Just try it. Small business loans require collateral.
Banks aren't in the business of betting on the success or failure of companies. They're in the business of liquidity.
Fair enough. You're probably right. I haven't tried it, after all.
I was actually thinking in terms of personal loans, which have less onerous collateral requirements since the debtor can't simply walk away from the loan, but I guess I am making assumptions about the creditworthiness of the founders in that instance, too.
It does kind of beggar belief that a couple of smart middle class kids with an obviously working business plan couldn't get someone to loan them a few grand. I guess you can't count on it, though. Point ceded.
Conservatism is rife in the banking sector at the moment but at the same time, making loans is their job, after all.