Access to financing hasn’t been a problem for small
businesses in the U.S., according to a Federal Reserve annual survey, which
found 72% of respondents expecting revenue growth this year. Results of the
online questionnaire were released on May 22 with responses from nearly 8,200
companies during the latter half of 2017.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported the survey’s findings of
increased profitability and confidence among the country’s small businesses in
2017 as well as easier access to financing. In addition to revenue growth, more
businesses also anticipate hiring more employees in 2018 compared to last
year’s survey. There was a slight decline in firms that wanted to expand.
“Fewer firms felt the need to seek outside financing, with
only 40% looking for outside funding, down from 45% last year,” Reuters noted.
“Of the 64% of small businesses that reported trouble paying operating costs,
buying inventory or making debt payments, two-thirds relied on an owner or
investor’s personal funds.”
The survey concluded that the majority of struggling firms
were those with less than $100,000 in revenue—these were the same firms that
chose not to apply for a loan or other credit for fear of being turned down.
However, financing was approved for 46% of firms that applied, up 6% from the
previous survey.
-Andrew Michaels, editorial associate
No comments:
Post a Comment