Surge in small businesses investing for future growth: CBA data

Australia’s small businesses are investing in their recovery, with CBA financing for equipment and machinery across the sector up 17 per cent so far this financial year, compared with the same period last year.

CBA research also shows 67 per cent of businesses have budgeted for new equipment in the next 12 months, with 55 per cent of those businesses specifically planning to invest in IT and office technology.²

Grant Cairns, CBA’s Executive General Manager for Business Lending, said he expects the growing rate of investment to continue, underpinned by a range of incentives, including new interest rates from CBA for its SME Recovery Loans; the extension of the Federal Government’s instant asset write off scheme to mid-2023, and new tax incentives announced in  the Federal Budget to encourage small businesses to invest in technology and training.

The Federal Budget included measures that allow small businesses to receive a $120 tax deduction for every $100 they spend on training staff or investing in technology up to a maximum of $100,000 a year.

“Government incentives have played a significant role in lifting business investment over the past few years. Since July last year, we’ve seen continued growth in asset finance in the small business sector, with the instant asset write-off scheme providing a good reason for customers to upgrade equipment and technology,” Mr Cairns said.

“There is also the government-backed SME Recovery Loan Scheme available until 30 June this year³, as well as new government measures providing upfront deductions on digital infrastructure, so I expect we will see a continued uplift in small businesses investment.

“We’re committed to supporting businesses to invest in the future. Last week we released new lower rates through CBA’s Government-backed SME loan, the ‘Business Restarter Loan’ with rates from 3.29 per cent, including flexible payment and security options and repayment holidays³. We encourage businesses to speak to us about how we can help meet their business needs.”

According to CBA’s data, small businesses have also been utilising CBA’s Energy Efficient Equipment Financing (EEEF) which rewards customers with a discount on financing for energy efficient vehicles, equipment and projects4. Financing under CBA’s EEEF is up 13 per cent so far this financial year, compared with the same period last year.

Across the small business sector, the largest investment boosts1 have been in:

• Electric cars – 156 per cent
• Trailers – 312 per cent
• Forklifts – 395 per cent

“As organisations welcome employees back into offices, they are investing in new technology to attract and retain staff, and many are demanding sustainable business investments. We’ve seen an uptake in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as investments across other assets including IT equipment.

“More small businesses are also seeing the benefits – including the financial benefit – of replacing old equipment with energy efficient alternatives. Many of our customers are utilising our leasing solutions and we’re able to offer packages that help businesses get everything they need now, with the flexibility to add on and upgrade in the future. Working with our strategic partner Equigroup, we have ways to help businesses convert these to leases and restore capital back for use in other areas, even if they have already paid cash for their IT equipment,” said Mr Cairns.

Source: Commonwealth Bank