Viva Capital Flags Cash Flow Strain as Small Business Stress Mounts

By AI, Created 10:00 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Viva Capital says rising costs, uneven cash flow and tighter credit are squeezing small businesses nationwide. The El Paso-based factoring company is pointing owners to invoice factoring and trade credit as tools to keep operations moving.

Why it matters: - Small businesses are facing pressure from higher costs, uneven cash flow and limited access to credit at the same time. - Viva Capital says those strains can make it harder to meet payroll, pay suppliers and keep inventory moving. - The company is using the issue to spotlight invoice factoring and trade credit as cash flow tools for Main Street businesses.

What happened: - Viva Capital published new guidance on VivaCF.net titled “How to Maximize Cash Flow with Invoice Factoring and Trade Credit.” - The company cited the latest Small Business Credit Report, which shows 94% of small businesses reporting financial challenges. - Armando Armendariz, Viva Capital’s director of business development, said businesses are getting more creative about cash flow management and business financing.

The details: - 73% of firms say rising costs tied to goods, services and wages are creating strain. - 42% separately cite tariff-related cost increases. - 54% say covering operating expenses has become a challenge. - 50% report uneven cash flow as an added burden. - 29% point to credit availability as a problem. - Only 42% of businesses that apply for financing receive all the funds they need. - Viva Capital says extending supplier terms while accelerating receivables can widen the window of available cash. - Faster cash inflows can help businesses stay current on payables and avoid late fees. - Faster inflows and delayed outflows can help companies meet payroll, move inventory and take on work without interruption. - Armendariz said businesses can combine invoice factoring and trade credit, with factoring speeding up inflows and trade credit slowing outflows. - Viva Capital said businesses can request a complimentary quote by visiting VivaCF.net.

Between the lines: - The message goes beyond a single financing product and pushes a two-tool approach to working capital management. - Viva Capital is framing cash flow support as an operating necessity, not just a financing decision, as costs and credit conditions tighten. - The report suggests many small businesses are still not getting the full financing they seek, which may leave alternative funding solutions more relevant.

What’s next: - Viva Capital is directing owners to its online guide for more detail on factoring and trade credit. - The company says it will continue offering invoice factoring, accounts receivable financing and asset-based lending to B2B businesses. - Small businesses looking for funding can seek more information or a quote through VivaCF.net. - Viva Capital, founded in 1999 in El Paso, Texas, serves small and mid-sized companies with a qualification process that does not require strong credit or long time in business.