Displaying Reports and Figures
Displaying Reports and Figures
Quarterly report
05 March 2026
This is the second Economic Intelligence Wales quarterly report for 2025/26. The report reviews economic data relevant to SME development in Wales and a summary of the investment activities of the Development Bank of Wales for Q2 2025/26.

The report outlines major investment plans for Wales which are expected to lead to new economic activity in Wales during 2026, at a time when UK labour markets appear to be weakening. It also highlights an increase in SME lending from high street banks and a rebound in the Welsh construction sector, though it still lags behind the broader UK.
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Quarterly report
05 March 2026
This is the second Economic Intelligence Wales quarterly report for 2025/26. The report reviews economic data relevant to SME development in Wales and a summary of the investment activities of the Development Bank of Wales for Q2 2025/26.

The report outlines major investment plans for Wales which are expected to lead to new economic activity in Wales during 2026, at a time when UK labour markets appear to be weakening. It also highlights an increase in SME lending from high street banks and a rebound in the Welsh construction sector, though it still lags behind the broader UK.
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Welsh landscape
Welsh landscape
Wales SME Access to Finance Report
04 February 2026
Economic Intelligence Wales has been collaborating with the British Business Bank to better understand the differences between sub-national access to finance. 

The report analyses results from a survey of almost 500 Welsh SMEs, which found that 17% of Welsh SMEs reported requiring additional financing over the next 12 months. Businesses in North Wales and South West Wales were most likely to require finance over the next year.
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Wales SME Access to Finance Report
04 February 2026
Economic Intelligence Wales has been collaborating with the British Business Bank to better understand the differences between sub-national access to finance. 

The report analyses results from a survey of almost 500 Welsh SMEs, which found that 17% of Welsh SMEs reported requiring additional financing over the next 12 months. Businesses in North Wales and South West Wales were most likely to require finance over the next year.
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Wales
Wales
FinTech, relationship banking and lending to SMEs
21 January 2026
Economic Intelligence Wales commissioned Cardiff Business School to examine how FinTech affects SME access to credit and relationship banking in Wales through a survey of over 200 Welsh SMEs.

The study shows that strong, long‑standing banking relationships continue to support businesses while digital innovation is creating new opportunities for improved communication and faster access to funding.
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FinTech, relationship banking and lending to SMEs
21 January 2026
Economic Intelligence Wales commissioned Cardiff Business School to examine how FinTech affects SME access to credit and relationship banking in Wales through a survey of over 200 Welsh SMEs.

The study shows that strong, long‑standing banking relationships continue to support businesses while digital innovation is creating new opportunities for improved communication and faster access to funding.
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Wales
Wales
Productive investment decisions in Welsh firms
10 December 2025
Economic Intelligence Wales commissioned the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) to produce this report on the patterns, motivations, and decision-making processes of Welsh businesses making significant investments of £5,000 or more between 2019 and 2024.

The analysis shows that Welsh firms share many investment behaviours with the rest of the UK, but the informality of investment planning and evaluation in Wales could impact returns and productivity gains.
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Productive investment decisions in Welsh firms
10 December 2025
Economic Intelligence Wales commissioned the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) to produce this report on the patterns, motivations, and decision-making processes of Welsh businesses making significant investments of £5,000 or more between 2019 and 2024.

The analysis shows that Welsh firms share many investment behaviours with the rest of the UK, but the informality of investment planning and evaluation in Wales could impact returns and productivity gains.
View report
Displaying Reports and Figures
Displaying Reports and Figures
Annual report
03 September 2025
This is the seventh Economic Intelligence Wales annual report. The report reviews economic data relevant to SME development in Wales and a summary of the investment activities of the Development Bank of Wales for 2024/25.

Prospects for SMEs in Wales continue to be affected by factors that shape UK and international growth. These factors impact the demand for external finance for investment, industrial output, business optimism, and commercial banks' lending appetite.
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Annual report
03 September 2025
This is the seventh Economic Intelligence Wales annual report. The report reviews economic data relevant to SME development in Wales and a summary of the investment activities of the Development Bank of Wales for 2024/25.

Prospects for SMEs in Wales continue to be affected by factors that shape UK and international growth. These factors impact the demand for external finance for investment, industrial output, business optimism, and commercial banks' lending appetite.
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Research
Research
Covid-19 Welsh Government financial interventions
09 May 2024
This final report in a long-term programme of research includes further survey evidence and a summary of the impacts of Welsh Government Covid-19 financial support to businesses.
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Covid-19 Welsh Government financial interventions
09 May 2024
This final report in a long-term programme of research includes further survey evidence and a summary of the impacts of Welsh Government Covid-19 financial support to businesses.
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Welsh construction sector output continues to grow

About

Economic Intelligence Wales collates and analyses data to create independent, robust and reliable insight to help better understand and improve the Welsh economy.

Authors

An overview of the Economic Intelligence Wales representatives and other academic researchers who have authored reports or are currently working on commissioned reports.

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A unique research collaboration between the Development Bank, Cardiff Business School, Bangor Business School, the Enterprise Research Centre and the Office for National Statistics