{"id":789609,"date":"2025-07-29T10:20:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T07:20:30","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-12-10T11:28:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T09:28:15","slug":"yak-msb-otsinyuyut-dostup-do-finansuvannya-v-ukrayini-doslidzhennya-eva-ta-ukrsibbank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/yak-msb-otsinyuyut-dostup-do-finansuvannya-v-ukrayini-doslidzhennya-eva-ta-ukrsibbank\/","title":{"rendered":"How SMEs assess access to finance in Ukraine \u2013 EBA and UKRSIBBANK survey"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"587\">UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, in collaboration with the European Business Association, has conducted a survey titled &#8220;Access to Finance for SMEs.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"587\">The survey involved sole proprietors representing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises participating in the Unlimit Ukraine project.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"587\">The findings reflect business demand for and access to financing, loan offers, grants, and the obstacles hindering investment attraction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"976\">The majority of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine currently require financing. In particular, 59% expressed interest in long-term financing \u2013 for example, to purchase equipment, vehicles, or for other investment purposes. Additionally, 40% require short-term funding, such as overdrafts or credit limits, to support ongoing operations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"978\" data-end=\"994\"><a href=\"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Access-to-Finance-for-SMEs-2025.pdf\">PRESENTATION<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"996\" data-end=\"1216\">Only a small proportion of entrepreneurs (19% for long-term, and 5% for short-term) anticipate needing extra financing after the war ends. Notably, only 9% of respondents stated they do not need any additional resources.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1218\" data-end=\"1561\">Despite strong demand, access to finance from the banking system remains a significant barrier for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. A total of 38% of respondents believe it is currently difficult to obtain credit, while a further 14% see lending as entirely inaccessible. Only 6% reported having access to multiple opportunities and offers from banks.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1604\">The main barriers to finance include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High interest rates \u2013 cited by 67% of respondents<\/li>\n<li>Collateral requirements \u2013 a barrier for 43% of entrepreneurs<\/li>\n<li>Complicated application procedures \u2013 31%<\/li>\n<li>Lack of suitable financial products \u2013 26%<\/li>\n<li>Other notable challenges include insufficient awareness of available opportunities (13%), insufficient volumes of financial products (15%), and poor credit histories (16%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2156\">Additional constraints mentioned by respondents include age-based discrimination in financing, as well as limited access for businesses operating near frontline areas.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2592\">Among the survey participants, 60% are not currently engaged in foreign trade. Of those involved, 17% engage in both imports and exports, 12% export only, and 11% import only. When choosing a bank for foreign trade operations, entrepreneurs prioritise reputation and reliability, speed of transaction approvals, attractive offers, service convenience and quality, pricing policy, and transparency.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2639\" data-end=\"2890\">When selecting banking products, most entrepreneurs (83%) are interested in unsecured loans. However, only 18% are unconditionally ready to provide collateral. A majority (52%) are willing to offer partial collateral, while 30% are entirely unwilling.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2892\" data-end=\"3052\">Despite their stated need for funding, 44% of businesses are not currently utilising any specific credit programmes. Among those that are, the most popular are working capital loans \u2013 25%, government \u201c5-7-9%\u201d programme \u2013 21%, unsecured overdrafts \u2013 17%, credit card limits \u2013 16%. Other types of loans, such as for equipment, vehicles, or commercial real estate, are less common.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3339\" data-end=\"3569\">Over a third of businesses (38%) do not use external funding at all. Of those that do, the majority attract relatively small amounts: 26% secure between $10,000\u201350,000 annually, and 18% up to $10,000. Only 6% obtain over $100,000.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3571\" data-end=\"3879\">Among the current financial products used by entrepreneurs, loans dominate \u2013 used by 54% of respondents. Grants have been received by 32%. Other instruments such as leasing (7%), bank guarantees (10%), tender guarantees (7%), letters of credit (5%), and collection services (2%) are used far less frequently.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3931\" data-end=\"4174\">Survey respondents believe grant programmes should currently focus on start-ups or new business lines, staff training and development, recovery support, working capital replenishment, export-oriented industries, innovation, and digitalisation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4176\" data-end=\"4564\">A significant issue is the low level of awareness about documentary instruments such as bank and tender guarantees, letters of credit, and collection services: 62% of respondents do not understand how they work. Consequently, 82% do not use them at all. Only 10% use bank guarantees, 7% use tender guarantees, 5% use letters of credit, 2% use collection, and just 1% use bill avalisation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4729\">According to respondents, documentary instruments are most frequently used for tenders, working capital financing, foreign trade, and contracts without prepayment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4731\" data-end=\"4893\">This area has development potential: 25% of businesses have needs that could be addressed through such instruments but are currently financed through other means.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"5332\">Almost half (45%) of companies operate without deferred payments, opting to pay immediately. Among those that do use deferrals, the most common terms are 15\u201330 days (21%) and up to 14 days (20%). Longer terms (over 30 days) are used by 13% of respondents. In most businesses (56%), only 1\u201324% of contracts involve deferred payments. Notably, 44% of businesses report that 90\u2013100% of such payments are made on time.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5367\" data-end=\"5634\">Entrepreneurs are keen on digitalising banking services: 68% would prefer to apply for loans online \u2013 47% via internet banking, and 21% via mobile app. Only 15% prefer visiting a branch, and 18% would opt for a hybrid approach (online application, in-branch signing).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5669\" data-end=\"5747\">To simplify access to finance, entrepreneurs believe the following would help lower interest rates \u2013 74%, removal of collateral requirements \u2013 60%, simplified document submission \u2013 57%, tailored financial offers \u2013 50%.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Businesses are most interested in the following loan programmes this year:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Working capital loans \u2013 43%<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Programmes by international institutions (EBRD, EIB, etc.) \u2013 33%<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Government \u201c5-7-9%\u201d programme \u2013 31%<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Unsecured overdrafts \u2013 26%<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"6009\">Equipment purchase loans \u2013 20%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6217\" data-end=\"6305\">It is important to note that 24% of entrepreneurs do not plan to take out loans in 2025.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6330\" data-end=\"6773\">Regarding ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles, which assess a company\u2019s environmental, social, and governance impact for sustainable development, around 33% of companies are partially implementing them, while 28% consider them foundational to their operations. However, 23% of respondents lack sufficient understanding of ESG, 9% do not apply these principles, and 6% are not yet applying them but are interested in the topic.<\/p>\n\t<div class=\"blockquote-custom-big animate-block animate-block--before animate-block--to-right\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Olena_Ayrault.png\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"name\">Olena Ero<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"position\">Head of the Unlimit Ukraine project of the European Business Association<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"blockquote-custom\">\n\t\t\t\tThe survey results show that Ukrainian entrepreneurs have a strong demand for finance but face significant barriers, such as high interest rates and collateral requirements. Low awareness of documentary instruments highlights important areas for financial product development. Supporting SME growth in Ukraine requires coordinated efforts from banks, the government, and educational initiatives focused on lowering barriers, developing flexible products, and improving entrepreneurs\u2019 financial literacy.\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:252}\"> \t<div class=\"blockquote-custom-big animate-block animate-block--before animate-block--to-right\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/M5D_9126-rotated-e1721913155286.jpg\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"name\">Andrii Kashperuk<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"position\">Deputy Head of the Board for Retail Business, UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"blockquote-custom\">\n\t\t\t\tUkrainian businesses are demonstrating remarkable resilience. Despite the full-scale war, entrepreneurs are seeking growth opportunities and launching new ventures. The interest in financing recorded by our joint study with the EBA is evidence that business believes in the future, sustains the economy, and strengthens the country. As a bank with international expertise and shareholders like BNP Paribas Group and the EBRD, it\u2019s vital for us to understand these sentiments and needs to offer relevant solutions. UKRSIBBANK has the tools to support businesses, and we are open to partnerships to help entrepreneurs move forward.\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8173\" data-end=\"8200\"><strong data-start=\"8173\" data-end=\"8200\">For reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8202\" data-end=\"8683\">The survey was conducted from 22 May to 9 June 2025 and involved 110 participants from the Unlimit Ukraine project of the European Business Association (individual entrepreneurs). Of the respondents, 29% have been in business for less than 5 years, 20% for 5\u201310 years, 32% for 10\u201320 years, and 19% for more than 20 years. 49% of respondents belong to Group 3 of sole proprietors, 37% to Group 2. 40% are based in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. The study partner is UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, in collaboration with the European Business Association, has conducted a survey titled &#8220;Access to Finance for SMEs.&#8221; The survey involved sole proprietors representing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises participating in the Unlimit Ukraine project. The findings reflect business demand for and access to financing, loan offers, grants, and the obstacles hindering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33544,"featured_media":660408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15564,15563,15574,15590,15572],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-789609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lobbying-news-en","category-main-news-en","category-news-and-articles-from-association-en","category-research-and-analysis-en","category-unlimitukraine-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33544"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=789609"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789609\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/660408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=789609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=789609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.eba.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=789609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}