SME Lending: Global Trends in 2022
In this report, we explore the current state of SME lending across the world, including insights into the lending gap, what solutions may be emerging, and the technology trends on the horizon.
SMEs are an important part of the global economy. However, they are usually overlooked and are not getting the support or funding they need to thrive.
Very often, due to innate process complexities, SME lending is seen as a low priority topic for banks. Financial institutions still have not found a quick and reliable way to help small businesses flourish, and regulatory and risk-related constraints have prevented banks from approving loans. Additionally, manual processes and legacy systems make SME lending risky and unprofitable.
But while the SME lending gap may sound like a crisis, we believe that it is in fact an opportunity for both challengers and incumbents to introduce innovative new methods of getting smaller businesses the money they need to grow.
Traditional banks will need to look for alternative ways to create innovative lending products if they are to compete for customers with Fintech lenders in the evolving gig economy. Banks should be looking at tailoring products and services to different needs and creating new solutions.
Ed Herman
Head of Financial Services Institutions with Microsoft Global