• Hometap Equity Partners LLC survey of 1,000 US small business owners in 2026 found 78% concerned about economic conditions, yet 68% still expect business growth this year.
• Funding remains heavily self-directed, with 67% citing personal savings as primary capital source; credit cards 38%; bank loans 22%, pointing to limited penetration of institutional financing.
• Rising input costs ranked as top growth constraint at 20%, with tariffs prompting 55% of millennials to scale back investments versus 48% of Gen X, signaling uneven exposure to trade policy shifts.
• Gender gap emerged in financial resilience metrics, with 62% of men saying they could survive a downturn versus 45% of women; 72% of men said they could cover one month of operating costs in an emergency versus 56% of women.
• Home equity financing showed mixed demand, with flexibility and speed each cited by about 30% as key draws, while 25% said they would not consider it, rising to 40% among baby boomers.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Hometap Equity Partners LLC published the original content used to generate this news brief on May 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.