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Prime's 2026 Banking in Focus research highlights SMB growth opportunity

Thursday, August 06, 2026 — 18:48:29 (UTC)

Primax’s 2026 Banking in Focus Research Highlights SMB Growth Opportunity for Community Banks

Conducted in partnership with Visa, the study reveals how community banks can attract and deepen relationships with small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

Tampa, Fla. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Primax, a provider of payment processing services and value-added solutions for banks, today announced the release of its second annual Banking in Focus research. This year’s study reveals a significant opportunity for community banks to strengthen relationships with small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as their financial needs evolve.

According to the study, 86% of SMBs work with multiple banking partners, using an average of 2.8 financial institutions for their business banking needs. With SMB relationships increasingly spread across providers, community banks have an opportunity to capture more of the relationship by becoming a trusted partner throughout the business lifecycle.

“Community banks have a strong foundation with small businesses built on trust, relationships and personalized service,” said Bill Hampton, president of Primax. “This year’s Banking in Focus research shows that the path forward is not replacing those strengths, but building on them with the capabilities SMBs need to manage and grow their businesses. By continuing to evolve alongside their customers, community banks can deepen relationships and strengthen their role in the SMB market.”

Key findings from this year’s study include:

Community banks have a strong foundation to build on: SMBs that bank with community financial institutions report high satisfaction with transparent fees and customer service, yet community banks are less likely than larger providers to serve as businesses' primary financial institution. This suggests an opportunity to strengthen awareness of their business banking capabilities and reinforce their value as businesses grow.

Growing SMBs need more sophisticated financial support: As businesses scale, their needs become more complex, with greater demand for capabilities such as payment processing, payroll, treasury management and financial advisory support. Community banks that evolve alongside their business customers are better positioned to retain relationships over time.

Personal and business banking relationships are closely connected: More than half (53%) of SMBs surveyed use the same primary financial institution for both personal and business banking, highlighting the opportunity for community banks to deepen relationships as entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses.

Access to credit and payments can determine a business's ability to grow: One in three SMBs — and 39% of lower middle market businesses — say payment and credit challenges affect their ability to maintain cash flow and invest in growth, underscoring the critical role financial institutions play beyond traditional banking services.

Digital banking and security are baseline expectations: Robust digital banking, fraud protection and card offerings have become table stakes for SMBs. Community banks can differentiate by pairing these essentials with the personalized service and business expertise for which they are known.

The study also outlines strategies for community banks looking to acquire, deepen and retain SMB relationships, including leading with payments, leaning into their core strengths, supporting SMB credit needs and engaging early and often as businesses grow.

Primax’s 2026 Banking in Focus research was conducted in partnership with Visa and surveyed 600 U.S. small- and medium-sized business owners and decision makers. The audience was evenly split, with 300 respondents from micro and small businesses with less than $10 million in annual revenue, and 300 respondents from lower middle market businesses with $10 million to $50 million in annual revenue. All participants were 21 years of age or older, with a mix of gender and age groups.

The 2026 Banking in Focus white paper is available for download on the Primax website.

About Primax

Primax provides banks with payment processing services and an expansive array of value-added technology and solutions. Primax’s customizable solutions, including risk management, mobile and online card management, data and analytics, loyalty programs, marketing, strategic consulting, delinquency management and contact center services, help banks profitably grow their portfolios and deliver an unparalleled experience to their accountholders. With a longstanding commitment to service excellence, Primax has been designing and providing support services for banks throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean for over 40 years. For more information, visit www.primax.us.

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Source: Company press release.

Categories: Reports and research