Focus on Small Business: Small businesses grapple with financial strain impacting customers: Equifax

Sinead Gleason

Gleason talks about the impact of rising interest rates, how small businesses are dealing with inflation, the challenges of supply chain disruption, the outlook for the coming months, and government support.

Watch the video interview here.

Cash flow management is a pressing concern for 64 per cent of SMBs, with uncertainty about the upcoming holiday season cited as a major factor. Additionally, 53 per cent of SMBs struggle with limited access to business financing, and 18 per cent have faced past bankruptcy or insolvency, highlighting their financial difficulties. This complex financial landscape concerns 42 per cent of SMB owners.

Rising interest rates are also having financial consequences, as 75 per cent have raised their rates or pricing, and 69 per cent believe these rates negatively impact their businesses. Moreover, 57 per cent have customers who are past due on payments or invoices, with 46 per cent expecting this trend to continue in the next 12 months.

Staffing issues weigh heavily on business owners’ minds, with 53 per cent expressing worry, while 43 per cent face challenges in recruiting and retaining employees.

Confidence in the Economy and Upcoming Holiday Season
Business owners’ confidence in the economy remains low, with only 10 per cent reporting heightened confidence for Q4 2023 compared to Q4 2022. This represents a significant decline from 24 per cent last year and 33 per cent in 2021. Similarly, only 15 per cent expressed increased optimism about the holiday season compared to the previous year, a notable decline from 25 per cent in 2022 and 36 per cent in 2021.

“Despite the significant financial challenges they face, small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and have shown remarkable resilience, even in the toughest economic climates,” said Jeff Brown, Head of Commercial Solutions at Equifax Canada. “They’re dealing with staffing shortages, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions, but they persevere.”

Equifax Q2 2023 Business Credit Trends and Industry Insights
Established businesses are outpacing new businesses in trade growth, according to Equifax Canada data for Q2 2023. Credit card demand accounted for 62 per cent of new financial trade originations in Q1 2023, but rising financial stress is offset by pandemic savings, which is buoying business resilience. Average business debt has surged by 22.3 per cent from a year ago to $44.7K, and industrial trade delinquencies are nearing pre-pandemic levels, which could be a sign of financial challenges ahead.

“The rising costs of doing business may threaten a wave of insolvencies,” said Brown. “Businesses will be dealing with the dual challenges of high inflation and the elevated cost of borrowing. We anticipate an increase in demand for credit, particularly from enterprises wrestling with existing debt. Additionally, companies impacted by natural disasters could experience extended recovery periods and require government support.”

Across Canada, new business originations surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Q2, driven by seasonal trends. Year-over-year, several provinces saw significant increases: Alberta (27.4 per cent), B.C. (33.6 per cent), Ontario (34.7 per cent), and Quebec (24.1 per cent). Credit utilization for lines of credit (LoCs) and credit cards, which initially dropped during the pandemic, is rebounding. Since January 2022, LoC balances rose by 21 per cent, and credit card balances increased by 22.6 per cent annually, partly due to high rates of new card originations. The emergence of new businesses in Q2 contributed to increased credit demand, though not yet at pre-pandemic levels.

Government Support and Debt Repayments
Government-backed loans, like CEBA, were crucial for Canadian businesses, with 36 per cent of respondents utilizing them. However, concerns remain, as 36 per cent anticipate negative impacts, 45 per cent aim to clear debts by year-end, and 47 per cent foresee repayments extending into 2024. Simultaneously, 59 per cent of business owners stated that they feel unsupported by the government, with 47 per cent lacking sufficient government credit for Q4 2023. An overwhelming 84 per cent call for increased government intervention to address these challenges and support small businesses.

Tech Awareness Grows, Credit Score Knowledge Lags
Business owners are increasingly aware of their financial profiles, with 58 per cent recognizing their ability to access business credit reports. However, this awareness does not always extend to credit scores, as only 36 per cent of those familiar with business credit reports know their actual credit scores. Additionally, nearly half of business owners anticipate significant changes due to artificial intelligence (AI), with 49 per cent expecting it to reshape the competitive landscape, 44 per cent foreseeing alterations in the service delivery model, and 46 per cent believing that AI will disrupt their business models.

Equifax Canada continues to monitor the credit landscape closely and provides crucial data to support businesses and lenders so they can make informed credit decisions during these uncertain times.