This VRL report tackles the main issues concerning best practice in SME banking
It analyses the ways in which banks approach SME's in terms of outreach, offering and risk-based considerations
It contains extensive data, a number of global case studies and a comparison of SME banking practices in developed and developing countries
Product and risk implications are analysed with regard to the gap between established and emerging markets
Summary
The majority (95 percent) of firms operating around the world are, in fact, SME's with European and Chinese SME's contributing 99.8 percent of the total. According to the World Bank, the SME sector can contribute to the GDP of high income countries by as much as 51 percent as opposed to middle and low income countries, where SME's produce up to 39 percent and 16 percent of local GDP. Moving to emerging Eastern economies, Indian SME output represents 45 percent of industrial production and 40 percent of total exports. Even more staggering is the contribution of Chinese SME's to the creation of the national taxable profit, 40 percent of total production. Judging from these figures, obstacles to funding means forcing SME's to downsize their businesses and ultimately exert a major influence on their country's wealth.
European and US SME's are still relatively well served (only between 12-14 percent of the high-income OECD countries are underserved or financially constrained), but economic conditions for businesses are getting tougher. SME's from emerging markets are equipped with more solid growth-driven potential. This growing involvement in new SME markets will, based on country specific evidence, contribute substantially to a bank's revenue. For example, Malaysian banks with a significant SME portfolio are expecting higher revenue growth due to a set of government projects deployed across the country to boost the economy.
Scope
A look at the moves being taken to serve the needs of SME's globally
Both bank and government sentiment to this sector is analysed
The sector's profitability is examined
Case studies embrace microfinance institutions, municipal banks and world bodies
Risk management and credit scoring is discussed in depth
Reasons To Buy
By reading this report you will:
Understand the crucial role of SME's and the need to serve them
Investigate the drivers and barriers to SME engagement
Overcome obstacles to engagement with SME's
Understand the legislation driving SME best practice
Succeed in serving the SME segment
Develop an effective product offering
Read global case studies
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1 An overview of the SME Landscape
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Sales volume as the only criterion in use among Argentinean and Chilean banks
1.3 Alternative criteria for banks to identify SMEs
1.4 The crucial role of the SME
1.5 The large composite European SME reality
1.6 The US
1.7 Japan
1.8 Business confidence rising across emerging SME markets
2 SME banking practises and banks' approach to SMEs
2.1Changing the habit of a lifetime: how banks see SMEs as a risky venture
2.2 From treacherous to temptress: banks see SMEs as viable opportunities
2.3 How banks can meet the financial needs of an SME
2.4 The luxury of (no) choice: how the size of an SME often prohibits access to finance
2.5 Oil-based economies can undermine the scope of SME lending opportunities
2.6 For banks to optimally serve the SME sector, they should develop dedicated internal units
2.7 The implementation of internal SME units follows a common denominator throughout the world
2.8 The adoption of SME units by MENA banks is more variegated
3 Best SME banking practices: Actors, Drivers and Barriers
3.1 The most active players in the Western SME Banking System
3.2 The US SME banking system is one of the least concentrated in the Industrialized World
3.3 The oligopolistic UK SME banking sector
3.4 The duopoly established in the Scottish SME market
3.5 The European Investment Bank as one of the most committed actors in the European SME banking market
3.6 The EIB has become increasingly involved in the SME sector
3.7 Lending a hand: The European Investment Fund as the combined effort of European banks
3.8 Factors that are peaking the interests of the European banks
3.9 World Bank case studies: exploring emerging markets
3.10 SMEs account for a large fraction of banks' customer base
3.11 David vs Goliath: large banks are the predominant players in this emerging SME market
3.12 Asian SMEs: a review
3.13 Don't touch that dial: MENA banks follow a variety of channel-related patterns
3.14 Understanding what influences SME banking practices in emerging markets - potential profits prove to be the over-riding factor
3.15 Best practices in SME banking often begin with large Corporations
3.16 The profitability of the SME segment is behind MENA banks' practices
3.17 Obstacles between SMEs and banks are more plentiful than openings
4 Best practices when serving the SME segment
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The need for banks' specialisation
4.3 How to succeed in serving the SME segment
4.4 The International Finance Corporation as a significant example of an SME lender operating within emerging markets
4.5 Worldwide case studies
4.5.1 Microfinance institutions serving the lower end of the SME segment
4.5.2 Microfinance initiatives have started to prioritise profit-seeking plans
4.5.3 Community, co-operative and municipal banks
4.5.4 Equity funds
4.6 Summary
5 Understanding SME products and services to optimise banks' practices
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Banks' challenges in developing an effective product offering
5.3 The weak legal framework of MENA countries behind traditional products
5.4 A wider scope of the products offered to SMEs
5.5 The contribution of SME products and services to the banks' revenues