Small Business Lending Survey 65

APPENDIX C. 

Small Business Lending Survey 

1 For example, a C&I loan may be collateralized by a 1-4 family primary residence.

2 For example, a C&I loan may be collateralized by a 1-4 family primary residence.

The survey instrument begins on the following page.

[Screener] 

Screener1. For calendar year 2015, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the number 

and dollar volume of new loan originations and renewals, by purpose (e.g. Commercial & Industrial 

(C&I), Commercial Real Estate (CRE), or Consumer), separately from collateral?1

a. Yes

b. No

Screener2. For calendar year 2015, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the number 

and dollar volume of new loan originations and renewals, made to firms with $1 million or less in 

gross annual revenue? 

a. Yes

b. No

Screener3. For calendar year 2015, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the number 

and dollar volume of new loan originations and renewals, by firm gross annual revenue, for any 

sized firm? 

a. Yes

b. No

Screener4. For calendar year 2015, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the number 

and dollar volume of new loan originations and renewals, by commercial loan product type (e.g. 

lines of credit, term loans, etc.)? 

a. Yes

b. No

Screener5. As of Call Report date ______, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the 

number and dollar volume of outstanding loan balances, by purpose (e.g., C&I, CRE, or Consumer), 

separately from collateral?2

a. Yes

b. No

Screener6. As of Call Report date ______, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the 

number and dollar volume of outstanding loan balances, made to firms with $1 million or less in 

gross annual revenue? 

a. Yes

b. No

Screener7. As of Call Report date ______, do your bank’s core data systems have the ability to retrieve the 

number and dollar volume of outstanding loan balances, by firm gross annual revenue, for any 

sized firm? 

a. Yes

b. No
66 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

[Programmer’s Note: Throughout the Survey, please show Section headers on each screen with related questions]

I. Small Business Borrowers at Your Bank, in Calendar Year 2015 

1. In your own words, please describe the general characteristics of the small business borrowers to which 

your bank lends, regardless of regulatory definitions for small businesses. (The purpose of this question is 

to compare how banks differ in what they consider to be small businesses.) 

____________________________________________________________________________

2. For calendar year 2015, do you consider largely all of the loans made by your bank for Commercial and 

Industrial (C&I) purposes to have been made to borrowers that you consider to be small businesses? 

a. Yes

b. No

3. Generally speaking, does your bank internally consider a level of gross annual revenue, regardless 

of regulatory definitions for small businesses, above which a business would NOT be considered a 

small business?

a. Yes

b. No

3A. [If Q3=Yes] What is this annual revenue benchmark above which a business is NOT considered a 

small business? $___,___,___.00

4. Generally speaking, does your bank consider an aggregate loan exposure above which the business 

being lent to would NOT be considered a small business?

a. Yes

b. No

4A. [If Q4=Yes] What is this aggregate loan exposure above which a business is NOT considered a 

small business? $___,___,___.00

5. Does your bank offer any loan products designed specifically for small businesses? Please do NOT 

include government-sponsored loan programs, such as Small Business Administration loans.

a. Yes

b. No, our bank does not offer any products that differentiate between small businesses and all businesses

5A. [If Q5=Yes] How many such small business-specific loan products does your bank offer? 

___________

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q6 only if Bank is in Strata 1-6]

6. At the end of calendar year 2015, what was your bank’s “internal” (or “house”) loan exposure limit, as 

set by your bank’s Board of Directors? $___,___,___.003

3 Hover: If your bank uses different limits for different loan portfolios, please report the limit for C&I lending.
 Small Business Lending Survey 67

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

II. Total Loan Originations at Your Bank in Calendar Year 2015 

7. In calendar year 2015, what were the total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans for ALL 

purposes, including all consumer loans and all commercial loans to businesses of all sizes? Please refer to 

the instruction box below, for detailed instructions on what lending to include.4

Loans for all purposes...

Include Lending Related to:

• Acquisition, Construction, and Development 

• Agricultural and Farm

• Commercial and Industrial (C&I) 

• Commercial Real Estate (CRE)

• Multi-family Real Estate 

• 1-4 Family Residential Properties

• Consumer-activity, including (and not limited to) Auto and Credit Cards 

Note:

• For renewals, include the whole amount of the renewal.

• For lines of credit, include the entire amount of the available line originated or renewed.

• Include non-portfolio loans that were originated for sale.

$___,___,___,___.00

4 Hover: Please note that we are asking for total origination and renewal dollars for ALL PURPOSES, not only for small business 

lending purposes. Note also that the figures requested are NOT currently reported on the Call Report. 
68 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

III. Commercial and Industrial Loan Originations at Your Bank, in Calendar Year 2015

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q8 only if Screener1=Yes]

8. In Question 7, your bank provided its total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans for ALL 

purposes. In calendar year 2015, what were the total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans 

for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) purposes, only? Please refer to the instruction box below, for 

detailed instructions on this Survey’s definition for C&I lending.5

For the purposes of this Survey, loans for commercial and industrial purposes are loans to fund 

C&I activity, regardless of the collateral used to secure the loan. Specifically, ...

Include:

• Unsecured C&I activity lending 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by commercial real estate, including both owner-occupied 

and non-owner occupied CRE 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by multi-family residential properties 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by 1-4 family residential properties

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by non-real estate assets (e.g. secured by inventory)

Exclude:

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of commercial real estate, including both 

owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of multi-family real estate 

• Lending for the purchase of 1-4 family residential properties by investors 

• All Agricultural lending 

$___,___,___,___.00

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q9 only if Screener1=Yes]

9. In calendar year 2015, what were the total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans for 

Commercial and Industrial purposes, that were primarily secured by 1-4 family residential properties, 

only? Please refer to the instruction box below, for examples of loans to include.6

Examples of loans to Include:

• A line of credit to a business for working capital purposes, primarily secured by the primary residence of the owner.

• A loan to an established small business borrower to open a new business, primarily secured by the 

primary residence of the owner.

$___,___,___,___.00

5 Hover: Please note that the figures requested are NOT currently reported on the Call Report. 

6 Hover: Please note that the figures requested are NOT currently reported on the Call Report.
 Small Business Lending Survey 69

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q10 only if: 

Bank in Strata 5, 6, 7 or 8 AND Screener1=Yes and Screener2=Yes]

10. In calendar year 2015, what were the total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans for

Commercial and Industrial purposes, to businesses with gross annual revenues of $1 million or less, only?

Please refer to the instruction box below, for detailed instructions.7

For the purposes of this Survey, loans for commercial and industrial purposes are loans to fund 

C&I activity, regardless of the collateral used to secure the loan. Specifically, ...

Include:

• Unsecured C&I activity lending 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by commercial real estate, including both owner-occupied 

and non-owner occupied CRE 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by multi-family residential properties 

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by 1-4 family residential properties

• C&I activity lending, primarily secured by non-real estate assets (e.g. secured by inventory)

Exclude:

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of commercial real estate, including both 

owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of multi-family real estate 

• Lending for the purchase of 1-4 family residential properties by investors 

• All Agricultural lending 

$___,___,___,___.00

7 Hover: Please note that the figures requested are NOT currently reported on the Call Report.
70 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q11 only if Bank in Strata 5, 6, 7 or 8 

AND Screener1=Yes and Screener3=Yes and Q3=Yes

AND Q3A answered with a value, different from $1 million]

11. In calendar year 2015, what were the total originations and renewal dollars committed to loans for

Commercial and Industrial purposes, to businesses with gross annual revenues of [Insert value from 

Q3A] or less, only? Please refer to the instruction box below, for detailed instructions.8

For the purposes of this Survey, loans for commercial and industrial purposes are loans to fund C&I 

activity, regardless of the collateral used to secure the loan. Specifically, ...

Include:

• Unsecured C&I activity lending 

• C&I activity lending, secured by commercial real estate, including both owner-occupied and nonowner occupied CRE 

• C&I activity lending, secured by multi-family residential properties 

• C&I activity lending, secured by 1-4 family residential properties

• C&I activity lending, secured by non-real estate assets (e.g. secured by inventory)

Exclude:

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of commercial real estate, including both 

owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied

• Lending for the improvement, purchase, or refinancing of multi-family real estate 

• Lending for the purchase of 1-4 family residential properties by investors 

• All Agricultural lending 

$___,___,___,___.00

8 Hover: Please note that the figures requested are NOT currently reported on the Call Report.
 Small Business Lending Survey 71

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

[Programmer’s Note: Section IV is asked only if bank in Strata 5, 6, 7 or 8]

IV. Outstanding Loans Reported on the Call Report, for Commercial & Industrial Activity

A. Loans for Commercial & Industrial Activity, Secured by 1-4 Family Residential Properties 

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q12 only if Screener5=Yes]

12. Looking at the outstanding balances of [insert dollar amount]9 reported on your bank’s [insert date] Call 

Report for closed-end loans of all liens primarily secured by 1-4 Family Residential Properties, what was 

the total dollar amount that would have been classified as Commercial and Industrial (C&I) lending, 

had it not been primarily secured by the primary residence of the owner? Please refer to the instruction box 

below, for examples of loans to include.

Examples of loans to include:

• A line of credit to a business for working-capital purposes, secured by the primary residence of the 

owner.

• A loan to an established small business borrower to open a new business, secured by the primary 

residence of the owner.

$___,___,___,___.00

B. Loans for Commercial & Industrial Activity, Secured by Nonfarm Nonresidential Properties 

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q13 only if Screener5=Yes]

13. Looking at the outstanding balances of [insert dollar amount]10 reported on your bank’s [insert date] Call 

Report for loans secured by owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied Nonfarm Nonresidential Properties (i.e. Commercial Real Estate), what was the total dollar amount that would have been classified as 

Commercial and Industrial lending, had it not been primarily secured by commercial real estate? Please 

refer to the instruction box below, for examples of loans to include and details on lending to exclude.

Examples of loans to include:

• A loan to a business for working capital purposes, secured by the premises of the business.

Exclude:

• Lending for the purchase, refinancing, or improvement of commercial real estate, both owneroccupied and non-owner-occupied

$___,___,___,___.00 

9 Info Box: This number comes from Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 1 and is the sum of Lines 1c(2)(a) and 1c(2)(b).

10 Info Box: This number comes from Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 1 and is the sum of Lines 1e(1) and 1e(2).
72 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q14 and include all columns only if Screener7=Yes.

Ask Q14 and include only columns (a), (b), and (c) only if Screener 6=Yes and Screener7=No]

C. Loans for Commercial and Industrial Activity, by Firm Size

14. Looking at the outstanding loan balances for Commercial and Industrial loans, reported on your bank’s 

[insert date] Call Report with origination amounts of various sizes, what was the total dollar amount of 

such loan balances to businesses with the following gross annual revenues?11 12 13 14 15

Call Report 

Loan Sizes

(a)

Call 

Report 

Figures

(b)

Dollar Amount of Loans Balances to Businesses 

with Annual Revenues of

Total

(f)

$1 Mill or less

(c)

Greater than $1 

Mill to less than 

$10 Mill

(d)

$10 Mill or 

more

(e)

$100k or less [insert 

Call dollar 

amount] 12

$__________ $__________ $__________ [Autocalculate: If 

Screener5=Yes, then 

sum Columns (c), (d), 

and (e)]

Greater than 

$100k up to 

$250k

[insert 

Call dollar 

amount] 13

$__________ $__________ $__________ [Autocalculate If 

Screener5=Yes, then 

sum Columns (c), (d), 

and (e)]

Greater than 

$250k up to 

$1 Mill

[insert 

Call dollar 

amount] 14

$__________ $__________ $__________ [Autocalculate: If 

Screener5=Yes, then 

sum Columns (c), (d), 

and (e)]

Greater than 

$1 Mill

(Note: 

Derived 

figure)

[insert 

derived 

dollar 

amount]15 

$__________ $__________ $__________ [Autocalculate If 

Screener5=Yes, then 

sum Columns (c), (d), 

and (e)]

[Programmer’s Note: 

Insert error flag if 

Column (b) does not 

match Column (f)]

11 Hover: Please use your best estimate of revenue available, for example, revenue collected at the time of loan origination.

12 Info Box: This number is from Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 2, Line 4a, Column B.

13 Info Box: This number is from Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 2, Line 4b, Column B.

14 Info Box: This number is from Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 2, Line 4c, Column B.

15 Info Box: This number is derived from Call Report Schedule RC-C and is Schedule RC-C Part 1, Line 4a less the sum of Call Report 

Schedule RC-C Part 2, Line 4a, Column B, Call Report Schedule RC-C Part 2, Line 4b, Column B, and Call Report Schedule RC-C 

Part 2, Line 4c, Column B.
 Small Business Lending Survey 73

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

V. Small Business Commercial and Industrial Lending Competition, Practices, and Applications at 

Your Bank 

D. Small Business Commercial and Industrial Loan Competition in Your Market

15.A bank’s geographic market (or trade area) for commercial and industrial loans to small businesses is 

where the bank focuses its resources and outreach to generate such small business lending. What is your 

bank’s trade area or geographic market for commercial and industrial purpose loans to small businesses? 

Mark only one.

a. Only city/town where your bank’s headquarters are located

b. County or counties with branches 

c. County or counties with branches, and nearby (not necessarily contiguous) counties 

d. States in which branches are located

e. States in which branches are located, and nearby states 

f. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with branches 

g. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with branches, and nearby (not necessarily contiguous) counties 

h. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with branches, and nearby (not necessarily contiguous) 

MSAs 

i. National

j. Other ______________________ 

k. Other ______________________ 

l. Other ______________________ 
74 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

16. Currently, which institutions do you compete with most frequently for your bank’s commercial and 

industrial lending to small businesses? 

Competitor Institutions for C&I Lending to 

Small Business Borrowers

(a)

Is this Institution 

a Competitor 

with Your Bank?

Mark all that 

apply.

(b)

Please 

Rank Your 

Bank’s Top 3 

Competitors 

(1=Top 

Competitor)

(c)

a. Small banks (Less than $1 Billion in Assets)

b. Mid-sized local banks with a physical presence in your 

market ($1 Billion to less than $10 Billion in Assets)

c. Mid-sized local banks with no physical presence in your 

market ($1 Billion to less than $10 Billion in Assets)

d. Regional (multi-state) banks with a physical presence in 

your market ($10 to less than $50 Billion in Assets)

e. Regional (multi-state) banks with no physical presence in 

your market ($10 to less than $50 Billion in Assets)

f. Large banks with a physical presence in your market 

($50+ Billion in Assets)

g. Large banks with no physical presence in your market 

($50+ Billion in Assets)

h. Credit unions

i. Non-bank local lenders

j. Non-bank online lenders, including marketplace lenders 

(e.g., OnDeck, Lending Club, Kabbage, etc.)

k. Crowd-funding sites 

(e.g., Kickstarter, Indiegogo, CircleUp, CrowdFunder, etc.)

l. Credit card issuers

m. Other ____________

n. Other ____________

o. Other ____________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Options:

1

2

3

[Programmer’s 

Note:

Only allow 

options that 

were selected in 

Column (b)]
 Small Business Lending Survey 75

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

Competitive Advantages for C&I Lending to 

Small Business Borrowers 

(a)

Do [Most frequent 

competitor #1] 

Have this 

Competitive 

Advantage?

Mark all that apply.

(b)

What are 

the Top 3 

Competitive 

Advantages of 

[Most frequent 

competitor #1] ?

(c)

Convenience

a. Availability of credit products 

b. Availability of other services (e.g., deposit capabilities, 

remote products)

c. Convenient location for borrower

d. Number of locations

Customer Service

e. Established relationship with business banker/loan officer

f. Personal attention given by lender

g. Quality of staff (including experience and knowledge)

Pricing/Structure 

h. Fees 

i. Interest rates 

j. Term

k. Flexibility in pricing or loan structure

Speed of service

l. Closing/Funding speed

m. Decision speed

Technology 

n. Mobile banking 

o. Remote deposit capture

Underwriting criteria

p. Collateral requirements

q. Debt Service Coverage

r. Loan-to-Value

Other

s. Other ____________

t. Other ____________

u. Other ____________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

[Programmer’s 

Note:

Only allow 

options that 

were selected in 

Column (b)]

17. In Question 16, your bank ranked its top three competitors. In relation to your bank, which of these 

forms of competition do you consider to be the competitive advantages of [Most frequent competitor, 

Ranked #1 in answer to Q16, Column (c)], the institution your bank ranked as its number 1 competitor, in 

competing against your bank for commercial and industrial lending to small businesses today? 
76 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

18. In relation to your bank’s competitors, which of these forms of competition do you consider to be your 

bank’s competitive advantages today, in generating your bank’s commercial and industrial lending to 

small businesses? 

Competitive Advantages for C&I Lending to 

Small Business Borrowers

(a)

Does Your Bank Have this 

Competitive Advantage?

Mark all that apply.

(b)

What are Your Bank’s

Top 3 Competitive 

Advantages?

(c)

Convenience

a. Availability of credit products 

b. Availability of other services (e.g., deposit 

capabilities, remote products)

c. Convenient location for borrower

d. Number of locations

Customer Service

e. Established relationship with business 

banker/loan officer

f. Personal attention given by lender

g. Quality of staff (including experience and 

knowledge)

Pricing/Structure 

h. Fees 

i. Interest rates 

j. Term

k. Flexibility in pricing or loan structure

Speed of service

l. Closing/Funding speed

m. Decision speed

Technology 

n. Mobile banking 

o. Remote deposit capture

Underwriting criteria

p. Collateral requirements

q. Debt Service Coverage

r. Loan-to-Value

Other

s. Other ____________

t. Other ____________

u. Other ____________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

[Programmer’s Note:

Only allow options 

that were selected in 

Column (b)]
 Small Business Lending Survey 77

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

E. Commercial & Industrial Loan Products Offered to Small Businesses, by Your Bank

19. In calendar year 2015, did your bank offer any of the following commercial and industrial loan product 

types to potential borrowers that your bank considers to be small businesses? 16

Commercial & Industrial Loan Product 

Types Offered to Small Businesses

(a)

Did Your Bank Offer this 

C&I Loan Product? 

Mark all that apply.

(b)

Please Rank Your Bank’s 

Top 3 Loan Product 

Types, By Dollar Volume 

of Originations to Small 

Businesses, in 2015 

(1=Most)

(c)

a. Credit cards (as principal sponsor)16

b. Letters of credit

c. Lines of credit (LOC)

d. Term loans – balloon

e. Term loans – fully amortizing

f. Other ______________

g. Other ______________

h. Other ______________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Options:

1

2

3

[Programmer’s Note:

Only allow options that 

were selected in Column 

(b)] 

20.Does your bank use the same underwriting criteria for example, owner’s personal credit score, debt-service coverage, or loan-to-value ratio) across commercial and industrial loan products offered to small 

businesses, even if the thresholds for approval are different?17

a. Yes 

b. No

21. Please tell us more about any commercial and industrial lending that your bank may extend to small 

business startups.

18

21A. Below what age would a small business be considered a startup by your bank? _____

21B. In your own words, how does your bank define startups, other than by age? _____

21C. Does your bank make commercial and industrial loans to startups?

a. Yes 

b. No

16 Hover: The term ‘principal sponsor’ means that your bank is the sponsoring bank that directly handles card transactions on 

behalf of merchants.

17 Hover: By “threshold” we mean the acceptable level for an underwriting criterion, for example, “a maximum 75 percent loanto-value ratio.”  In this example, a differing threshold could be a “maximum 80 percent loan-to-value ratio” for a different C&I 

loan product. Another example could be requiring a minimum personal credit score of 650 for small business term loans but a 

minimum of 700 for a small business credit card.

18 Hover: Please note that by ‘startups’ we mean new operations, not new owners of existing businesses.
78 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

21C1. [If Q21C=Yes] Does your bank underwrite startups differently from established small 

businesses for commercial and industrial lending? 

a. Yes 

b. No

21C1a. [If Q21C1=Yes] What additional underwriting criteria and/or processes does your 

bank apply in extending commercial and industrial credit to startups?__________

_______________________________________________________________

22.In Question 19, your bank ranked its top three loan products to small businesses. Please tell us more 

about your bank’s [Commercial loan product type, Ranked #1 in Q19 Column (c)], the loan product your 

bank ranked as its number 1 loan product to small businesses, for commercial and industrial purposes.

22A. Thinking about [Commercial loan product #1] for commercial and industrial purposes, how do you 

expect its volume of loans to small businesses to change in the next calendar year? Mark only one.

a. Increase

b. Stay the same

c. Decrease

22B. Is there a minimum allowable loan amount for [Commercial loan product #1] for commercial and 

industrial purposes, offered to small businesses?

a. Yes 

b. No

22B1. [If Q22B=Yes] What is the minimum loan amount allowed for [Commercial loan product #1] 

for commercial and industrial purposes, offered to small businesses? 

$____,____,____.00

22C. For what purposes are proceeds from [Commercial loan product #1] for commercial and industrial

lending typically used by small businesses? Mark all that apply

a. Accounts receivable 

b. Equipment, fixed assets, or leasehold improvements

c. Inventory

d. Working capital

e. Other ____________

f. Other ____________

g. Other ____________

22D. What collateral is commonly accepted used by small businesses for [Commercial loan product #1] 

for commercial and industrial purposes? Mark all that apply. 

a. No security/collateral required 

b. Secured by accounts receivable and/or inventory 

c. Secured by business assets and/or equipment 

d. Secured by cash or other liquid assets of business

e. Secured by cash or other liquid assets of owner of guarantor

f. Secured by commercial real estate (e.g., building, land)

g. Secured by personal assets, other than cash/liquid assets or personal real estate (e.g., 

marketable securities, vehicles)
 Small Business Lending Survey 79

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

h. Secured by personal real estate

i. Secured by other collateral ____________

j. Secured by other collateral ____________

k. Secured by other collateral ____________

22E. How often does your bank use any of the following underwriting criteria to evaluate potential small 

business borrowers for [Commercial loan product #1] for commercial and industrial purposes?

Underwriting Criteria

How Often Does Your Bank Use 

This Practice? 

a. Loan debt service coverage

b. Business’ global debt service coverage 

c. Personal guarantee

d. Other guarantee offered

e. Business’ debt-to-worth 

f. Owners’ debt-to-worth 

g. Business’ cash/liquidity position

h. Owners’ overall financial strength/net worth 

i. Business’ credit score

j. Owners’ or guarantors’ personal credit score(s)

k. Loan-to-value ratio

l. Sell cycle for accounts receivable or inventory 

m. Business’ time in operation

n. Owners’ experience in industry

o. Other _____________

p. Other _____________

q. Other _____________

Options:

Always

Almost always

Sometimes

Almost never

Never

22F. What are typical reasons why exceptions from loan policy are allowed for potential small business

borrowers for [Commercial loan product #1] for commercial and industrial purposes?

Mark all that apply.

a. Existing competing offers 

b. Existing good customer deposit relationship

c. Existing good customer loan relationship

d. Existing good customer loan and deposit relationship, considered together

e. Positive business prospects for borrower

f. Potential for other new banking relationships with customer

g. Strong mitigating factors

h. Other _______________

i. Other _______________

j. Other _______________

k. No exceptions are allowed
80 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

F. Small Business Commercial and Industrial Loan Applications, Activity, and Access, at Your Bank

23.Where can a potential borrower that your bank considers to be a small business apply for a commercial 

and industrial (C&I) loan from your bank? Mark all that apply.

a. Any branch

b. Branches with loan offices

c. Brokers (in-person or by telephone)

d. Follow-up call from bank, after customer inquiry

e. Online using bank’s own website

f. Online using third-party website

g. On-site visits to businesses by bank staff 

h. Main headquarters office 

i. Other ____________

j. Other ____________

k. Other ____________

[Programmer’s Note: Ask Q23A only if online options ‘e’ or ‘f’ selected in Q23]

23A. Does your bank accept online applications for commercial and industrial loans from all small 

business applicants? Mark only one.

a. Yes, from all applicants

b. No, from some applicants only 

c. No loan applications from small businesses are accepted online
 Small Business Lending Survey 81

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

24.What practices does your bank currently use to generate new and maintain existing small business 

commercial and industrial loan relationships?

Practices to Generate Small Business C&I Lending Relationships 

(a)

Does Your Bank 

Engage in this 

Practice?

Mark all that 

apply.

(b)

What are the 

Top 3 Practices 

Used by Your 

Bank?

(c)

Convenience

a. Ability to talk to someone 

b. Accepting walk-ins

c. Branch network

d. Hours open

e. Non-bank locations of loan production offices

f. Online applications

External sources

g. Brokers

h. Indirect lending 

i. Lead generators

j. Referrals from customers, or “word of mouth”

k. Referrals from “centers of influence” (e.g. local attorneys, 

CPAs, and Chambers of Commerce)

Outreach/Strategy

l. Active marketing to customers from past or current 

banking relationships

m. Active marketing to customers not from past or current 

banking relationships

n. Community involvement and service (e.g. board 

participation, networking events, and other sponsorships)

o. Intentional personal contact from staff

p. Knowledgeable staff (e.g. business development specialists) 

Provision of Business Services

q. Card payment processing

r. Check cashing services

s. Payroll services or payroll cards

t. Transfer services

Other

u. Other ____________ 

v. Other ____________

w. Other ____________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

[Programmer’s 

Note:

Only allow 

options that 

were selected in 

Column (b)]
82 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Appendix C. Small Business Lending Survey

25.In calendar year 2015, in consultation with your bank’s loan officers, in situations where an inquiry from 

a small business did not lead to a commercial and industrial loan (for any reason), did your bank do any 

of the following? Mark all that apply. 

a. Offer business financial counseling, provided directly by bank staff

b. Place in contact with or share literature from third-party technical assistance providers 

c. Refer to another commercial loan product offered by the bank

d. Refer to consumer loan products offered by the bank (e.g. a HELOC or personal credit card)

e. Refer to an SBA or USDA-guaranteed product

f. Suggest that customer find an investor/partner, for a stronger equity/capital position

g. Suggest outside financial counseling (e.g. provided by professionals or by government authorities)

h. Other ____________

i. Other ____________

j. Other ____________

26.In calendar year 2015, what were the challenges that your bank faced in providing commercial and 

industrial loan credit to small businesses? 

Challenges to Providing C&I Loan Credit to Small Businesses

(a)

Did Your 

Bank Face this 

Challenge? Mark 

all that apply. 

(b)

What were 

the Top 3 

Challenges 

Faced by 

Your Bank?

(c)

a. Borrowers’ failure to meet underwriting criteria

b. Borrowers’ lack of experience in industry

c. Caps on guaranteed programs 

d. Competition

e. Lack of demand

f. Insufficient funding sources for bank

g. Staffing

h. Secondary market conditions

i. Other ____________

j. Other ____________

k. Other ____________

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

[Programmer’s 

Note:

Only allow 

options that 

were selected in 

Column (b)]