Non-Bank Lender Confidence Climbs to Three-Year High Amid Shifting Market Dynamics
SFNet's Q1 2026 survey shows lender sentiment diverging as borrowers increase facility utilization and economic uncertainty reshapes financing activity.
As traditional banks pulled back in the first quarter of 2026, non-bank lenders moved in the opposite direction, posting their highest confidence reading in more than three years. New data from the Secured Finance Network underscores how rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping the financing landscape for American businesses.
According to the Q1 index, bank and non-bank lender confidence moved in opposite directions during the first quarter of 2026. Bank confidence declined seven points to 55, slipping into neutral territory, while non-bank confidence rose nine points to 67, reaching its highest level in more than three years.
"While the U.S. economy has demonstrated resilience through the first half of 2026, inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty continue to influence lender expectations," said SFNet CEO Rich Gumbrecht. "The divergence between bank and non-bank sentiment highlights the different opportunities and challenges facing lenders in today's market."
