businesses as they seek funding support from Australia’s risk-averse Big

Four banks? In the wake of the financial crisis, the increasing power

of the Big Four – underpinned by the government deposit and wholesale

funding guarantees – has caused other lenders to be squeezed out. The

cost and the terms for credit are predicted to become even tougher for

small business this year. Business owners are being urged to “get their

houses in order” so they can make a strong case for bank funding when

markets recover.