It’s become conventional wisdom that tight lending by banks is at the heart of the problems for small business. Conventional? Yes. Wisdom? Maybe not.

Actually, there’s evidence that the banks might not be so stingy after all. In fact, just the idea that banks are being tight-fisted may be what’s scaring off a lot of companies looking for capital.

Consider that a whopping 82% of small businesses never even bothered to seek lending from banks in 2012, according to the SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard.

Even more surprising? Of those who did ask for loans, about 68% got the OK from banks.

A political note: About 60% of small business owners surveyed in the scorecard say they’re voting for Mitt Romney in the upcoming presidential election. A similar percentage said they had more confidence in Romney’s ability to create jobs than in President Obama’s ability.