Report
Published February 23, 2023
Commercial Commercial InsightsThe fourth quarter boasted open commercial lending markets, inclusive of all tiers of credit risk, even as measured commercial delinquencies returned to pre-pandemic levels. An increasing number of commercial lenders are developing product and underwriting strategies to limit the expected exposure in a near term recession. The Fed is unlikely to cut rates in the near term as heightened inflation lingers. Higher costs of goods and services will pressure spending behavior as affordability tightens and personal cashflows thin.
Download the report
View now
Video
Unemployment down, rate cuts on hold
This week's Commercial Pulse Report highlights key economic trends and small business credit conditions, providing insights for lenders, risk professionals, and business leaders.
The U.S. economy continues to face high interest rates and shifting market conditions:
- Inflation rose to 2.9% in December, marking its third consecutive increase and the highest level since July 2024.
- Unemployment declined to 4.0% in January, the lowest level since April 2024, but job growth slowed, with only 143K jobs added.
- Q4 GDP grew at 2.3%, down from 3.1% in Q3, indicating a moderate but slowing expansion.
- The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady, reinforcing concerns about persistent inflation.
This report features the latest findings from the Experian Small Business Index™, a data-driven tool tracking small business financial health.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Leisure and Hospitality Resilience and Recovery
The latest Experian Commercial Pulse Report highlights a remarkable rebound for the Leisure & Hospitality sector:
✈️ TSA screened 903M+ passengers in 2024—a 6.5% increase over pre-pandemic levels.
🏨 Hotel occupancy rates are recovering, though still below pre-pandemic levels, as corporate travel remains reduced.
📊 Credit risk scores across subsectors are steadily improving, reflecting stabilizing financial health.
These trends showcase the sector’s resilience, supported by lower travel inflation and strong consumer demand despite economic pressures.
Credit managers, are you leveraging these insights to adjust your strategies?
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Video
Navigating Industry-Specific Risks
As published on the Business Information blog, Experian's latest Commercial Pulse Report highlights how risk profiles vary significantly by industry and business age.
🔹 New businesses in sectors like Construction and Food Services face higher delinquency rates, signaling elevated credit risks.
🔹 Meanwhile, industries like Retail and Healthcare maintain stable performance, regardless of business maturity—offering balanced opportunities for lenders.
Understanding these dynamics is critical for tailoring lending strategies, mitigating risk, and supporting business growth across industries.
Check out the full report to see how these trends could impact your strategy!
Webinar
Q3 2024 Quarterly Business Credit Review
Watch the recording of the Quarterly Business Credit Review webinar, where Experian shared and discussed critical insights from the latest Main Street Report.
Why you should watch:
- Leading Experts on Commercial and Macro-Economic Trends
- Credit insights and trends on 30+ Million active businesses
- Industry Hot Topics Covered (Inclusive of Business Owner and Small Business Data)
- Commercial Insights you cannot get anywhere else
- Peer Insights with Interactive Polls (Participate)
- Discover and understand small business trends to make informed decisions
- Actionable takeaways based on recent credit performance
Visit our Commercial Insights Hub for more economic insights and reports on small business.