09 Oct 2025A study carried out by the British Business Bank has revealed that the use of external finance amongst small firms stabilised in 2024 as businesses increasingly welcome using finance for growth. The Bank found that external finance use fell slightly in 2024, stabilising after a 'sharp increase' in 2023. The proportion of small firms open to using external finance grew by 5% to 38% in 2024. However, 19% of businesses who stated they were open to using external finance to grow believe it would be difficult to secure it. Commenting on the matter, Richard Bearman, Chief Development Officer at the British Business Bank, said: 'In the face of a challenging economic environment, it is encouraging that use of external finance has remained stable. 'This year's Nations and Regions Tracker also indicates that optimism is brewing for small businesses and we hope to see this reflected in their use of external finance in the near future.'