# Use Cases
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/small-business-credit-analytics/documentation/use-cases/index.md

The Small Business Credit Analytics data can help in answering key business questions across the underwriting lifecycle- from understanding the identity of a small business, to informing underwriting decisions, and effectively monitoring the business ongoing performance.

## Customer Use Cases {#customer-use-cases}

##### Know Your Business {#know-your-business}

Understand whether the small business exists and is it still operating by verifying whether the business has had recent Mastercard transactions.

##### Input to Underwriting {#input-to-underwriting}

Gather insight into weekly sales and other trending information like growth in average spend per card, average ticket size, and chargebacks.

##### Business Monitoring {#business-monitoring}

Monitor changes in sales patterns for existing customers with actual performance data to power dynamic line assignment and updates to risk ratings.

## Powered By {#powered-by}

The Small Business Credit Analytics API is powered by retail sales and benchmark metrics that collectively provide a comprehensive picture of a small business sales and sales health.

##### Retail Sales Analytics {#retail-sales-analytics}

Understand whether the small business exists and is it still operating by verifying whether the business has had recent Mastercard transactions.
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##### Retail Sales Benchmarks {#retail-sales-benchmarks}

Understand how the small business is performing against its peers in the same geographical location and business industry.
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