In this week's Financial News Wrap, Paige Estritori discusses the hardships facing Australian SMEs due to rising costs, tightening financing, and high interest rates. According to CreditorWatch's survey, a majority of operators are resorting to personal savings to sustain their businesses. Alternative funding solutions such as invoice financing firms like Earlypay are providing relief. Contrarily, the tech startup sector is witnessing growth, especially within fintech and climate tech. Regulatory bodies like RBA have noted stricter lending criteria leading to increased insolvency rates. Despite these challenges, some sectors remain resilient, investing in long-term growth and innovation. The episode also touches on the recent rise in unemployment, balanced by an increase in the participation rate, and employment growth. It hints at potential interest rate cuts by RBA and anticipates an upcoming inflation announcement.