2026 U.S. SMB Credit Risk Report

Small and midsize business (SMB) lending continues to represent a major growth opportunity for U.S. financial institutions. Most lenders are actively expanding their SMB credit and lending businesses, increasing their appetite for risk and anticipating higher approval rates in the year ahead. At the same time, rising delinquency rates, fraud concerns and portfolio monitoring challenges are increasing pressure across the credit lifecycle.

The findings from the 2026 U.S. SMB Credit Risk Report reveal a market balancing growth ambitions with the need for more informed and precise credit decisions. While alternative data, analytics and emerging technologies are already delivering measurable value, the next competitive advantage will belong to financial institutions that can effectively connect data, analytics and workflows across the lending lifecycle.

SMB lending growth is accelerating

Risk is growing alongside opportunity

• 77% report higher SMB delinquency rates.
• Top challenges include fraud, portfolio monitoring and thin-file applicants.
• 93% see missed opportunity in declining creditworthy SMB applicants.

Alternative data is driving better outcomes

Alternative data is becoming a core part of SMB credit decisioning, helping lenders improve speed, efficiency and credit risk assessment across origination, underwriting and portfolio management. 

The next edge is decision precision

Financial institutions are investing in AI, fraud solutions, automation and alternative data to improve visibility into evolving SMB risk. The most successful lenders will be those that effectively connect data, analytics and decisioning workflows.

The 2026 U.S. SMB Credit Risk Report explores how lenders are responding to market growth, increasing risk complexity and evolving technology investments.

Download the report to learn:

• How SMB lending strategies are changing
• Where lenders face the greatest risk challenges
• How alternative data is influencing decisions
• Why decision precision is becoming a competitive advantage

Ready to improve SMB credit risk decisioning?