At a time when bank customers, including SMEs, are starting to look beyond banks to alternative sources of finance (Ernst and Young, 2013), women-led businesses are one of the potential future markets for banks’ lending development. In their responses to the survey, all banks stated that they have previously financed or are currently financing businesses owned by women. For example, at the time, Khaleeji Commercial Bank of Bahrain reported investment in 11 projects involving women-led businesses, and considers these interests as part of its broader strategy to penetrate new market segments and expand its presence in the region. The bank sees many opportunities for growing its business, not only in its domestic market, but also in the wider MENA region (Khaleeji, 2011).