According to the Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index for February 2012, large bank lending to small business remains flat, while the rate of growth at credit unions is twice that of small banks. Over the last year, the largest institutions in the U.S. who received taxpayer assistance specifically to lend to small business only approve an average of 10% of the requests they receive. Credit unions approve more than 50% of their loan requests from small businesses.

In fact, throughout the recession and slow recovery, credit unions have remained committed to small business lending. When banks of all sizes clamped down on loans to businesses, credit union actually increased loans. According to data from regulators (see graph), during the period from December 2007 through December 2011, banks choked back lending to small business by nearly 15 percent; credit unions during the same time period increased lending by 45 percent.

Following the current Senate Recess in Washington, the body will consider the "Small Business Lending Enhancement Act," allowing credit unions to continue their crucial role in helping small business.  "We urge our Texas Senators, Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn, to vote for this bill when they return to Washington on April 16th," said Dick Ensweiler, president and CEO of the Texas Credit Union League." It'll help put more than 8,900 back to work in the first year. It's good for Texas, and good for the country."