The DBO on Dec. 11, 2015, launched an inquiry into the so-called online, or alternative, lending sector. The inquiry’s objective is to determine whether market participants are fully complying with state lending and securities laws. It also aims to assess how the state’s regulatory regime is working, and should work, with respect to the industry.
Resource Category: Access to Capital
The Tipping Point for Women’s Entrepreneurship
This Annual Report is a synthesis of the Council’s commitment to supporting women in business by producing best-in-class, actionable research on the most relevant issues facing aspiring and current women business owners and leaders, and identifying – through research and engagement – the unique barriers and challenges of women in pursuit of business.
2014 Small Business Credit Survey
Since 2010, the Federal Reserve has been monitoring small business credit conditions through regional surveys of business owners. In 2014, the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Philadelphia collaborated on a common small business credit survey to cover much of the eastern region of the U.S. The survey offers insight about the quality and pace of the sector’s recovery by providing evidence on credit conditions from the perspective of borrowers.
Student Debt Among Young Entrepreneurs
A quick run down of the ways that student debt and entrepreneurship interact.
Access to Capital by Women-Owned Businesses
This report examines factors affecting access to capital for high growth women-owned or women-led firms. Prior research suggests that significant gender differences in firm employment, size, and growth rates persist (Bitler et al., 2001; Fairlie & Robb, 2009; Coleman & Robb, 2009). Data from the United States Census Bureau indicate that less than 30% of businesses are owned by women and only 12% of those firms employ anyone other than the business owner are herself. Only 2 percent have 10 or more employees. Census data indicate women-owned employer firms make up just 16% of employer firms and that only 2 percent of women-owned firms in the United States have revenues in excess of $1 million. (2007 Survey of Business).
Barriers to Women’s Entrepreneurship
Women entrepreneurs still face challenges getting fair access to capital. Only 4 percent of the total dollar value of all small business loans goes to women entrepreneurs. The report proposes expanding microloans and makes SBA’s Intermediary Loan Program permanent to provide more capital to women entrepreneurs.
Financial Vulnerabilities of Microbusiness Owners
The latest report from CFED looks at how micro-businesses manage their finances, the major financial challenges they face, and which components of financial capability help them succeed.
Women’s Business Centers Factsheet
The SBA’s Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program supports 106 nonprofit organizations that provide business training and counseling to female entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, which includes women in underserved communities. The program is supported by the Small Business Administration and matched by donations.
Small Business Access to Credit
The California Reinvestment Coalition’s (CRC) 2010 economic development report documented a dramatic two-thirds plunge in critical bank lending to California small businesses between 2007 and 2009; businesses that are universally seen as the engine of economic recovery. This report unveils the appalling continuing reality that today’s bank lending to small businesses shows only the barest improvement since 2009.
2013 Survey of Small Businesses
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland sponsored an online survey of small
businesses, which was conducted from July 1 through August 15, 2013. The survey
included questions about business conditions, financing, and workforce needs.