Family, quick heads up. The midterms are two weeks out, on Tuesday, November 3. This post isn't about politics or who wins. It's about how banks act when the road ahead is uncertain: they get careful. And it's already happening. Here's what has changed: 🔺 Rates went up. On September 16 the Fed raised its benchmark rate a quarter point to 3.75%–4%. That's the first hike in more than three years. The next Fed meeting is October 27–28, one week before the election. 🔺 Banks are getting stricter. In the Kansas City Fed's latest small-business lending survey, more banks tightened standards than loosened them. 73% of those banks pointed to an uncertain economic outlook. 🔺 Credit cards too. 7% of banks in the Fed's latest Senior Loan Officer Survey said they tightened credit card standards. 🔺 The rules are in play. Regulators have proposed changes to how banks hold capital, and the next Congress could reinforce, limit or redirect them. Banks tend to lend more cautiously until the rules are settled. What this means for YOU: 👉🏽 Under 700: When banks tighten, the first applications they turn down have scores under 700, maxed-out cards, or collections still reporting. Waiting it out doesn't fix that. Knowing exactly what's holding your file back, and fixing it in the right order, does. 👉🏽700+: Strong files are still getting approved. But lenders are getting less tolerant of high utilization, recent inquiries, and applications sent in the wrong order. If you qualify today, this is your window to line up 0% business credit with a plan. Elections come and go. A file that's ready for lenders keeps your options open either way. 💪🏾 Drop a 🔥 below if you're getting your file ready this month, and bring your questions to Mindset Monday. Let's fund. 💸 – Timo