More than three-quarters of small business owners say they are concerned about their ability to access capital as banking stress prompts smaller institutions to tighten credit, according to our 10,000 Small Businesses Voices initiative, which conducts regular surveys of small enterprises in the U.S.
Just a year ago, 77% of respondents said they were confident about their access capital. Now the tables have turned, with the same percentage citing concern. Of the 17% who have applied for a new business loan in the past three months, 61% found it difficult to find affordable financing.