The document discusses developing a uniform credit rating system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to improve their access to financing. It notes that SMEs often fail due to financial reasons and poor management. Currently, banks evaluate SMEs differently without a standardized approach. The document proposes creating an SME Credit Rating system that would develop uniform rating parameters and a process to assess SMEs. This would provide a more comprehensive and reliable evaluation of SMEs for financiers, improve data on SME performance, and increase SME access to more affordable credit.

1. SME Industry Credit Rating Creating an aligned rating system for SME Banking SME Forum 2008 Ahsan Ali

2. SMEs – Basic Ingredient The Entreprenuer is the basic building block of any economy

3. SME’s – Reasons for failure Single biggest reason is attributable to the world of finance

4. SME’s – Poor Financial Management (Detailed Analysis ) Access to financing is the biggest issue faced by SME’s Bank’s perceived as part of the problem rather than a solution

5. SMEs – The Bank’s Perspective How do you evaluate SME’s?

6. SMEs – The Need AND

7. SME – UCR (Key Reasons) No uniformity in the basis of assessment Cost of credit (probability of default) high because of lack of data High Rating Cost/No access to rating agencies Greater Access to Credit Peer and industry comparison possible Lower Rating Cost Databases on rating transitions and SME performance Linkages of downstream industries with major industries not analysed

8. SME – UCR ( Rating Process)

10. Credit Rating Financial Analysis Valuation Financials Profile GOAL Risk Assessment Credit Models SME – UCR (Difficulties in developing a UCR)

12. Global / Regional Players to Focus on SME Sector

13. Case Study - NIB Approach

14. Thank you

15. Appendix