Women entrepreneurs 'being treated better'

Date: 6th November 2009

Female sole traders and small business owners are benefitting from a changed attitude among banks, it has been claimed.

Tatjana Hine, president of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs, believes that banks are "looking at women's businesses differently" in the wake of the credit crunch.

She also suggested that female-owned firms tend to be smaller and carry fewer debts, leading to creditors becoming more favourable to them in the present financial conditions.

Many businesses have found it more difficult to borrow over recent months, due to the financial crisis and economic downturn.

Ms Hine said: "It has been much more difficult for women than it has for men in the past [to gain finance].

"I do feel that after this crisis now, banks are actually looking at women's businesses differently … [they have] become more friendly towards women entrepreneurs. It would be nice if they could continue to be so."

The comments follow the announcement of new government plans to provide assistance for female and ethnic minority entrepreneurs.

A Women's Enterprise Champion and a Women's Enterprise Forum to encourage business development will be created under the proposals.

Posted by Emma Clarke