Equity

This chapter focuses on the United Kingdom (UK) looking out from the great recession of 2007-2010 for the decade up to 2020. It first presents a short historical overview of developments in the last decade. Then it reviews the current market using the UK small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance monitor. The UK SME Finance Monitor is the most representative and independent source of information on funding trends. The mainstream banking sector continues to be cautious in the supply of entrepreneurial debt-based funding. Amongst business owners and advisers, interest continues to increase in alternative funding solutions alternatively, external funding like entrepreneurial funding is needed to set up and later grow a business beyond its current trading format. It is also possible that a more general shortage of debt funds for small firms may emerge. The chapter finally comments on the likely pattern of market developments to 2020.