STATUS AND PROSPECTS OF LENDING TO SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in the functioning of the socio-economic system of the country. The full implementation of innovation and social functions by small and medium-sized enterprises can help Ukraine's economy emerge from the systemic crisis exacerbated by the consequences of quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlights the need for state support for this segment of the economy. However, one of the main obstacles to the development of entrepreneurship is the lack of own funds, which exacerbates its need for borrowed resources, especially in bank loans. The current practice of lending to small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine in order to determine its key parameters and efficiency in conditions of limited financial resources and increase the turbulence of the institutional environment is analyzed in the article. The legally regulated distribution of business entities depending on the number of employees and income from any activity for the year is considered. It is proved that small and medium business, as an institutional sector of Ukraine's economy, is dominant in the number and volume of products sold and plays an important social role - provides jobs and income for the majority of the population. The number of operating enterprises in Ukraine, the volume of products (goods, services) sold by them and the number of employees by the size of the business entity in 2018-2020 are considered, the share of each group is determined. The current state of bank lending to small and medium-sized businesses is analyzed. The structure and dynamics of loans granted by banks of Ukraine, other financial corporations, non-financial corporations and natural persons-entrepreneurs according to the size of the business entity are considered. According to the results of monitoring interest rates on new loans, it is proved that large business in Ukraine is lent at lower rates than small and medium enterprises. The main types of financial state support for small and medium enterprises in Ukraine are considered. The need to develop a comprehensive approach to creating a favorable environment for the development of lending to small and medium-sized businesses is substantiated.