Translated material
“It’s too early to talk about the widespread emergence of enterprises from the shadows”
— How much, in your opinion, has the saturation of small and medium-sized businesses with banking products increased over the past year?
-- As the results of the study show, the total volume of loans to small and medium-sized businesses is about $5 billion, and its growth in 2006 was at the level of 40-50%. There is reason to believe that in 2007 the SME lending sector will be a record holder in terms of growth rates. However, at the same time, we have to state the fact that the needs of small and medium-sized businesses for borrowed funds are now satisfied by about 15-20%, which, on the one hand, indicates great prospects for this market, but on the other hand, indicates deficit of approximately 25-30 billion dollars. And taking into account the high growth rates of small businesses in Russia, we can safely say that in the near future the needs of this market will increase to 40 billion dollars. According to our forecasts, the growth rate of the sector will increase to 70-80 % next year, and it will increase dynamically over 5-7 years. After which it will be possible to talk about a fairly stable market structure and leaders in this segment, with the growth rate reducing to 30-35%.
-- What types of products are most in demand among small companies?
-- Among the existing loan products of Sobinbank OJSC, it is difficult to single out those that are in greatest demand, because each of them is relevant for a specific sector of the economy in which a particular SME operates. For trade enterprises, the most popular are “Revolving Loan” and “Overdraft”, which allow borrowers to increase trade turnover and thereby gain additional profit. It should be noted that a loan in the form of an overdraft of up to 6 million rubles. Possible to obtain without collateral. Such products are in demand by those enterprises whose activities have a short-term cash gap in payment turnover.
For manufacturing enterprises, the most popular loan products are “Equipment on credit” or “Loan secured by commercial real estate.” These loan products allow borrowers to purchase expensive fixed assets and provide long-term financing for working capital. Such a loan product as “Loan secured by motor transport equipment” is in demand by borrowers from various fields of activity - trade, production, and services. It is aimed both at financing the needs of clients in the field of purchasing vehicles, and at solving financial problems by pledging vehicles.
In August, Sobinbank expanded its line with unique loan products that are intended for those small and medium-sized businesses who would like to start their own business under a well-known brand in the market or develop an existing business. In other words, these loan products are designed for aspiring or established franchisees. The loan amount can be up to 10 million rubles. to open a franchise business or up to 15 million rubles. for the development of the franchisee’s existing business. The term of such a loan is up to three years. The purpose of lending can be both financing working capital and investments in fixed assets, as well as carrying out repair work, a lump sum payment (payment for using the brand). It should be noted that these loan products in some cases may be secured by collateral not for the full loan amount, but only for 75% of the loan amount. Taking into account the global trends of globalization and, in connection with this, the increasing role of famous world brands in the market, we assume a high demand for these loan products among representatives of small and medium-sized businesses both in Moscow and in the regional centers of Russia.
Such a wide range of loan products makes it possible for each client to easily select the most suitable loan program, depending on the purpose and collateral.
-- Does market growth mean that the number of companies that can officially confirm their balance sheet has increased significantly? Or have banks improved their technology for assessing the creditworthiness of borrowers?
-- The adequacy of assessing the borrower's financial position remains one of the difficult issues for banks when lending to small and medium-sized businesses. In the current market conditions, it is difficult for banks to evaluate the business of borrowers due to the lack of transparency in the activities of small and medium-sized businesses. Taking this into account, our bank uses progressive lending technology, which allows us to adequately and, what is equally important, quickly assess the real size of credit risks. One of the key aspects of this technology is the assessment of the borrower’s creditworthiness, based on data on the real state of the client’s business and its management reporting. Our credit expert comes to the borrower and carries out a full range of creditworthiness assessments at the place of business. At the same time, the borrower is not required to draw up complex business plans or cash flow reports. The credit expert himself carries out the entire financial assessment based on primary data.
It should be noted that recently there has indeed been a certain tendency to increase the number of enterprises that can officially confirm their balance sheet, however, it is too early to talk about the widespread emergence of enterprises from the shadows. Published as an advertisement