NEW YORK -- Newtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority, announced the release of the SB Authority Index for April 2011. The SB Authority Index is up 0.69% from March 2011. Newtek's proprietary merchant processing volume, retail sales and approved SBA loan volume led the index increase. The other five components of the index are the Russell microcap index, ADP national employment report, new business formations, estimated small business default loan rate, and the prime rate.

President and CEO, Barry Sloane said, "The small business economy continues to limp along with tepid growth and minimal job additions. We have witnessed an uptick in small business lending but we believe the seeds for a reversal in trends could be in place unless business optimism picks up. The upward movement in this index should continue for a while as the Fed's zero interest rate policy has put a temporary floor on things but the underpinnings of the small business economy are fragile. Our own proprietary merchant processing data is showing some signs of encouragement for consumer and B2B spending but this will need to continue to drive the economy further in an upward trend."