Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have finally found a way to get hold of bank loans.
Banks have reported an increasing volume of loans to small- and medium-sized companies for the first half of 2004. Smaller businesses have gained the confidence of lenders and the entire sector has been improving.
Ceska sporitelna lent Kc 10.4 billion (US$400m) to companies with an annual turnover of about Kc1 billion in the first half of 2004, an increase of 41 per cent compared to last year. In the same period the bank lent a further Kc 5 billion to entrepreneurs and small business with a turnover below Kc 30 million. The bank has also established special commercial centres in each of the country's regions to provide loans.
