Perception of Entrepreneurial Success Characteristics

What do bank officials look for in entrepreneurs seeking capital for small businesses? Do entrepreneurs perceive these same characteristics as important or are there perceptual differences between bankers and small business owners on what constitutes characteristics for entrepreneurial success? This paper examines these issues through a survey of midwestern bankers and small businesspeople. The survey demonstrated significant differences in the dimensions or characteristics that contribute to entrepreneurial success as viewed by each group. The implications of this research may illustrate the difficulties prospective small business owners have in obtaining capital from banks for new ventures.