State Aid to Banks and Credit for SMEs: Is There a Need for Conditionality?

Studio 16-02-2015

This study assesses whether a condition which requires ailing banks or groups of ailing banks that receive State aid to maintain or to provide additional access to finance small and medium-sized enterprises legally justified and economically beneficial. The relevant cases have been examined and the link to SME lending has been analysed in a qualitative and a quantitative way. An overview table of the cases analysis is provided in the Annex. This study was prepared by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).