NFIB and Moody’s Announce Small Business Information Zone

Recently, the National Federation of Independent Business announced its support for a new online resource center created by Moody’s Corporation. The site – www.MoodysBiz.com – is designed to provide U.S. small business owners with free access to information and planning tools to help them manage their businesses through difficult economic times.

“We applaud Moody’s for showing its support for our nation’s small and independent businesses by creating a free resource center tailored specifically for their needs,” said National Federation of Independent Business President and CEO Dan Danner. “Moody’s Small Business Information Zone brings together a wealth of information that small business owners can use directly in their business planning – I know NFIB members will find it helpful.”

The site features small business news and economic analysis and timely articles on topics such as locating a lender, factors to consider when applying for credit, tips for completing credit applications, and alternatives that business owners can consider when a loan application is rejected. A variety of recent credit and economic data is also available, ranging from auto and retail sales data to daily foreign exchange and mortgage rates.

“The small business community is an important engine of job creation and innovation in our country and is vital to our economic recovery. Yet small business owners face unique challenges in navigating these difficult economic conditions and planning for the future,” said Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s Corporation. “For more than a hundred years, Moody’s has been a market leader in providing the tools, analysis and data that financial professionals need to have a better and more informed perspective on the markets. Moody’s Small Business Information Zone brings that experience to the small business community so they can better assess their competitive and financial environment.”

Also included is Moody’s SmallBiz Credit Assessment Tool, which lets businesses enter basic financial information about their company, such as revenue and expenses, to obtain a quantitative measure of the relative and comparative credit risk of their business. “These tools help give small business owners insight into how potential lenders may view their risk profile before they apply for commercial credit, so they can plan accordingly,” said Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics.

The site also provides access to detailed economic profiles by industry, as well as for geographic areas, searchable by state, metro area or zip code, to help owners of small businesses research local trends and activity when planning for expansion, hiring, or preparing a commercial credit application.

It is acknowledged by leaders from all sides of the political debate that small businesses are the key to our economic future. The efforts of the National Federation of Independent Business and Moody’s Corporation are promising signs that we will get through the current tough times and that the U.S. will continue to be the economic engine of the world.