SME lending growth has resumed in recent years, and access to external finance for SMEs appears to have improved, particularly in advanced economies.

The FSB (Financial Stability Board) has delivered a report to the G20 examining the effects of the post-crisis regulatory reforms on SME financing.

The evaluation is part of a broader FSB examination of the effects of the G20 reforms on financial intermediation. It draws on a broad range of information sources and extensive stakeholder feedback, some of which suggests that SME financing trends are largely driven by factors other than financial regulation, such as public policies and macroeconomic conditions.

The report says SME lending growth has resumed in recent years, and access to external finance for SMEs also appears to have improved, particularly in advanced economies. However, volumes remain below pre-crisis levels in some jurisdictions.