8 Ways to celebrate National Small Business Week

National Small Business Week, May 4 - 10, 2025, offers community banks a prime opportunity to honor and support their small business customers. They are, after all, vital to our communities, have a significant impact on our economy, and continue to grow in numbers. “With approximately 33.3 million small businesses in the United States, representing 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, their significance cannot be overstated. Moreover, recent years have seen a surge in entrepreneurship, with over 5 million new business applications filed annually since 2020.”¹ Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce, provide employment to over 61M Americans, and represent 43.5% of America’s GDP.²

Starting and operating a small business is, of course, a highly challenging endeavor. What small business owners need, from business plan to profitable entity, is the support of a financial institution - SMBs, in particular. Why?

• Personalized service and local expertise: Unlike larger financial institutions, community banks prioritize relationships over transactions. Their deep understanding of local market dynamics allows them to offer customized solutions that align with the unique needs of small businesses. 
• Flexible lending practices: Community banks often provide flexible financing options, including favorable interest rates and repayment terms, making it easier for small businesses to access the capital they need for growth and operations. “In 2022, 82% of small-business applicants received at least partial loan approval from small banks, compared to 68% at larger banks. Small banks also provide more than 60% of small business loans nationwide.”³

Strategies for Celebrating National Small Business Week

To effectively engage with and support local entrepreneurs in celebration of this week-long observance, community banks can take some of the following actions:

1. Encourage attendance at the SBA-sponsored Small Business Virtual Summit: The National Small Business Week 2-day virtual summit is happening May 6 and 7, 2025. This year’s event will include educational presentations by experts, exhibit booths, free business resources, multiple peer-to-peer networking rooms, and expert business advice from SCORE mentors. Market this free event to both established and aspiring business owners.
2. Nominate your bank for an ICBA National Community Bank Service Award:  “ICBA’s National Community Bank Service Awards is a moment to celebrate the community banks that have stepped up for their communities in significant ways.” And small businesses are certainly important members of the community. Has your bank provided financial literacy education or services to start-ups or existing businesses in need? Nominations will be considered for promotional purposes through ICBA's national public relations and social media outreach. Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, April 30 and you can go here to nominate your bank.
3. Host educational workshops and seminars: Organize events that provide small business customers with valuable insights into financial management and marketing strategies. These workshops can empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
4. Offer special financing programs: Introduce special, time-bound loan products with reduced interest rates or flexible terms to encourage business expansion and innovation.
5. Highlight success stories: There are few marketing tactics as effective as testimonials/success stories. Community banks can use their wide range of media channels — such as their website, social media platforms, and newsletters — to feature local small business success stories. Sharing these stories not only promotes the businesses, and your part in their success, but can also inspire others in the community to become entrepreneurs.
6. Collaborate on community events: Partner with the local chamber of commerce and other small business-focused organizations to host events such as business expos and networking sessions.
7. Provide financial health check-ups: Offer complimentary financial assessments to small business clients, helping them identify strengths and areas for improvement.
8. Facilitate networking opportunities: Create forums or roundtable discussions where small business owners can share experiences, challenges, and solutions. Such platforms can foster collaboration and innovation within the local business community.  

What next?

National Small Business Week is an opportune moment for community banks to reaffirm their commitment to these very important members of the community; their small business owners. By leveraging their unique strengths — personalized service, local expertise, and flexible lending practices — community bankers can implement initiatives that not only celebrate small businesses, but contribute to their enduring success and perhaps with that, inspire entrepreneurship. Through education, collaboration, and SMB-tailored solutions, community banks can continue to play a pivotal role in empowering these banking customers who are so essential to our communities.

Bank Marketing Center 

We’re Bank Marketing Center, the leading, subscription-based provider of automated marketing services to community banks. Our goal is to help bank marketers with topical, compelling communication with customers that builds trust, relationships, and revenue. And we do this through automating critical bank marketing functions, such as content creation, social media management and digital asset management, as well as regulatory and brand compliance.

We also want to share what we know – and learn along the way – with all our community banking friends. Whether it’s the latest on AI technology, suggestions on how to attract and retain top talent, or the importance of data protection, we’re here to make bank marketing the best that it can be.

Want to learn more about what we can do for your community bank and your marketing efforts? You can start by visiting bankmarketingcenter.com. Then, feel free to contact me directly by phone at 678-528-6688 or via email at nreynolds@bankmarketingcenter.com. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

^₁Forbes. “Top Small Business Statistics.” January 31, 2024. 

²US Chamber of Commerce. “US Small Business Data Center.” May 20, 2024.

³Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “Small Banks, Big Impact.” October 20, 2023.