Impediments to SME Access to Finance and Credit Guarantee Schemes in China

32 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2004

See all articles by Yibin Mu

Yibin Mu

International Monetary Fund; Harvard University; World Bank

Date Written: December 18, 2003

Abstract

This paper first analyzes the major impediments for SMEs in China to access finance. It then examines the evolution, categories, legal basis, operating characteristics, and key concerns of credit guarantee schemes (CGSs) in China. Finally, it provides some thoughts on how to make China's CGS sustainable. The author argues that the lack of collateral, credit information and economies of scale of SME loans, coupled with high political risks associated with SME loans are the four major impediments for China's SME finance. The author also argues that with the support and encouragement from the central government, CGSs in China have become important tools for local governments to ensure credits to SMEs. CGSs promote the flow of finance to SMEs by acknowledging SMEs' limited ability to provide acceptable collaterals, by circumventing interest rate controls, and by mitigating risks caused by the poor credit analysis and pricing skills of banks whose loans are to be guaranteed. Sustainable development and proper functioning of CGSs in China, however, may be impeded by government intervention, lack of sound prudential supervision and regulation, as well as interest rate control.

Keywords: Credit enhancement, Access to finance, SME finance, Banking

JEL Classification: G1, G2, O53, P53

Suggested Citation

Mu, Yibin, Impediments to SME Access to Finance and Credit Guarantee Schemes in China (December 18, 2003). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=486204 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.486204

Yibin Mu (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund ( email )

1700 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Harvard University ( email )

Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

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