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This fourth edition monitors SMEs’ and entrepreneurs’ access to finance in 34 countries over the period 2007-13, across an expanded array of indicators, including debt, equity, asset-based finance and framework conditions. These are complemented by an overview of recent developments in public and private initiatives to support SME finance, and a special focus on non-performing loans. The report aims to provide a comprehensive framework for policy makers and other stakeholders to evaluate the financing needs of SMEs.

This chapter analyses trends in SME and entrepreneurship finance over 2007-13, based on data collected for the country Scoreboards and information from demand-side surveys. A short overview of the global business environment sets the framework for the analysis of SME financing trends and conditions, focusing in particular on the changes which occurred in participating countries between 2012 and 2013. These recent developments are compared with trends during the 2008-09 crisis and early recovery stages. The pre-crisis year 2007 serves as a benchmark. The chapter concludes with an overview of government policy responses put in place to improve SMEs’ access to finance in light of recent developments.

Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs provides a framework to monitor trends in SMEs’ and entrepreneurs’ access to finance – at the country level and internationally – and a tool to support the formulation and evaluation of policies.

More than half a decade after the onset of the global economic and financial crisis, start-ups and small firms continue to face important challenges in obtaining finance, a key ingredient to their development. As governments around the world strive to achieve growth that is sustainable and inclusive, there is a pressing need to find solutions that enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs to fulfil their role in boosting investment, creating jobs and achieving social cohesion.

This chapter examines the issue of non-performing loans (NPLs) and their impact on SME lending and financial stability. It draws on findings from four editions of Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs: An OECD Scoreboard, the economic literature and country experiences. The chapter highlights the challenges in analysing NPLs, given the wide differences in definition and classification of these loans. It includes case studies provided by experts from countries participating in the OECD Scoreboard.

Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2015 monitors SMEs’ and entrepreneurs’ access to finance in 34 countries over the period 2007-13, based on data from central banks and national statistical agencies. The Scoreboard includes indicators of debt, equity, asset-based finance and framework conditions for SME and entrepreneurship finance, complemented by demand-side information and recent developments in public and private initiatives to support SME finance. Taken together, these indicators form a comprehensive framework for policy makers and other stakeholders to evaluate the financing needs of SMEs and determine whether they are being met. The Scoreboard also constitutes a valuable tool to support the design and evaluation of policy measures, and to monitor the implications of financial reforms on access to finance and financing conditions for SMEs.