A recent survey from the NFIB Research Center revealed that 27% of business owners reported experiencing a significant or moderate increase in sales as a result of eased restrictions related to the coronavirus.[1] An additional 27% reported a “slight” increase. Forty-two percent reported experiencing no change.
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Director of Research & Policy Analysis Holly Wade said businesses are still experiencing a “heavy amount of uncertainty and complications” as a result of the economic crisis, but added, “Now that owners have more flexibility in using their PPP loan, they can focus on adjusting business operations accordingly as states loosen business restrictions.”
By late June, the survey found that the amount of people applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans over the previous month had increased by 4%. Of those who had not applied, only 3% anticipated doing so before the end of the month, which was the original application deadline before it was extended to August 8. Eighty-five percent of those who had applied did so through the bank that they normally use for their business. Ninety-five percent of responding applicants had already received their loans. At that time, only 3% had applied for loan forgiveness.
The survey found that 59% of PPP loan borrowers are taking advantage of an extended 24-week forgiveness period. Forty percent indicated that they found the new provisions for maximizing loan forgiveness, including allowing more of the loan to go toward non-payroll expenses and the new full-time equivalent employee (FTEE) exemption, “very helpful.” Nineteen percent found these modifications to be “helpful.” One in 10 said the original terms were sufficient for their own purposes, and 9% were not familiar with the recent changes.
Fourteen percent of PPP loan borrowers said they still expect to have to lay off employees after using the loan. Half of these businesses expect to lay off one or two people, while 12% expect to have to lay off 10 or more.
Over a third of business owners who responded had applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Of those who applied for a PPP loan, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or both, nearly half expect that they will need additional financial support over the coming year. Fifty-six percent of business owners surveyed said they will need less than $50K to support business operations in the near term, while 22% expect they will need over $100K.
As the NFIB notes, most small business owners have had to make adjustments to their operations as a result of the coronavirus and the ensuing economic fallout. The survey confirms this with 23% indicating the crisis has required “significant” change in operations. Another 32% cited “moderate” change. Thirty percent said they have had to modify operations “slightly,” while 16% said they have not changed business operations at all.
It’s clear that the Small Business Administration loan programs have so far been hugely beneficial to small businesses throughout America, but uncertainty looms as the coronavirus continues to impact businesses beyond the initial shutdown period.
Please contact Alpine Bank about your options if you require financial assistance. Alpine Bank offers various types of business checking accounts, including our Apex checking account.
(Note: The NFIB has released a follow-up survey covering the health of small businesses. Read more about it here.)
[1] https://www.nfib.com/content/press-release/economy/small-business-sales-volume-up-as-states-ease-business-restrictions-and-stay-at-home-orders/
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