Tackling Small and Medium Enterprise Problem Loans in Europe

Author/Editor:

Wolfgang Bergthaler ; Kenneth H Kang ; Yan Liu ; Dermot Monaghan

Publication Date:

March 30, 2015

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Staff Discussion Note represents the views of the authors and does not necessarily represent IMF views or IMF policy. The views expressed herein should be attributed to the authors and not to the IMF, its Executive Board, or its management. Staff Discussion Notes are published to elicit comments and to further debate.

Summary:

The global financial crisis has left a large private sector debt overhang and high levels of non- performing loans (NPLs) in several European countries. Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) represent a significant and weak segment of the nonfinancial corporate sector. SMEs face a number of legal, financial, and regulatory challenges to restructuring that differ from those of larger corporates, such as a rigid and costly insolvency regime, a higher fixed cost to loan restructuring, and the lack of alternative sources of financing. Given SMEs’ large presence and close links to the banking system, addressing the SME loan problem in Europe will be critical for strengthening bank and corporate balance sheets and supporting a more robust and sustained recovery.

Series:

Staff Discussion Notes No. 2015/004

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

March 30, 2015

ISBN/ISSN:

9781498384834/2617-6750

Stock No:

SDNEA201504

Pages:

38

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