The Future of Business Survey in collaboration with Member World Bank, Facebook and OECD provides monthly data on the economic environment for SMEs around the world. Key findings in the publication included:

• In nearly every country and region, women report using bank loans less frequently than men do, instead relying on personal savings and spousal funds to start their businesses. 
• Gender plays a negative and significant role, especially among smaller firms where gender gaps are larger.
• Policymakers and banks should focus on programs that can help to close gender gaps that address potential cultural barriers and promote gender-neutral lending. Training programs to help female enterprises grow beyond single-person businesses could also be bolstered to highlight the virtuous circle between growth and access to finance.