The Census Bureau reports there are about 5.6mm employer firms in the US. By size, those with fewer than 20 employees (small) made up 89.0%, while those with fewer than 100 employees (smaller-medium sized) accounted for 98.2%.
It's a well-established fact that small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are among community banks' most lucrative and most loyal customers. It is also interesting that, based on growing research, businesses started by immigrants to this country may represent the SMB segment most worth cultivating.
Earlier this year, the Kauffman Foundation released a report that found immigrants to the US now make up nearly 33% of all US entrepreneurs, more than 2x their share from 20Ys ago. Indeed, immigrants launch twice as many businesses per capita as native-born Americans. This arguably makes immigrants the engine driving what the Foundation has found to be the highest level of US entrepreneurship in more than 20Ys.
Further, just last year, a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) on this same topic determined that immigrants run one 1 of 5 US businesses. Further, in states such as CA, NY, NJ and FL, immigrants create 4 out of 10 new businesses. Interestingly, the report also found that immigrant-owned firms are also more likely to survive than fail.
Other aspects to note about immigrant-owned businesses as you determine how best your community bank can support them:
More women and younger. Female ownership is slightly higher in immigrant-owned firms and the owners tend to be younger than native-born business owners. This group is also more likely to combine owners of several ages, while native-born business owners are less likely. Knowing this, make sure that your marketing and community outreach focuses on women as well as men and ranges from millennials to boomers.
Similar education. Education levels tend to be similar between immigrant and native-born business owners. Consider pitching more mobile services to these customers given they are at least as educated and tech-savvy as their native-born peers.
Job creation. Based on the NBER study, immigrant-owned firms generated 3-4mm jobs, a figure that increases to 4-5mm including second-generation immigrant family entrepreneurs. While businesses founded by immigrants are somewhat smaller, they still boast comparable sales per employee. Consider highlighting your bank's ties to the larger community and 'soft' features such as meeting rooms available to business customers.
Run a tight ship. Just as with native-born small business owners, immigrant-owned firms are also looking for products and services that help with efficiencies (both for their business and professional lives). Be sure to do your best to make all customers aware of the products and services you offer in this area.
More international. Not surprisingly, immigrant-owned firms "show a substantially higher rate of engagement in international activity like exporting and the launch of overseas facilities," according to the NBER report. Of course, make sure this is true of your customers first, understand their business and then assist these owners in growing their international business.
