Overcoming the obstacles? Access to bank finance for African‐Caribbean enterprise

Small enterprises under the ownership of persons of African‐Caribbean origin are a relatively under‐researched phenomenon (Barrett et al. 1996). This article seeks to partially fill this research void by drawing on evidence collected from in‐depth interviews. The article highlights strategies utilised by African‐Caribbeans in financing their businesses, particularly in respect of their take‐up of bank finance. Contrasts are drawn with a control sample of South Asian and white businesses. The nature of the finance used for the business start‐up is exposed. Evidence is presented in a number of formats including quantitative and qualitative data. The article concludes that access to a key source of start‐up capital, bank finance, is still a major stumbling block for prospective African‐Caribbean business owners. This resource gap threatens the sustainability of their enterprises and the long‐term development of an African‐Caribbean business‐owning class.