SME Access to Finance

Globalisation, new competition rules and Basel II (risk related regulatory capital for banks) are changing the market for credits and loans. Access to finance is considered as one of the most important problems for SMEs in Europe. UEAPME tries to influence the new regulations and to improve the instruments, which supports SME's access to finance.

Read the Industry Council's recommendations on the code of conduct between Banks and SMEs

Position Papers

• March 2008: UEAPME comments on the first draft of the EIB “Findings and conclusions” of the SME Consultation 2007/2008

• October 2004: UEAPME's Position Paper on SME access to finance

• July 2004: UEAPME Position Paper on the Future of SME finance

• October 2003: UEAPMEs comments on the 3rd Consultative Document issued by the European Commission

• July 2003: Position paper on the 3rd Consultative Document issued by the Basel Committee

• January 2003: Basel II: UEAPME's position paper on the Commission's Working Document (Nov 18th 2002)

Press releases

• 28/09/05: Risk capital rules made more user-friendly for small businesses

• 13/07/05: Decision on Capital Requirements Directive an important step forward

• 23/04/05: Basel II Directive made more positive for SMEs by Parliament report

• 28/10/04: Unlocking the doors to SME finance: UEAPME presents recommendations to decision-makers

• 06/10/04: Revised Capital Adequacy Directive: still room for improvement, UEAPME argues

• 06/07/04: BASEL II: Commission's directive will determine long-term effects of new agreement on Banks and SMEs

• 17/12/03: Code of conduct between banks and SMEs: UEAPME deplores failure of negotiations and will look for alternatives aussi disponible en Français

• 09/10/03: Growth initiative: UEAPME calls on Heads of State to include credit guarantees for SMEs
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• 31/07/03: Basle II: UEAPME welcomes agreement and asks for adequate transposition into EU law

Projects & Links

• The future of SME finance- Basel II for SMEs