equipment financing and leasing options – Helping to purchase or lease tools, vehicles, or machinery.

Support for growing teams – Offering direct deposit, retirement plan options, and financial tools that help companies grow.

Project-based loans – Providing short-term financing for large contracts or seasonal slowdowns.

Insurance and risk
management – Offering liability and business insurance products.

Where community meets commerce:

Customer-facing businesses

Restaurants
Craftsmen
Retail Stores

Running a storefront, whether physical or digital, means navigating the unpredictable: seasonal slowdowns, surprise repairs, and the everyday costs of keeping doors open. Banks make sure that small business owners can stay resilient—so they can focus on serving their customers.

An older woman in a black apron stirs a pot of greens on a stovetop in a commercial kitchen, smiling as she cooks.
An older woman in a black apron stirs a pot of greens on a stovetop in a commercial kitchen, smiling as she cooks.

How banks are helping:

Small business loans and lines of credit – Covering initial startup costs, expansion, or unexpected expenses.

Merchant services and payment processing – Providing POS systems, credit card processing, and mobile payment solutions.

Cash flow management tools – Offering overdraft protection and business checking accounts with flexible deposit options.

Business credit cards – Helping to manage short-term expenses with rewards on business-related purchases.

Weathering the highs and lows:

Agricultural
businesses

Family Farms
Livestock Farms
Crop Farms

Through every season, banks help America’s farmers plant the future. From everyday financing to emergency relief, they provide the stability and resources producers need to plan ahead—and keep going when plans change.

A middle-aged man in a denim shirt stands in a field holding a tablet, with agricultural machinery and clear blue sky in the background. He looks thoughtfully into the distance.
A middle-aged man in a denim shirt stands in a field holding a tablet, with agricultural machinery and clear blue sky in the background. He looks thoughtfully into the distance.

How banks are helping:

Agricultural loans – Providing funding for land, livestock, and equipment.

Disaster relief and emergency financing – Offering assistance for businesses affected by climate changes or natural disasters.

Export assistance and trade finance – Supporting businesses selling agricultural goods internationally.

Flexible business banking – Providing lending with repayment plans that match seasonal income.