NEWSRELEASE
For Release: September 23,
2003
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 03-47 ADVO
Small Business Finance Detailed In New Report
Over 400
Statistical Tables Provide A Wealth Of Data For
Policymakers And Researchers
WASHINGTON, D.C. A new report issued today by the Office of Advocacy details patterns in small business financing. Drawn from the Federal Reserves latest Survey of Small Business Finance, the report features over 400 statistical tables comparing the borrowing patterns of various small business subgroups.
"The data contained in this report is a goldmine for policymakers and researchers," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "Sound public policy choices rely on sound data. This report is part of our on-going commitment to provide sound data about small business to federal, state, and local policy makers. It helps to fill-in the gaps in our knowledge about how different small business sub-groups use financing resources," he said.
In the report, "Financing Patterns of Small Firms: Findings from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finance", surveyed small businesses use of financing is examined from various aspects. Included are suppliers and kinds of credit, frequency of credit use, value of debt by kind of credit and credit supplier, and the value and percentage of debt and equity for firms in employment size categories. Financing patterns for all small firms and minority-owned, Hispanic-owned, and women-owned firms are also compared.
The Office of Advocacy, the "small business watchdog" of the government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues.
For more information and copies of the report, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsels efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.