M&A in 2009 was soft at best.  The continuing tepid lending environment combined with a general malaise and caution led to record levels of deals falling out during the year.  Deals did get done, and I was pleased that through some hard work some of my own got done, but the industry overall was quiet.  There is pent up demand for M&A, at the lower end of the middle market and within the middle market , to resume to more normalized levels in 2010 and beyond.This Media Post article gives one view of the industry returning to a more normalized state.To learn more about how your business is prepared for 2010, feel free to contact us for a free consultation on your business valuation, exit planning and/or mid-market diverstiture needs.