Over the short term it's likely that a lack of liquidity in the marketplace will continue as banks toughen their stance on lending policies and required covenants. We keep hearing that "the doors are open for business", but it seems every time we stand in front of the sliding door the infra-red trigger is turned off.
As a result, funding the purchase of a business using debt instruments has become significantly harder and an exit from business through a management buyout (MBO) may become a more attractive option as the external buyer pool shrinks.