Women seeking to start their own businesses still struggle to access the capital they need. Not only do many entrepreneurs lack access to networks of equity investors and venture capital, but they also receive less than 6 percent of bank loans—even though 43 percent of SMEs are led by women. What steps are financial institutions taking to support women entrepreneurs? Are there new strategies yet to be explored, and what policies may be needed to support them?

Moderator

Jo Ling Kent
Business and Technology Correspondent, NBC News

Speakers

Maria Contreras-Sweet
24th Administrator, US Small Business Administration; Managing Partner, Rockway Equity Partners; Director, Sempra Energy

Ita Ekpoudom
Partner, GingerBread Capital

Nicole Elam
President and CEO, National Bankers Association

Marianne Markowitz
President and CEO, First Women's Bank

Winslow Sargeant
Senior Advisor for Globalization and Head of Capital Markets, Genaesis, LLC.