Small Business Revival is Underway, While Demand for Credit Remains Low

TORONTO, Dec. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heading into the New Year, increasingly more Canadians are starting their own business according to Equifax Canada's Q3 Small Business Credit Trends Report. While the number of new financially active businesses isn't quite as high as it was prior to the pandemic, a 40 per cent increase nationally is being stoked by Alberta and Atlantic Canada.

New Business growth comparison rates (by province)

"There's a small business revival happening, as we've seen tens of thousands of new businesses emerge and become financially active in 2021," said Jeff Brown, Small and Medium Business Leader, Equifax Canada. "These numbers bode well for future growth because historically new businesses are twice as likely to start and become financially active in the spring, between May and July. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Canada."

Forecast Calls for Increased Demand for New Credit

While consumer spending has increased, it appears that the government's small business subsidies and credit facilities provided a financial cushion for business owners throughout the third quarter, reducing the need for higher interest credit with lenders.

Small business credit established with their suppliers was down by 20 per cent year-over year, in comparison to small business credit established with their banks, which is up 30 per cent year-over-year. Given that this is compared to last year's COVID lockdowns, pre-vaccine levels, this lower demand for credit is strikingly low, according to Brown.

"Canadian businesses remained artificially supported by government subsidies and credit facilities in Q3, but that's coming to an end," said Brown. "With the reduction of federal small business support programs, we anticipate an upcoming resurgence for banks and suppliers in the amount of credit that will be requested by small businesses.

"This upcoming increased credit demand will put stress on lenders and suppliers alike, challenging them with whether or not they know what a successful post-government assistance small business looks like. We anticipate continued risk aversion by credit managers servicing the hospitality industry, as well as those industries struck by supply chain issues like the automotive space. Recovery in those industries will remain slow throughout 2022."

Delinquencies Continue to Decline

Small business delinquencies continued to hit record lows, which means that any credit that small businesses have been establishing during the pandemic has been meeting the expectations of their lenders and suppliers.

Atlantic Canada and the Prairies had the highest drop in 90-plus day delinquencies, year-over-year, with a 26.2 per cent and 21.1 per cent decline respectively. Both regions are showing a stronger long-term outlook than other provinces where long term debt is concerned.

"Moving forward, small businesses need to lean in and understand their government-based debt obligations," added Brown. "With over 75 per cent of businesses taking advantage of the interest free, government backed loans, they need to weigh the pros and cons of attempting to pay these loans back before the end of 2022, versus chipping away at them over the next several years."

Through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), the federal government has extended over $49B to over 898K businesses since the beginning of the pandemic. Interest will start to accrue on these loans by the end of 2022, as will the end of forgiveness eligibility if the full amounts aren't paid back prior to the beginning of the interest accrual period. The federal government will be watching this closely in Q1 to track small business growth and recovery.

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