New Report: Main Street Small Business Optimism Rises as They Successfully Navigate Macro Environment

Rhea-AI Summary

The latest Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from OnDeck Capital and Ocrolus reveals increased optimism among small businesses, with 93% expecting moderate or significant growth over the next 12 months. Despite seasonal revenue decreases, expenses have dropped, improving the revenue-to-expense ratio. Payroll investments have increased, with the payroll-to-revenue ratio at 19.5% in Q1 2024.

Cash flow management remains a focus, with 56.2% using business lines of credit and 43.1% delaying personal payments. Access to credit is tightening, with 40% of long-standing businesses denied loans from big banks. Payment apps usage hits an all-time high, with 26% reporting inflows from Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp.

Family-run businesses are predominantly first-generation owners, with 58% planning to pass on the business. Veteran-owned businesses report the highest annual revenues between $1M and $10M. The report draws from 422 surveyed businesses and data from over 1.9 million applications.

Positive

• 93% of small businesses expect moderate or significant growth over the next 12 months, indicating strong optimism.
• Decreasing expenses have led to an improved revenue-to-expense ratio.
• 62% of businesses use business lines of credit to manage cash flows, highlighting proactive financial management.
• Increased payroll investment, with the payroll-to-revenue ratio at 19.5% in Q1 2024.
• 26% of businesses report inflows from payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp, reaching an all-time high.
• Veteran-owned small businesses report the highest annual revenues between $1M and $10M.
• 58% of family-run businesses plan to pass the business on to a family member, indicating long-term planning.

Negative

• Revenue has decreased from its peak in Q4 2023, consistent with seasonal trends.
• Nearly 40% of long-standing businesses were denied loans from big banks, indicating tightening credit access.
• 43.1% of businesses resort to delaying personal payments to manage cash flows, reflecting potential financial stress.

CHICAGO, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses feel increasingly optimistic about future growth as expenses decrease, according to the latest Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from OnDeck Capital, the leading small business lending company at Enova (NYSE: ENVA) and Ocrolus, the document AI and cash flow analytics platform for lenders.

Key findings include:

• Optimism and Growth. A large majority of small businesses continue to feel optimistic about business growth opportunities over the next 12 months, with 93% expecting moderate or significant growth, a slight uptick (1%) from Q4 2023.
• Financial Performance. Consistent with seasonal trends, revenue has decreased from its peak in Q4 2023, offset by decreasing expenses, resulting in a slightly higher revenue-to-expense ratio. Businesses continue to invest in employees, resulting in the payroll-to-revenue ratio increasing slightly to 19.5% in Q1 2024.
• Cash Flow Management. Businesses are managing cash flows through a variety of approaches, most commonly using a business line of credit (56.2% of businesses), while many also report delaying payment to themselves and family members until other bills have been paid (43.1%).
• Access to Credit. Banks appear to be limiting their lending, with nearly 40% of small businesses that have been in operation for over 20 years reporting they were denied a loan from a big bank. The percentage of transactions moving through payment apps instead of traditional payment methods continues to increase, with 26% of businesses reporting inflows from Venmo, Zelle or CashApp, which is an all-time high for this report.

"Small businesses continue to show resilience and believe in their potential, with their outlook remaining positive as they continue to successfully navigate challenges related to inflation and managing cash flow," said Cory Kampfer, Co-President of Small Business Lending at OnDeck. "Flexible financing options can make all the difference for small businesses, and help to manage today's business environment."

"The small business landscape is constantly evolving and requiring lenders to stay attuned to the needs of borrowers," said David Snitkof, SVP of Growth at Ocrolus. "Access to real-time cash flow data offers accurate insights into a business' financial wellbeing, empowers informed decision-making, and helps lenders identify opportunities for new solutions that bolster small businesses."

Key demographic findings include:

• Nearly all (92%) of family-run businesses are first-generation business owners, and a majority (58%) plan to pass the business on to a family member in the future.
• While nearly all surveyed small businesses have annual revenues under $10 million, veteran-owned small businesses had the highest percentage of self-reported annual revenues, ranging between $1M and $10M.

The Q1 2024 report is based on quarterly survey responses from 422 small businesses with working capital loans from OnDeck and cash flow data from over 1.9 million small business applications, and provides deeper insights into the health of small businesses across all regions.

About OnDeck®
OnDeck®, part of Enova International, is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small businesses. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners. OnDeck has provided loans to customers in 900 different industries nationwide. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.

About Enova
Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) is a leading financial services company with powerful online lending that serves small businesses and consumers who are underserved by traditional banks. Through its world-class analytics and machine learning algorithms, Enova has provided more than 10 million customers with over $55 billion in loans and financing. You can learn more about the company and its portfolio of businesses at www.enova.com.

About Ocrolus
Ocrolus is a document AI platform that enables faster and more accurate financial decision-making. The company analyzes documents with over 99% accuracy, regardless of format or quality, supporting over a thousand document types, including bank statements, pay stubs, and tax forms. Ocrolus provides a trusted solution to detect fraud, analyze cash flows and income, and streamline decisions for 400+ clients across a number of use cases. Customers such as Enova, PayPal, Brex, CrossCountry Mortgage, Plaid, and SoFi leverage Ocrolus automation to build delightful user experiences. To learn more, visit Ocrolus.com.

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SOURCE Enova International, Inc.

FAQ

What percentage of small businesses expect growth in the next 12 months, according to the OnDeck report?

According to the OnDeck report, 93% of small businesses expect moderate or significant growth over the next 12 months.

How has the revenue-to-expense ratio changed for small businesses in Q1 2024?

The revenue-to-expense ratio for small businesses has improved due to decreasing expenses in Q1 2024.

What percentage of businesses are using business lines of credit for cash flow management?

56.2% of businesses are using business lines of credit for cash flow management, according to the report.

How many businesses have reported denying loans from big banks?

Nearly 40% of small businesses that have been in operation for over 20 years reported being denied loans from big banks.

What is the current payroll-to-revenue ratio for small businesses in Q1 2024?

The payroll-to-revenue ratio for small businesses in Q1 2024 is 19.5%.

Which payment apps are small businesses increasingly using for transactions?

Small businesses are increasingly using Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp for transactions, with 26% reporting inflows from these apps.

What percentage of family-run businesses plan to pass the business to a family member?

58% of family-run businesses plan to pass the business on to a family member in the future.

What revenue range do veteran-owned small businesses report?

Veteran-owned small businesses report annual revenues ranging between $1M and $10M.