In the first quarter of this year, the overall amount of financing received by responding small firms improved from the fourth quarter of 2010, though firms in construction and real estate continued to receive less credit than firms in other industries. Small business optimism—as measured by anticipated increases in sales, capital expenditures, and employees—has continued to improve since the second quarter of 2010. Optimism is greatest in younger firms (in operation for fewer than seven years), though young firms were more likely to cite a variety of obstacles to credit access and to be reluctant to seek credit.

The Atlanta Fed administers the survey of businesses with fewer than 500 employees each quarter to gather information on trends in credit access and other issues relevant to small business.

You can read the complete report online. If you own or manage a small business and would like to become an Atlanta Fed contact, register online.