How America’s Leading Retail Banks Work to Understand their Small Business Clients and Build Frameworks to Support them Best

The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) is excited to celebrate Small Business Month 2026 with a new series of blogs highlighting the many ways in which America’s leading retail banks are working to support small businesses on Main Streets across the country.

This blog showcases how three CBA members – TD Bank, JPMorganChase, and Huntington Bank – are utilizing surveys and data from the nation’s small business owners to better understand the state of the Main Street economy and best identify the tools and resources small businesses need to thrive. Read to learn about how these banks are helping entrepreneurs manage succession planning, understand emerging technology, protect against fraud, and more.

TD Bank Survey Highlights Confident Small Business Owners Looking to Address Vulnerabilities

TD Bank’s second annual Financial Preparedness Survey: Small Business Owners’ Report highlights the state of financial preparedness of American small business owners and their goals and ambition.

In TD Bank’s survey, respondents (94 percent of small business owners) shared that while they are optimistic about the coming year, a lack of adequate savings and the constant threat of fraud remain ongoing concerns.

• Only 24 percent report having more than six months of emergency savings, though over a third of small business owners say a business should have ideally more than six months of reserves.
• More than half of respondents (54 percent) say their business experienced fraud or attempted fraud in the past year, and 12 percent reported it resulted in financial loss.

Despite these risks, small businesses are still looking to grow, with 93 percent of small business owners considering applying for a loan or a line of credit within the next 1.5 years. Ninety-six percent of small business owners say financing will be necessary to “level up” their business – whether that’s growing into a new market, better operations systems, or improved financial performance.

Commenting on the survey findings, Chris Ward, Head of Small Business Banking at TD Bank U.S., highlighted the importance of being prepared for what TD’s small business clients expect from the bank:

• “These findings reflect what we are hearing from small business owners every day. They are looking to grow, and they are seeking credit as a way to fund more than just their day-to-day operations, they are looking to invest in modernization, adopt AI, and strengthen fraud defenses. At TD, we’re focused on delivering clear strategies and practical tools to help businesses turn that ambition into long-term resilience.”

As new technology such as AI becomes more ubiquitous, America’s small business owners are managing ever-growing complexity. Forty percent of businesses surveyed felt that finding advice from a trusted financial parter has been a challenge – highlighting the importance of TD’s ability to provide these entrepreneurs with expert financial advice and more.

• “We as a bank have an opportunity to play a bigger role by simplifying complexity and helping owners make confident, informed decisions. This is what we are focused on,” says Ward.

To read more about the TD Bank’s survey of small businesses, click HERE.

JPMorganChase Survey Highlights Gaps in Succession Planning for Small Businesses, and what Chase is Doing to Help

JPMorganChase’s American Dream Initiative is a multi-year effort to expand economic opportunity by scaling solutions to help the economy work for more people. As a part of the Initiative, Chase provides financing, advice, training, tools, and more to help small businesses. Much of this support work starts from the ground up – including a better understanding of the needs of small businesses across the country.

In a new survey released as a part of the initiative in March 2026, JPMorganChase found a significant gap between small business owners’ retirement timelines and their readiness to transition leadership. About 40 percent of small business owners plan to retire within the next decade, but 70 percent are in early-stage planning or have no succession plan.

The survey data points to a pivotal moment for small businesses across America – this ownership transition, if planned properly, will help preserve jobs, sustain local economies, and extend the legacy of these community businesses.

• “Running a small business is deeply personal; it represents years of hard work and commitment,” says Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business, “taking the time to plan what comes next is one of the most important steps owners can take to protect their legacy and help their business thrive for generations to come.”

The survey findings indicate the important role bankers play in succession planning for small businesses. Owners who do not engage with an expert are 4-8x more likely to remain in early-stage planning for transition.

Understanding this gap comes as a part of Chase’s “National Treasures” campaign – launched in honor of National Small Business Week to celebrate the role small businesses play in local communities.

The campaign also builds on the opportunity to better equip small businesses with the succession planning tools they need – National Treasures provides business owners with products, coaching, and resources to help make succession planning that much easier.

To read more about the survey, click HERE.

Huntington Bank Small Business Resources Aims to Address Growing Complexity for Local Business

Huntington Bank’s 2026 Beyond Business Report – an annual study examining business sentiment and market conditions among small- to mid-sized businesses – surveyed over 750 small business owners and financial experts to share insights on the small business economy.

Though small businesses remain optimistic about the future, many still face a complex operating environment. Nearly all (95 percent) of businesses report rising costs and wage pressure, while 87 percent of businesses cite cybersecurity and fraud risks as major threats.

These pressures have remained persistent, and in some cases, intensified – reinforcing the need for practical support and informed decision-making.

Huntington’s small business lending and resources provide important support and stability for local companies that bring resilience, innovation, and opportunity to communities. In the last year, Huntington provided nearly $2.5 billion in SBA 7(a) loans, supporting more than 7,000 small businesses across the bank’s footprint.

• “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and at Huntington, our commitment goes far beyond providing capital,” said Christian Corts, Regional Banking Director. “We focus on building lasting relationships – listening to our customers, understanding their goals, and delivering the expertise, care, and resources they need to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence in a complex and changing environment.”

Survey respondents also shared how business complexity continues to increase, with over a quarter of businesses lacking primary business advisors.

• "As business complexity increases, risk isn't just external—it's also making critical decisions in isolation," says Huntington Director of Wealth Management Melissa Holding, "when owners are navigating so much, it's critical to have experienced advisors to help owners connect everyday decisions to the long-term business strategy."

To better support local businesses in need, Huntington’s Seeds of Growth series provides in-person events to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and access they need to start, strengthen, and grow their businesses, with a focus on practical, actionable guidance. In celebration of Small Business Week, Huntington convened local businesses for a special session in Charlotte, NC in partnership with the Central Piedmont Small Business Center.

In addition to facilitating loans to help small businesses manage rising costs and providing opportunities to develop and network, Huntington also shares resources to help small businesses spot scams and fraud while providing tips to protect their finances, as fraud and cybersecurity risks continue to evolve.

To read more about Huntington’s work with small businesses, click HERE.

Dive Deeper

CBA members proudly support small businesses across this country, lending more than $8.9 billion in small business loans last year alone. Over the next several weeks across social media, new blogs, and other platforms, CBA will celebrate the many ways America’s leading retail banks are working to help small businesses grow and prosper, including:

• Spotlighting testimonials from CBA small business bankers;
• Showcasing data on the nationwide impact of CBA members’ small business lending efforts; and
• Amplifying bank-led programs and initiatives dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive

To learn more, visit www.smallbusinessspotlight.com.