These data have been extremely useful for our understanding of the role that discrimination may play in affecting small business credit markets. Research based on data from the surveys has provided many insights on similarities and differences in the characteristics of white-owned and minority-owned firms and of male-owned and female-owned firms.
The annual rate of change of loans to non-financial corporations (adjusted for loan sales and securitisation) was –2.9% in August, compared with –2.8% in July. Weak loan dynamics for non-financial corporations continue to reflect primarily their lagged relationship with the business cycle, credit risk and the ongoing adjustment of financial and non-financial sector balance sheets.