From the local hardware store that’s been around for generations to the coffee shop and the bakery that started from a home kitchen, small businesses are the heartbeat of the U.S. economy, making up 99.9% of all the U.S. businesses.

They create jobs, fuel innovation, and drive local communities forward – yet securing funding remains one of their biggest hurdles. 

Why?

• They often operate with less collateral.
• Their business models are unique, making standard evaluations tricky.
• They often lack proper credit histories.
• They’re riskier, with higher failure rates.

But Where Big Banks See Risk, Community Banks See Potential

Community banks hold a unique advantage in this landscape – they are not outsiders – they are a part of the community. They know the businesses, the people behind them, and the stories & potential behind every loan application. This proximity gives them an edge in assessing the risk and bridging the information gap that large banks can’t. 

Numbers? About 82% of small businesses secure loan approvals from community-focused institutions, compared to just 68% at national banks. 

But their tech stack isn’t able to keep up with the speed and complexity of today’s lending landscape. Their legacy systems create friction, delays, and inefficiencies, costing time, money, and trust in today’s digital-first world. 

Solution? To lead in this new era of lending, they need more than just passion and insight – they need innovation.

Champions of Small Business Lending

Blend the best of both worlds – Personalized Service + Modern Technology. 

By leveraging Eltropy One Unified Platform, community banks can create a smarter, faster, and more human lending journey – from the first outreach to loan closure and beyond. How? Explore how Eltropy can help transform small business lending:

1. Connect with Borrowers, Anytime, Anywhere
   Engage borrowers on their preferred channel (Text, Voice, Email, Video, Chat), and switch channels seamlessly to keep communication moving.
2. Speed Up Paperwork with Secure Document Sharing
   Upload, sign, and share documents securely via text – no extra portals, logins, or downloads necessary.
3. Instant Remote Borrower Verification
   Validate borrower identity securely via OTPs (One-Time Passwords), Video Verify, ID, Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) – without slowing down the process.
4. Keep Borrowers in the Loop with Real-Time Loan Tracking
   Send real-time “pizza tracker” updates synced to your LOS – so borrowers always know what’s happening and what’s next.
5. Bring the Branch to your Customers
   Conduct secure video calls, digital check-ins, and easy appointment scheduling – so business owners can meet with loan officers on their terms.
6. 24/7 Customer Support
   AI-powered support agents handle routine questions instantly, freeing up your human agents to focus on high-value accounts and strategic lending support.
7. Maximize Post-Loan Closure Value
   Automate feedback surveys and collect reviews via Text to drive referrals, uncover upsell opportunities, and turn every loan closure into a revenue boost.

The Future of Small Business Lending Starts With Eltropy

Eltropy Lending Solution seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art technology with high-touch relationships – empowering community banks to attract, accelerate, and close more loans effortlessly. 

With Eltropy, you don’t just keep pace — you set the pace, driving growth and opportunity for the businesses you serve. The future is here. Let Eltropy show you how to lead it. 

Connect with our experts today and take the first step into tomorrow’s lending world.