News Summary: Small business borrowing up in April
News Summary: Small businesses increased borrowing in April, first gain in 2013, survey shows
BORROWING IS UP: Small businesses took out more loans and leases during April, the first increase in borrowing in 2013, according to the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index.
THE READING: The index rose to 110.5 from 99 in March, bringing it back to where it was at the start of 2013.
OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME: Businesses have held off borrowing because of concerns about a number of issues, including the impact of federal budget cuts, the slow economic recovery and health care law costs. Those concerns make it hard to predict whether April's increase was the start of a trend.