Fox Business · 4 Sep, 13:00 · Business briefing

Kelly Loeffler on small business optimism rising, credit card swipe fees

Kelly Loeffler highlights a recent uptick in small business optimism, suggesting improved confidence among entrepreneurs despite ongoing economic headwinds.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Kelly Loeffler highlights a recent uptick in small business optimism, suggesting improved confidence among entrepreneurs despite ongoing economic headwinds. The discussion also addresses the persistent impact of credit card swipe fees on merchant margins. This news underscores the delicate balance small enterprises face between growing revenue and managing transaction costs. For professionals, it signals a sector that is cautiously expanding yet remains highly sensitive to operational expenses and regulatory frameworks affecting payment processing.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must recognise that small business resilience is now a critical market driver. As optimism rises, demand for roles in financial planning and operational efficiency will surge. You should focus on skills that help merchants navigate complex fee structures and optimise cash flow. Professionals in finance and accounting are particularly well-positioned to advise on cost-saving strategies. Consider upskilling in data analysis to identify spending leaks. If you work in sales or marketing, tailor your services to budget-conscious SMEs. A smart move is to specialise in payment processing compliance or merchant services. This shift rewards those who can deliver tangible bottom-line improvements. Prioritise certifications in financial management to stay relevant in this evolving landscape.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Small Business Marketing, Compliance And Governance and Bookkeeping Essentials — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.