New Report: Small Businesses Lean Into Growth and AI

Rhea-AI Summary

Enova (NYSE: ENVA), through its small business lending brand OnDeck, and AI workflow platform Ocrolus released the Q2 2026 Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report. The nationwide survey of 805 small businesses, combined with cash flow data from over 3.76 million financing applications over 15 months, shows 93% of owners expect moderate to significant growth in the next year, steady with Q1 2026.

Inflation was cited as the top concern by 34% of respondents, ahead of cash flow at 30%. About 75% of small businesses reported bypassing traditional banks for working capital in Q2. AI usage reached 61%, up from 58% in Q1, and 91% of AI users reported a positive business impact, according to the companies.

Market Context

ENVA's recent insider activity was classified as Net Selling. That platform context tempers interpre...

Analysis

ENVA's recent insider activity was classified as Net Selling. That platform context tempers interpretation of recurring AI and lending data, while low short positioning and inflation-led small-business concerns remain relevant factors to monitor.

Key Figures

Growth Expectations: 93% Inflation Concern: 34% Cash Flow Concern: 30% +5 more

8 metrics

Growth Expectations 93% Q2 2026; owners expecting moderate to significant growth over the next year

Inflation Concern 34% Q2 2026; leading small-business concern

Cash Flow Concern 30% Q2 2026; second-leading small-business concern

Traditional Bank Bypass 75% Q2 2026; small businesses bypassing traditional banks

AI Adoption 61% Q2 2026; up from 58% in Q1

Prior-Quarter AI Adoption 58% Q1 2026

Positive AI Impact 91% AI users reporting a positive business impact

Survey Responses 805 small businesses Survey underlying the Q2 2026 report

Previous AI Reports

4 past events · Latest: Jan 28 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jan 28	AI adoption report	Positive	+1.0%	Small-business growth confidence, non-bank lending preference, and AI adoption increased.
Nov 20	AI leadership changes	Positive	-1.0%	People.ai added senior marketing and customer-success leadership for AI go-to-market expansion.
Oct 22	AI adoption report	Positive	+2.3%	Small-business growth expectations and AI adoption increased amid lending preference shifts.
Aug 26	AI planning report	Positive	+3.5%	Small businesses anticipated growth while planning AI implementation and managing tariff concerns.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

ENVA's tag-matched AI announcements were generally followed by positive reactions, with one leadership-related divergence.

Key Terms

working capital loans, cash flow analytics, machine learning algorithms, fraud detection

4 terms

working capital loans financial

"The report is based on survey responses from 805 small businesses with working capital loans"

Working capital loans are short-term loans companies use to cover everyday operational expenses—such as payroll, inventory purchases, or utility bills—when incoming cash is delayed or uneven. Investors care because frequent or growing reliance on these loans can signal ongoing cash-flow stress and higher financial risk, while occasional use can simply smooth predictable ups and downs; like a household using a short-term loan to bridge paychecks, it affects a company’s short-term stability and flexibility.

cash flow analytics financial

"Ocrolus, an AI workflow and cash flow analytics platform for lenders"

Cash flow analytics is the process of measuring and interpreting the actual cash coming in and going out of a business, including regular operating receipts, one-time payments, and future cash projections. For investors it shows whether a company generates enough real money to pay bills, invest and return capital, much like checking whether a household has enough cash in the bank despite credit cards or paychecks; strong cash flow reduces risk and supports valuation decisions.

machine learning algorithms technical

"products powered by the company's world-class analytics, machine learning algorithms"

Machine learning algorithms are computer programs that learn patterns from historical data to make predictions or decisions without following step-by-step human instructions; think of them as a teacher-trained assistant that recognizes trends and applies them to new situations. For investors, they matter because they can improve forecasting, automate trading, detect fraud, and personalize services—potentially boosting returns and cutting costs—while also introducing risks tied to data quality, model errors, and regulatory or transparency issues.

fraud detection technical

"cash flow and income analytics and fraud detection across a wide variety of document types"

Fraud detection is the set of methods and tools used to spot false, misleading, or illegal financial activity—such as fake transactions, manipulated reports, or identity theft—before it causes major harm. It matters to investors because catching fraud early protects a company’s cash, reputation, and legal standing, much like a smoke detector alerts you to a small fire before it spreads; failures in detection can lead to sudden losses, regulatory fines, and plunging share prices.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Small businesses continue to bypass traditional banks for working capital, and AI adoption rises

CHICAGO, July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Small business optimism remained steady in Q2 2026 with more than nine in 10 owners confident in growth over the next year, according to the latest Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from OnDeck, a market leader in small business lending, and Ocrolus, an AI workflow and cash flow analytics platform for lenders.

Key findings include:

• Growth Expectations. Small business optimism held firm in Q2 2026, with 93% of owners expecting moderate to significant growth over the next year, consistent with Q1 2026.
• Top Challenges. Inflation reclaimed the top spot as the leading small business concern (34%), surpassing cash flow at 30%.
• Lender Preference. Seventy-five percent of small businesses report bypassing traditional banks in Q2, in line with prior quarters.
• AI Adoption. Sixty-one percent of small businesses report using AI, up from 58% in Q1, with 91% of users reporting a positive impact on their business.

"Small business owners are staying focused on growth even as the cost pressures they face shift from quarter to quarter," said Cory Kampfer, Co-President of Small Business Lending at Enova. "What stands out in this quarter's data is how deliberately small businesses are using AI. It is no longer a novelty – it is becoming part of how they run day-to-day operations."

"The cash flow data tells a consistent story: non-bank loan inflows rose year over year, while traditional bank loan inflows declined," said David Snitkof, General Manager of Small Business at Ocrolus. "Small businesses are steadily shifting how they access capital, and lenders with better data visibility are winning that business."

The report is based on survey responses from 805 small businesses with working capital loans and cash flow data from over 3.76 million small business applications for working capital financing during the past 15 months. The nationwide survey was completed between June 16–24, 2026. For more information and complete survey results, please visit ondeck.com/small-business-trends.

About OnDeck®
OnDeck®, part of Enova International, is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small businesses. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners. OnDeck has provided loans to customers in 900 different industries nationwide. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.

About Enova
Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) is a leading online financial services company that serves small businesses and consumers who are underserved by traditional banks. For over 20 years, Enova has provided over $72 billion in loans and financing to more than 15 million customers by offering a suite of market-leading products powered by the company's world-class analytics, machine learning algorithms and proprietary technology. You can learn more about the company and its portfolio of businesses at www.enova.com.

About Ocrolus
Ocrolus is a vertical AI workflow and analytics platform that transforms financial documents and digital data into regulatory-grade decision intelligence. Purpose-built for lending since 2016, the platform analyzes roughly 750,000 credit applications each month with industry-leading accuracy — enabling financial institutions to make faster, more confident credit decisions. Ocrolus goes beyond data extraction to deliver audit-ready cash flow and income analytics and fraud detection across a wide variety of document types, including bank statements, pay stubs and tax forms. Trusted by over 400 customers, Ocrolus is the engine of modern credit underwriting. To learn more, visit Ocrolus.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-small-businesses-lean-into-growth-and-ai-302839588.html

SOURCE Enova International, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key findings of Enova (ENVA) and OnDeck's Q2 2026 Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report?

The report finds 93% of small business owners expect moderate to significant growth in the next year. According to Enova and OnDeck, inflation is the top concern, 75% bypass traditional banks for working capital, and AI adoption reached 61% with most users seeing positive impact.

How are small businesses using AI according to Enova (ENVA) and Ocrolus in Q2 2026?

According to Enova and Ocrolus, 61% of small businesses report using AI in Q2 2026. This is up from 58% in Q1, and 91% of AI users say it positively affects their business, indicating AI is becoming part of day-to-day operations.

What does the Q2 2026 report say about small business lending preferences versus traditional banks?

The report states that 75% of small businesses bypassed traditional banks for working capital in Q2 2026. According to Enova and Ocrolus, non-bank loan inflows rose year over year while traditional bank loan inflows declined, signaling an ongoing shift in capital access.

How concerned are small businesses about inflation in Enova (ENVA) and OnDeck's Q2 2026 survey?

Inflation is the leading concern, cited by 34% of surveyed small businesses in Q2 2026. According to Enova and OnDeck, this surpasses cash flow concerns at 30%, showing shifting cost pressures even as overall growth optimism remains high.

How large was the data set used in the Q2 2026 Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from Enova (ENVA)?

The report is based on survey responses from 805 small businesses and cash flow data from over 3.76 million applications. According to Enova and Ocrolus, these working capital financing applications span the past 15 months, providing a broad view of small business trends.

When was the Q2 2026 small business survey for Enova (ENVA) and OnDeck's report conducted?

The nationwide survey for the Q2 2026 report was completed between June 16 and June 24, 2026. According to Enova and OnDeck, responses from 805 small businesses with working capital loans underpin the report’s cash flow and sentiment insights.