Newtek Business Services,The Small Business Authority, announced the release of the SB Authority Index forJune 2011reaching 106.07 points. The SB Authority Index is up 1.17% fromMay 2011. Approved SBA loan volumes, the Russell microcap index and Retail Sales caused the increase in the index. The other five components of the index are ADP national employment report, Newtek's proprietary merchant processing volume, estimated small business default loan rate, GLS default rate and the prime rate.

President and CEO,Barry Sloanesaid, "We continue to see mixed results from the small businesseconomy. We also need to remind our audience that our index is not a final sales number and is made up of eight different economic factors thatdirectly effect small businesses. In the month of June, SBA loanguaranty volume jumped from the prior year as we have steadied loan demand this year and in 2010 the SBA had smallbusinesseswaiting for greater subsidies available under the Obama Recovery plan. We have also observed greater retail sales growth this yearversus last year. We continue to be concernedwith thebusiness climate but we welcomeWashington's effort to reduce the federal deficit and uncertainty for small businesses and their future."