Newtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority, announced the release of the SB Authority Index for December 2011 reaching 109.82 points.  The SB Authority Index is up .34% from November 2011. The slight improvement was led by new business formations, Newtek's proprietary merchant processing volume and retail sales.

President and CEO, Barry Sloane said, "The continuous increase in new business formations over the course of 2011 is extremely positive and could provide the inertia for significant growth in the SMB segment.  When businesses start up, they hire new staff from zero, rent new space from zero, pay tax from zero and purchase hardware/software, all components which are very stimulating."