Founder / CEO Lendio (largest SMB loan originator in U.S.), Husband, Father of 4, Member of Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, Bishop @ BYU 🙏🏽, & avid BYU fan
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Articles by Brock Blake
Don’t Fear Debt: How SMBs Can Leverage Personal Credit To Scale
Debt is a critical part of a business financial strategy. Lendio Small business owners often juggle multiple roles as ad hoc marketing professionals, sales reps, and human resource officers, but few may consider themselves lenders. Perhaps they should.
How SMBs Can Ensure Operational Strength During The Holidays
Strategizing operations around the holiday season early can benefit small business owners. Lendio While often referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season can add extra stress for business owners. They must manage time-off requests from both themselves and their employees, anticipate potential surges (or delays) in demand for products and services, and handle various operational and budgetary concerns.
What The Fed Rate Cut Means For Small Businesses
The fed rate cut has important implications for small businesses. Lendio Small business owners have faced significant uncertainty this year due to rising inflation and ongoing discussions about tariffs, which have affected their ability to buy and sell goods and services.
Assim Como Brasileiros, Pequeno Produtor dos EUA Está com Problemas de Crédito
A indústria agrícola passou por mudanças significativas nas últimas duas décadas, impulsionadas principalmente por avanços tecnológicos e mudanças nas demandas do mercado. De acordo com o Censo Agrícola de 2022 do Departamento de Agricultura dos Estados Unidos (USDA, na sigla em ingês), o número de fazendas no país diminuiu em 141.733, ou 7%, entre 2017 e 2022.
How Farmers Can Access Funding When It Matters Most
Financing can be a helpful tool for farmers to navigate market uncertainty and seasonal changes. Lendio The farming industry has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, primarily driven by advancements in technology and shifts in market demands. According to the USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in the U.S. declined by 141,733, or 7%, between 2017 and 2022.
Public-Private Partnerships Needed To Support SMB Lending
Public administration, financial institutions, and fintechs can be powerful partners for SMB lending. getty Small-dollar loans can fuel businesses to become multi-million-dollar companies. Lendio is proof of that. Consider that the company’s beginnings originated with a $50,000 loan in 2006, and last year it surpassed $15 billion in financing to over 400,000 small businesses. Loans under $150,000 are highly effective for small businesses and meet the vast majority of their needs.
Three Rules For Navigating A Fetal Position Moment
Three rules for navigating a fetal position moment. Lendio In movies, a carefully constructed buildup prepares the audience for a dramatic event. There’s thoughtfully chosen music, eerie foreshadowing, and perhaps a tingle that runs down our spines as we anticipate a shocking moment. However, I can’t say I experienced any of that in the lead-up to COVID-19, which took our company from 22 consecutive months of growth to zero revenue almost overnight.
Smaller SBA Loans Mean Bigger Benefits For SMB Ecosystem
Increasing small-dollar SBA loans could have incredible impact on the small business community. Lendio Having an idea is easy; executing the vision is the hard part, according to Guy Kawasaki. As one of the original employees responsible for marketing Apple's first Macintosh computer in the 1980s, he should know. However, executing a vision requires access to capital, and America's small businesses, particularly those qualified under the SBA, are facing a significant shortage of funds.
Building Trust In A Digital Lending Landscape
Automation in lending doesn't have to diminish the human experience. Lendio For generations, trust in lending was forged across desks and handshakes. But for today's small business owners-who wear every hat and race every deadline-waiting for a banker to call them back isn't just inconvenient. It's a barrier to growth. In today's world, trust must be earned through speed, clarity, and respect for a business owner's time.
What QuickBooks Capital Teaches Us About The Future Of SMB Lending
QuickBooks Capital has approached embedded lending in an innovative way. Lendio Small business owners know what it’s like to juggle twenty priorities before lunch. Managing payroll, paying vendors, keeping customers happy—and always keeping one eye on cash flow. What SMBs don’t have time for is jumping through hoops to get the financing they need to stay ahead. That’s where embedded finance is changing the game, and few companies are doing it better than Intuit QuickBooks.
Embedded Finance: The “Always On” Lending Tool SMBs Need Original
As more SMBs turn to embedded finance as a solution, the benefits for providers cannot be ignored. Adobe Stock Access to capital has always been a key concern for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), but recent changes to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) lending policies, combined with various macroeconomic factors, are further complicating the situation.
How SMBs Should Navigate The SBA’s 2025 Ownership Changes
In early March, the Small Business Administration (SBA) made one of the most significant policy changes in recent years by revising the eligibility criteria for 7(a) and 504 loans, shifting the eligibility requirement for small businesses from 51% to 100% U.S. citizen-owned. In line with the Administration's broader immigration reform efforts, this change means that federal funding will now be available only to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
What’s DOGE Doing To Small Businesses?
In the first few months of the Trump Presidency, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed billions in purported savings from the federal budget.
Turn Down The Application, Not The Applicant
Banks across the country operate with similar values: to be good, strong community partners that support the everyday financing needs of their fellow neighbors. However, small business owners often need more assistance. Whether they can find what they seek from their everyday bank isn’t always guaranteed. Banks that manually fund small business loans often have more difficulty doing so, and new data shows that small businesses aren’t always loyal to them in return.
Meeting CRA Goals Is Now A Growth Opportunity, Not A Compliance Burden
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), established nearly 50 years ago, requires financial institutions to address the needs of the communities in which they operate, particularly in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. This includes providing loans to small businesses with annual revenues under $1 million. This initiative is undoubtedly commendable. However, fulfilling CRA requirements places considerable pressure on banks that operate manually to meet these needs.
Banks Can Leverage Auto Financial Spreading To Supercharge SBA Lending
While small business sentiment reached a 3.5-year high in November, a January report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) indicated that uncertainty is rising. There are several reasons for this. Entrepreneurs are closely watching how potential tariffs and inflation play out as they consider what they can afford to do this year and how they will finance it.
How Banking Leaders Can Analyze Key Tech Investments To Boost Revenue
Financial technology is plentiful – recent put the total number of SaaS companies at 17,000 across the United States as demand for cloud-based services continues and the pace of technology continues to expand. These companies significantly outnumber the total number of 4,577 FDIC-insured banks in the country. It makes sense that financial institution decision-makers are inundated with trends, tools, and emerging tech.
Perfect Credit Scores? Don’t Need ‘Em. Why And How Loan Origination Practices Are Changing.
Bob Dylan certainly wasn’t referencing lender financing when he wrote “The Times They Are A-Changin',” but the parallels between the 1960s generational gap in politics and today’s technology gap in financing are curious. Many banks in the United States continue to manually underwrite small business loans. This slow and expensive process, often riddled with inherent human bias, results in frequent rejection of loans based on one data point: the credit score.
To Stay Competitive, Small Financial Institutions Must Court SMBs Original
Small business owners aren’t loyal to their bank. Perhaps it’s no surprise. As inherent problem solvers, it’s safe to say that they’ll move their company’s money to the institution most willing to work with them. It makes sense: to survive, these companies need both capital and resources. When faced with unfavorable conditions, they are right to quickly make a move. Over the last few years, this hasn’t posed a problem for banks.
Three Key Predictions For How SMBs Should Prepare For Growth In 2025
There’s a lot to be optimistic about in 2025. Small business owners have navigated an unprecedented last few years of bank collapses, a tepid funding landscape, and sky-high interest rates to pressure test their business plans. Yet, a new analysis from the U.S. Treasury Department affirms that “more than 70 percent of small business leaders expect revenues to grow over the next year, the most since the pandemic,” as they remain a key driver of net new jobs domestically.
Small Business Owners Depend on Access to Financing But Struggle to Find Ideal Solution, Study Finds
Lendio has released its inaugural State of SMB Lending report. In the survey of over 1000 small business owners, 68% of small businesses say access to financing is the most important factor in the growth of their businesses. While respondents expressed confidence in their ability to access capital, they said the loan amount and term often fall below their expectations.
FIS Launches SMB Digital Lending to Streamline Small Business Loan Processes
FIS® (NYSE: FIS), a global leader in financial technology, today announced the launch of its new SMB Digital Lending solution. Created in partnership with Lendio, the nation’s leading small business financial solutions technology platform, the solution aims to reduce the barriers to funding for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by streamlining and automating lending processes for financial institutions.
What 2023 Taught Us About Small Businesses And Funding Main Street
Unprecedented is probably a word most of us can live without hearing again, especially following the pandemic. However, with the roller coaster of events in 2023, it is a pretty fitting word to describe the year we’re just closing out. In the spring, we watched several banks collapse. The Fed met throughout the year, raising interest rates a total of four times, as of this article’s publishing. Our nation narrowly avoided exceeding our debt ceiling.
Yes, You Can Still Apply For The Employee Retention Credit
For a tax law, the Employee Retention Tax Credit has received an extra large helping of attention in the news. On September 14, 2023, the IRS announced an immediate moratorium on processing new Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims leading to a surge of stories around the ERC being “frozen” or “halted.” Last week Congress responded by asking the IRS for details on how the agency will keep up with the backlog of claims while improving the process for preventing fraud.
ERC Fraud And How To Avoid It
By Brock Blake, CEO of Lendio The (ERC or ERTC) was originally passed as part of the CARES Act, which provided a tax credit to eligible small businesses that retained employees during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The ERC was later expanded twice in 2021 to include eligible small businesses that retained employees in the first three quarters of 2021 and to include recovery startup businesses that started business on or after February 15, 2020.
How Brock Blake co-founded Lendio
Click here to reserve a free ticket to meet Brock and learn from his story during the Utah Business Founder Friday in-person event on August 25th in downtown Salt Lake City. — The Founder Series is a column by and about Utah founders and how they got to where they are today. Click here to read past articles in the series. Growing up, I never thought about becoming an entrepreneur.
CARES Act Employee Retention Credit (ERC): Increase In Scammers And Delays In Refunds
By Brock Blake, Forbes Contributor Just in time for tax season, the IRS recently released its “Dirty Dozen” list. The agency says this list represents the worst of the worst tax scams, and it issues it as a way to warn and urge businesses and consumers to be vigilant in not falling victim to one of these scams. In theory, this is a great way to protect both businesses and consumers.
How The Pandemic Triggered An Evolution On Main Street
As recently as two years ago, banks and credit unions really didn't lend to true Main Street. They were focused on larger businesses who needed cash infusions of $1M+, had good credit, plenty of collateral, pristine cash flow... and really didn't need a loan. Why?
Why PPP Loan Applications Are Getting Stuck And How To Keep Yours Moving
James Fugate, co-owner of Eso Won Books, arranges copies of President Obama's memoir "A Promised ... [+] Land" in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, November 24, 2020. - It's been a rough year for Black-owned small businesses, and the latest surge in coronavirus cases suggests a festive season without much celebration. "Black Friday" normally kicks off the holiday shopping season the morning after Thanksgiving.
Extending The PPP Is The Only Option
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, file photo, Edith Cordova, co-owner of Cinco de Mayo ... [+] restaurant, delivers food for customers dining outside, in New York. Restaurants devastated by the coronavirus outbreak are getting a lifeline from the pandemic relief package awaiting final approval in the House. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS We’re two months into the re-opened Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
SBA Releases New PPP Guidelines Designed To Buoy Small Businesses
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 09: Sunny Donuts owner Chip Lim listens to a customer's order on Oct. 9, ... [+] 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Sunny Donuts is closing on this Sunday, Oct. 11.
PPP Loans Part 2-What Small Businesses Need To Know
getty After months of delays and partisan bickering, Congress passed a second stimulus bill, which has now been signed by President Trump. A significant part of this second stimulus includes renewed funds for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. For small business owners, their families and their employees, help is finally on the way—just in time for the new year and, hopefully, in time to spare more businesses from closure.
It’s Time To Act To End America’s Small Business Nightmare
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 22: Asia Mei, owner of Moonshine 152, poses in her restaurant, which has been ... [+] shut down due to COVID-19, on April 22, 2020. Her corner bar and food served the local South Boston community.
Transcript of Felix Zulauf’s opening remarks on the Grant Williams / Bill Fleckenstein End Game podcast - Episode #9
(the publishing of this transcript is NOT associated with the End Game podcast nor with Felix Zulauf — the full podcast can be found at this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grant-williams-podcast/id1508585135— more on Felix Zulauf at this link: https://felixzulauf.com/firmoverview/) Preamble “Before we get going here’s the bit where I remind you that nothing we discuss during the End Game should be considered as investment advice, this conversation is for informational and...
The Data Is Clear: PPP Needs To Be Extended ASAP To Keep Small Businesses Afloat
UNITED STATES - AUGUST 27: The U.S. Capitol dome is seen at sunrise on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. ... [+] (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images The toll of the coronavirus pandemic on communities across the U.S. is heartbreaking. The impact is especially profound for the friends and families of individuals lost, as well as those who have been sickened and the people who care for them.
PPP Loans Should Not Be Automatically Forgiven
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury secretary, speaks during a House Small ... [+] Business Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Erin Scott-Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images The Paycheck Protection Program has been a vital lifeline for businesses during the pandemic, providing close to $520 billion in aid to more than 5 million businesses.
Breaking Down One Lender’s PPP Loan Data (Infographic)
Advertisement Many industries have suffered severe financial losses due to the coronavirus lockdown – perhaps none more so than the restaurant industry. Lendio recently gathered statistics on the $8 billion in PPP loan approvals that we helped facilitate for 100,000 small businesses. We found that of all industries we helped generate loans for, the restaurant industry ranked third in volume (behind construction and healthcare) at just over $150 million.
PPP Loans Help America’s Small Businesses Stay Afloat During The Pandemic
Getty Over the past three months, my team and I have been nearly 100% dedicated to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. When most individuals were quarantined to their homes, increasing the time spent with loved ones, our families were neglected as we spent thousands of hours adding PPP lenders to our marketplace, building PPP loan application technology from scratch and helping 100,000 small businesses save their American dream.
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Paycheck Protection Program Loans-The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Jovita Carranza, administrator of the Small Business Administration, speaks about coronavirus as ... [+] Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump listen. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) ASSOCIATED PRESS The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds have been exhausted. In less than two weeks, $349 billion has been claimed by around 1.6 million small business owners. While that may seem like a lot, 1.6 million is a mere 6% of America’s small businesses.
Paycheck Protection Loans-What Small Businesses Need To Know
Getty In response to the economic turmoil caused by coronavirus, late last week the federal government approved a $2 trillion stimulus package known as the CARES Act. The 880-page document is a large, complex piece of legislation. On top of this, last-minute changes and clarifications have created quite a bit of confusion and misunderstanding about what exactly the bill means for small businesses.
Paycheck Protection Loans-What Small Businesses Need To Know
Getty In response to the economic turmoil caused by coronavirus, late last week the federal government approved a $2 trillion stimulus package known as the CARES Act. The 880-page document is a large, complex piece of legislation. On top of this, last-minute changes and clarifications have created quite a bit of confusion and misunderstanding about what exactly the bill means for small businesses.
6 Ways Manufacturing Companies Can Stay Afloat Today
For those looking for a capital injection, here are a few resources to help you survive during these trying times. By Brock Blake, CEO and founder of Lendio The coronavirus is sweeping across our nation and our world, with no end in sight. As people practice social distancing and self-quarantining, businesses – including those in manufacturing – are grappling with how to keep their doors open.
6 Ways Restaurants Can Drum Up Funds During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic rips through the U.S., people are doing their part to keep everyone safe, including through social distancing, abiding by local curfew laws and following shelter-in-place orders. While these adjustments are a necessary evil, it is wreaking havoc on small businesses, with quick-service and fast-casual restaurants in particular taking a major hit.
Small Business Demand For Capital Skyrockets As COVID-19 Fears Continue
Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any crisis we’ve faced in the past. The stock market has dropped tremendously over the past few weeks, the Federal Reserve has cut rates to almost zero, and many businesses have been forced to significantly change how they operate.
It’s Time For Online Lending To Live Up To Its Name
Getty There’s a reason why Amazon is one of the most valuable companies in the world: efficiency. There’s not much to fuss about: your address and payment information are stored for seamless purchases. If you want to buy something, you can usually get it with a few clicks and within a few days (sometimes less). If you’re like me, most of the time when you shop on Amazon, you don’t care who the fulfillment partner is—you just want to buy a product.
When Venture Funding Becomes A Pipe Dream, Entrepreneurs Look To Loans
Kevin Banahan operated his Brooklyn-based skateboarding academy as a side gig for years, renting space from another business. Eventually, he and his partner decided the academy had grown strong enough to merit its own location. When Banahan’s local bank wouldn’t grant him a loan to establish a physical space for SKATEYOGI, due to his lack of collateral, he applied for financing through Lendio’s marketplace.
Women Business Owners Still Face Difficulties in Obtaining Capital
Women, especially women of color, not only earn less than men in the workforce but are also less likely to get access to capital for their businesses. Perhaps the most sobering statistic is that in all of 2018, women had a meager 2.2% share of the $130 billion given out in venture capital. And that was a $1 billion improvement over the prior year. Unfortunately, things didn’t improve at the start of 2019. According to Crunchbase, 17% of VC dollars went to companies with at least one female founder.
4 Things Lenders Can Learn from the Past 8 Deep Recessions
In July the U.S. economy saw 121 months of economic expansion, breaking the previous record. But with that good news comes a caveat: the economy is due for another recession. The Federal Reserve of New York has pegged the chances of a recession beginning next year at about 33 percent. This is based on the yield curve as a primary indicator, which looks at short-term versus long-term interest rates on government bonds.
4 Things Lenders Can Learn from the Past 8 Deep Recessions
In July the U.S. economy saw 121 months of economic expansion, breaking the previous record. But with that good news comes a caveat: the economy is due for another recession. The Federal Reserve of New York has pegged the chances of a recession beginning next year at about 33 percent . This is based on the yield curve as a primary indicator, which looks at short-term versus long-term interest rates on government bonds.
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