Canada’s antitrust watchdog plans to examine barriers to entry for lenders that want to provide financing to small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as those that may prevent such firms from switching lenders. The organization has invited Canadians to submit feedback by Oct. 3. (The Logic)

Talking point: Making it easier and more competitive for small businesses to access loans could improve the entire economy by boosting productivity and innovation, the Competition Bureau said. In 2023, banks made about two-thirds of loans to small businesses with the remainder split between credit unions, the government and online alternative lenders, according to Statistics Canada. Those figures haven’t changed much over the past 15 years and assets are concentrated among the country’s big banks, which the Competition Bureau said suggests “a lack of vigorous competition.” The study isn’t a probe into specific antitrust violations, but the Competition Bureau said it will investigate if it finds any.