Lending Practices and Canadian Women in Micro‐based Businesses

Abstract

Investigates the lending needs of the self‐employed and of micro‐based businesses. Describes the lack of coherence between the evaluative criteria used in traditional lending models and the needs of business owners. Findings suggest that the standard “5 C” model for assessing the viability of loan applications does not meet the needs of the present business environment. Women business owners may be at a disadvantage when applying for a business loan as the supposedly “objective” criteria are applied in a “subjective” manner to the detriment of female entrepreneurs. Presents information on the characteristics of micro‐loan programmes and proposes a market approach to micro‐loan practices that is better adapted to changing finance opportunities.

Citation

Orser, B.J. and Foster, M.K. (1994), "Lending Practices and Canadian Women in Micro‐based Businesses", Women in Management Review, Vol. 9 No. 5, pp. 11-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649429410066992