Enhancing Access to Capital for Small Businesses: Insights from Ford Credit’s Cathy O’Callaghan at the Ford Pro Accelerate Forum

Ford Credit Aims to Boost Small Business Financing Through Education and Dealer Partnerships

Detroit, MI – September 30, 2025 – In a bold move to enhance access to capital for small businesses, Ford Credit is prioritizing education and strengthening dealer relationships. During the Ford Pro Accelerate forum, President and CEO Cathy O’Callaghan highlighted a staggering statistic: fewer than 15% of new small business loan applications receive approval.

The forum brought together leaders from commercial vehicle sectors, technology providers, government officials, and financial services firms to discuss the economic challenges facing essential workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, and energy.

O’Callaghan emphasized that while many new entrepreneurs excel in their craft, they often lack the financial acumen necessary to navigate the complexities of running a business. “To run a business, you might need deeper access to financial information, which may not be readily available to some of our small essential businesses,” she stated.

Key financial insights that small business owners need include understanding the types of available credit, knowing when to invest for growth, and establishing solid financial records to present to lenders. O’Callaghan pointed out the hurdles on the lending side, noting that financial institutions often receive “hundreds of thousands” of applications, making it difficult to assess each business’s unique circumstances.

“To truly support small enterprises, we need to understand their specific situations and growth goals,” O’Callaghan explained. “This requires mentorship and a deep understanding of their financial needs.”

Building Bridges Through Dealer Relationships

Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle division of Ford, is leveraging strong dealer relationships to facilitate this process. O’Callaghan noted that many dealer principals are entrepreneurs themselves and can provide invaluable coaching on financial matters and credit policies.

“Some of our bigger dealer principals will have to be a coach and mentor to some of the small businesses,” she said. “They’ve gone through those growing pains and can teach small businesses about tax benefits, savings, investment, and insurance.”

The potential for financing opportunities is significant, with Ford Pro reporting a 43% market share in the Class 1 to Class 7 market in the third quarter, an increase of 0.8 percentage points year-over-year. Transit van sales surged by 32.3% year-over-year, and paid-software subscriptions for Ford Pro jumped by 30%.

As Ford Credit continues to emphasize education and collaboration, the company aims to empower small businesses with the financial knowledge and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

For those interested in further exploring the challenges and opportunities in equipment finance, a free webinar titled “High-priced used equipment inventory: The no-man’s land of equipment finance” is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, at 11 a.m. ET.

As the landscape for small business financing evolves, Ford Credit is committed to being a catalyst for change, ensuring that essential workers and entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed.