Smart money on small buyout firms?

The big boys in the private equity game are struggling a bit, but not so much for the little guys. Smaller private equity firms have been chugging along. They generally rely on leverage less to close deals and thus haven't been slammed as hard. Firms that target transactions of around $100 million or less tend to rely on bank financing, and that spigots appear to be open. For now, the most competition comes from venture capital funds. But small buyout firms can offer some advantages. I think it is only a matter for time before the big boys to find a way to profit from the middle market.  

For more:
- here's the Financial News Online article

Related article:
- What should banks do about buyout loans?