Small Business

Two women stand behind a wooden coffee shop counter
By Mary Godleski-Cantin
Get to know how communities across the US are planning for an inclusive and resilient Main Street economic recovery.
Maria Thompson
By Fed Communities Staff
Maria Thompson knows small business, both personally and professionally. As the national outreach manager for the Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), Maria taps her expertise and personal experiences to advocate tirelessly for small firms.
By Andrew Dumont, Marysol McGee
Entrepreneurs are the life blood of a community’s economy. Investing in and supporting entrepreneurship ecosystems can lead to the growth of additional entrepreneurial activity in a community.
Family-owned small business
By Dell Gines
Access to credit is vital for small businesses. The Federal Reserve's annual Small Business Credit Survey provides critical data and insights for policymakers, small business support program managers.
Cheryl Thomas, founder of C's Daycare
By Kierra Karemani
Banks partner with a community non-profit to help a small business owner upgrade and expand her child care facility.
Entrepreneur stands outside holding open sign
By Dell Gines
Corporate diversity programs often talk about helping people "get invited to the party and also dance." However, entrepreneurs want to "start their own parties" and equitably. Here's how communities can support them.
Aquatic Therapy of Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
By Kierra Karemani
CDFI helps two business owners in Philadelphia's Chinatown find a lifeline, and a partner, right in their own backyard.
Connecting Communities
By Fed Communities Staff
When COVID-19 hit the US, it became clear that millions of Americans and small businesses were disconnected from the banking system. This Connecting Communities webinar covers partnerships and programs created to help fill the capital void for the small businesses struggling most. Watch on demand.
2021 CDFI Survey Key Findings
By Surekha Carpenter, Alexander Nikolov, Stephanie Norris, Alison Shott
From March 22 through May 14, 2021, the Federal Reserve fielded the 2021 CDFI Survey. Here's what 345 CDFIs said about their financial well-being throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, operational gaps and challenges, and effects on clients and communities they serve.
Lucas Misera
By Stacey Guinn
Get to know Lucas Misera, a policy analyst at the Cleveland Fed, and his work on the Federal Reserve's Small Business Credit Survey.