Private money is still out there. There’s a group, First American Financial Management Co., in Charlotte looking for small banks. They recently bought Community Bank of Rowan last week for about $16 million.

So, if you have the right kind business opportunity you can find private investors interested in funding your business. 

Tony Plath, banking and finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said that private investors usually wait until the banks hit bottom before they invest. Right now private-equity groups are beginning to get into the banking community, and that’s an indication that the recession is reaching the bottom.

For more information see Charlotte private-equity groups on the hunt for small banks.

If you think that private money could help your business, then  Access to Private Money may be able to get you to funding you want.