A new survey of 743 community banks found that more than half saw an increase in deposits as a result of new customers. Business owners make up a good portion of those. Here’s more good news: Community banks are making many new loans, with 40 percent of the banks increasing their loan origination compared to the previous year.
In fact, many banks–especially smaller ones with TARP funds–are looking for entrepreneurs, as Dennis Romero found out while researching Banks Eye Entrepreneurs.